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| I see many people with two graphs at the console and another at the bow. Why are there so many people with 2 at the console? One for GPS and one for sonar? I have a new boat and would like advice on setting it up. I was thinking two units, one for the bow and one for the console, both with GPS and sonar. I would like others thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks
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Location: 31 | I use 2 helm units, and then mainly for trolling, I'm not sure if I could justify the extra expense if I was mainly a caster. It's a definite asset to have the bigger screens, with better options and details for precision trolling… a clear advantage for me on the water. I like the redundancy at the helm in case either unit goes down too.
My #1 helm unit is designated structure scan (down and side), with the side scan screen feature maximized for better detail off either side of the boat. My #2 unit is designated GPS/sonar, with the GPS screen maximized for a larger viewing area, the sonar on the second unit is kind of redundant while the down scan is running on unit #1 while trolling (sometimes it's helpful to confirm what's being displayed on the other unit too).
However, once on plane the unit #1 structure scan function shuts down completely, so the sonar on unit #2 is needed for depth, it's also convenient being located right alongside the GPS while running. I do a lot of flipping through options on the GPS while trolling, and can do this seamlessly while viewing/fishing with the other unit. A really nice unforeseen side benefit for me is being able to use unit #1 to rest my arm on while operating/programming the GPS on unit #2 above.
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Posts: 2097
| Do what is in your price range IMO. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I have a skeeter mx 1825 I bought 2 Birds 1198 sii.
there hooked together along with the trolling motor. I would say comes down to what kind of boat you're buying and how much you have to spend
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| The boat came with 2-LMS 520c's and 1-HDS-5. I also Kept my 789ci si. I left the 859 Humminbird on my old boat and miss the 8" screen. So I've got plenty of units but would like to upgrade the 520's for one HDS 7 or similar. |
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Location: 31 | You would be better off setting up the boat with only the 2 HDS units, buying a display model is a good idea to get more bang for your buck.
Edited by Jerry Newman 11/22/2014 11:38 AM
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Posts: 403
Location: Lakeville, MN | its nice having 2 graphs linked together.. gps with chips is a must imo. it all depends on your budget though. |
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| Jerry Newman - 11/22/2014 11:35 AM
You would be better off setting up the boat with only the 2 HDS units, buying a display model is a good idea to get more bang for your buck.
So your're suggesting getting another HDS unit, and buying a display model wouldn't bother you a bit? (which I had a thread asking the question earlier). |
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Location: 31 | I read the other thread, and then added the endorsement.
I have been buying a Lowrance sponsored friends used hand me-downs for the last 3-4 years without any issues. Basically pay about half-price for these, so a lot of bang for the buck similar to the display models.
My routine has been to sell my old units on eBay for about the same money as I paid for them after updating, so I have a lot of experience buying/selling them. I recommend that before you buy that display unit though, do some due diligence and check out eBay because you might be able to get a brand-new unit for the same price. I've always found the best value there if I'm patient. The market is pretty soft this time of year, so I'll be selling my 2012 models on Ebay this spring.
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | I have one 7" at the bow and one at the console. They are linked together. But I have an extra power cable and ram ball installed at the console so I can run both at the console while trolling. Takes about 30 seconds to switch. Super handy in my opinion. |
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Posts: 292
| i run a tiller and have it set up to run 2 units in the back .mainly for me to use gps lake map on1 and fish finder for the other when i fish alone or troll im in the back of the boat. |
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Posts: 455
| The price between a mega screen and two smaller screens is not that big. Now just use one for gps one for sonar and you have a back up if one craps out. Also sometimes easier to mount and configure than one really large unit. I like looking at two separate screens rather than split but can`t really say why. |
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| So I sold 2 of the 3 Lowrance units that came with the boat. I purchased a new 859 for the bow connected to my Terrova. At the helm I have my 798 with side and down imaging Dash mounted. It's a pretty small screen and hard to read sometimes, especially on sunny days.
I have a 1" RAM mount just waiting for something to get mounted on it. I was thinking about a new Helix 7 for GPS and the existing 798 for sonar, side and down imaging.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
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Posts: 386
| It's all personal preference but I currently run an Alumacraft 185 Competitor tiller and during walleye season and early season trolling I run both units in the back....Humminbird 999 and 959. Once the water temps warm up a bit more and I start casting I move the 959 up front. If I were to do it again, I would have upgrade the 999 to an 1199 for when I'm running that solo in the back. Do what your budget allows, but if you can afford it, go bigger. |
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| Thanks, and I would love bigger!! One catch regarding the Helix 7 is that none of my Lake Master cards will work in it. The Helix uses a micro SD card!!!! So I will be looking for a 900 or 1100 series unit I think.
Thanks |
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Posts: 16
| I just got the new Lakemaster plus card and it comes in micro sd with sd adaptor. If you wanted to update your cards to work with Helix. |
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| I already have 2 Lake Master SD cards. I really don't want to buy a 3rd one. My plan is to use one of my existing cards in the new graph and just use the unit without the card for sonar only. |
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