My MG bit the dust yesterday.

Going to replace with a MK Fortrex. Should I go with or without sonar?

I would go without and use the one that comes with your FF/graph unit.

+1

Without. I just bought one and put a Humminbird side imaging transducer on it connected to a 998.

with

Without....more guys are using DI/Sonar HD transducers anyways. So....it is mostly obsolete. Nice if you only plan on regular sonar.

I was a guy going the "without" route but have had success going the "with" universal sonar for the last 5 years or so. I went from busting a transducer or two every year, carrying a spare and changing transducers out on the water to never having a problem.

I did experiment with the extra equipment that you can mount on your TM to protect the transducers but had mixed results with that - especially fishing grass. I prefer a clean with nothing attached to the motor.

Regardless either way will work equally well with Lowrance 2D or flashers.

Probably depends fishing style. If fishing shallow all the time, go with built in transducer. If you.like fishing deep, use transducer that matches your graph.

With. If nothing else, use it as an extra when you break yours off because you know you will.

I went without because you cannot mount the total scan transducer otherwise.

I went with. My front graph is linked thru the console graph, so I can still have side imaging. Although what I'm seeing on side imaging is 20' behind me. Ha.

This

I just bought one want went with the transducer. I use an external transducer but as a backup I got the adapter cable in case something happens to the external transducer.

I use my "with"

Without. The one on my MK is junk and wouldn't even pick up a 1oz jig. Switched to the transducer that came with my unit and all is good.