If you only had one fish finder...

[TNDiver]

I am going to buy my first ever fish finder.  I was originally thinking I would have it on the console, but now thinking maybe I want it up front.  I have a deck boat with a bit of a front deck.  I have a new trolling motor too up front.  I am thinking about the Garmin Echo plus or maybe a Hummingbird.  I will be mostly on Old Hickory Lake and maybe sometimes on Piercy Priest with maybe a trip or two to Center Hill.  None have much grass.

I am thinking I would like both DS and SC, but how necessary are both for fishing?  I will have ~$700 to spend, but would like to spend less as I have another want/need.  I was hoping to take advantage of either Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals.

I am completely new to fish finders so any advice would be welcome.   

[Bud Kennedy]

Given the configuration of your deck boat, I would not recommend a side scan.  For trolling motor use in a basic format a unit with simple downscan capability would likely work best and be the easiest to install.  Later you may want to add a more capable unit to your helm with a transducer system installed on the transom.   GPS is always a welcome addition so you base sonar should have GPS capability with a built gps antenna.  I happen to use Humminbird and it works fine but not real robust when it comes to screen size.  Just consider screen size is important and makes it easier to see what the sonar is showing you.  I am sure Wayne P will have some good recommendations for you to consider.

[TNDiver]

I was thinking a 9" screen up front. So if I were to go DI up front and then would you do SI on console.  Would you use a smaller screen at the console since you are closer? 

Is there a way to have a unit at the console you could disconnect and take it up front with you?  I was wondering if you could do a splitter or something?

[coldfront]

will add this:  with limited funds, getting one with accurate mapping would be most helpful.  plus, you can always download maps on the computer and do 'desktop' study.  get a good look at contours, plan where you want to go.  then use your sonar to get you there.

if you put it on a RAM mount, you could/can swivel so you can reference from either at console or at front.  not ideal, but if you're dealing with limited options, it's one way to be a little creative.

here's a free site for desktop study.  you can always copy/print and write notes on the print outs as well.
https://webapp.navionics.com/#boating@6&key=%7B%7CquEzxbgO

if you choose HB, etc, I think you have options there as well.

[Princeton_Man]

There's advantages to both a console location and a bow location. There have been times when I only had one working fish finder/chartplotter and it was on the console. Since it was on a RAM mount I was able to turn it around to view from the bow while fishing.

You could buy a second mount and transducer then use one fishfinder in both locations. Have a Sidescan transducer mounted on back for scouting and marking spots, then have a downscan transducer mounted on the TM for fishing. Heck, I only use 2D about 90% of the time up front.


I'm a Garmin man and if I could only have one, it would be a Garmin EchoMap Plus. I do have a Humminbird up front in addition to my Garmin but that's just to interface with my Minn Kota's iPilot and ducer.

[SteveTX]

Last year I purchased my first real fish finder. I picked up a Garmin® echoMAP™ Plus 93sv. I wanted the 9" screen as my eyes aren't that great. Since I haven't a ton of experience with other brands I cant say its better but I can say my pictures are excellent. The completely removable unit with the release of one catch is phenomenal. It just pops right in and out easily for travel and security. The software was pretty easy to learn also. It has what appears to be a detailed manual but I'm that guy who rarely reads one. I just poked around till I found stuff I could use. Then most everything I use I saved to favorites keys so its easy as picking your favorite radio station once you set them up.

I agree with Princeton_Man and coldfront if you only have one unit the RAM mount is going to be what I would suggest. I plan to get a second unit but for now I don't have but the one. Its a PITA no matter where ya put it its always in the wrong spot it seems. But the RAM mount would help a lot.

[coldfront]

Given the configuration of your deck boat, I would not recommend a side scan.  For trolling motor use in a basic format a unit with simple downscan capability would likely work best and be the easiest to install.  Later you may want to add a more capable unit to your helm with a transducer system installed on the transom.   GPS is always a welcome addition so you base sonar should have GPS capability with a built gps antenna.  I happen to use Humminbird and it works fine but not real robust when it comes to screen size.  Just consider screen size is important and makes it easier to see what the sonar is showing you.  I am sure Wayne P will have some good recommendations for you to consider.

I'd go a different direction bud.  it's a deck boat.

I'd go console unit, biggest screen I could afford.  side imaging would be awesome and put the unit on a rotating mount so you could check in while up front.  you can switch unit to 2D and get much of what you need (depth, etc)

my reasoning is this: you will want to get to/from where you want to go, that happens while you're at the console.  plus you can be scanning for interesting features, pods of fish.  narrowing these areas down most quickly, efficiently will happen at the console under outboard power.

but that's me.  always has to be at least one contrarian in the bunch!   

[Wayne P.]

I'd go a different direction bud.  it's a deck boat.

I'd go console unit, biggest screen I could afford.  side imaging would be awesome and put the unit on a rotating mount so you could check in while up front.  you can switch unit to 2D and get much of what you need (depth, etc)

my reasoning is this: you will want to get to/from where you want to go, that happens while you're at the console.  plus you can be scanning for interesting features, pods of fish.  narrowing these areas down most quickly, efficiently will happen at the console under outboard power.

but that's me.  always has to be at least one contrarian in the bunch!   

I agree, start with the most and later settle for less if you have to.

[zippyduck]

CF,

That is how my aluminum is set up.

[TNDiver]

I haven't updated, but thanks to either Princeton Man or Zippy, they told me about the sale at Bass Pro ($300 off, which was cheaper than used ones on eBay!), so I bought the Garmin Echomap Plus 93SV and will have to grab the console mount that turns.  FYI, if you are in the market for one, really research the numbers, I almost purchased a used 94, which gives you the maps for the coasts and NOT the inland lakes.  I realized that later.  The 93 has the inland lakes, but NOT the coastal waters

Bud also made a good suggestion to get a cheaper fish finder for around $100-$150 to use up front, because most of the time you are using the downscanning function, which I might do if I don't like this set up.  But I wanted one that would do sidescan AND have GPS and waypoints, so the Garmin fit the bill for that.  I also thought about buying a second transducer to mount on the front and just quick disconnect the unit and reconnect up front. 

Anyways, lots of options and thanks for all the advice! 

[SteveTX]

That is the same unit I have its pretty nice. I am a "contrarian" like coldfront same reasons I highlighted below.

I'd go console unit, biggest screen I could afford.  side imaging would be awesome and put the unit on a rotating mount so you could check in while up front.  you can switch unit to 2D and get much of what you need (depth, etc)

my reasoning is this: you will want to get to/from where you want to go, that happens while you're at the console.  plus you can be scanning for interesting features, pods of fish.  narrowing these areas down most quickly, efficiently will happen at the console under outboard power.

but that's me.  always has to be at least one contrarian in the bunch!   

[roger_w]

Given the configuration of your deck boat, I would not recommend a side scan.  For trolling motor use in a basic format a unit with simple downscan capability would likely work best and be the easiest to install.  Later you may want to add a more capable unit to your helm with a transducer system installed on the transom.   GPS is always a welcome addition so you base sonar should have GPS capability with a built gps antenna.  I happen to use Humminbird and it works fine but not real robust when it comes to screen size.  Just consider screen size is important and makes it easier to see what the sonar is showing you.  I am sure Wayne P will have some good recommendations for you to consider.

Hi and sorry for the up! Where have you been? I've already purchased Garmin echomap Plus(review) - heard a lot of it before. Magic of 9'' screen works too, you know. And now it looks like it's unsuitable for me. Hope that it will be able to return to the store without any problems... 

[coldfront]

deleted.  cause this has already been worked out.
nice job!