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Upgrading Fish FInders. #12431805 09/18/17 09:16 PM
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Taylored Offline OP
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Looking at upgrading the unit on my boat and adding a unit at the bow. I'm looking at the Hummingbird Helix 10. My question being, is side imaging needed for both units? Also, is mega imaging worth the money? Any input is appreciated.

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Upgrading Fish FInders. [Re: Taylored] #12431821 09/18/17 09:28 PM
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Shallow Waters Offline
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I would only do SI at the console, and yes Mega is worth it.

Re: Upgrading Fish FInders. [Re: Taylored] #12431828 09/18/17 09:31 PM
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Wayne P. Offline
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If you want Side Imaging at the console and bow, it is best to have the sonar data where you are on the boat, not coming from a boat length away.
If you don't care about sonar accuracy, you can certainly share SI to a Sonar or Down Imaging model via Ethernet.
All my units are Side Imaging units. I "need" Side Imaging as it is my search tool and fishing tool no matter where I am on the boat. I add 360 to the mix to have Side Imaging when sitting still (it does the scanning while fishing).

MEGA Imaging is great for details and focused searching for "stuff". I don't use it for fishing due to the narrow coverage. I want to see "over there" to the edge of the Range setting.
The biggest benefit of a MEGA SI unit is its dedicated Down Imaging crystal in the transducer. I don't use DI for fishing (doesn't see "over there"), but some do.

Sort of boils down to how you would use the different sonar technologies and your willingness to fully learn how to use each.


Helix 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3N and G4N, 1198c SI, SOLIX 10 SI G3,
Helix 8 MEGA SI+ GPS G4N, SOLIX 12 SI and G3, MEGA 360, MEGA LIVE TL, RC-1
Re: Upgrading Fish FInders. [Re: Taylored] #12431922 09/18/17 10:46 PM
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Taylored Offline OP
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I don't mind learning them. Looks like the 360 imaging requires a separate transducer. Thanks for the info so far. Right now I have a cheap Lowrance Hook 5. Can find brush piles with down imaging and 2d but if they are shallow I feel like i'm "disturbing the fish" when I idle over them. If I mark the spot and come back later it takes a while to find the brush but can usually catch a few fish. Would like to make the best investment I can for the money.

Re: Upgrading Fish FInders. [Re: Taylored] #12432168 09/19/17 02:30 AM
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Bobby Milam Offline
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Many if not most have a large SI at the console and smaller 2D or DI at the bow. I have SI at the bow but don't use anything but 2D there. I have a 360 that I'll be mounting there soon.

Re: Upgrading Fish FInders. [Re: Taylored] #12432222 09/19/17 03:13 AM
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Bill Durham Offline
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I think a lot depends on how you fish. Watching Paliniuk on Live, he uses 360 on the bow all the time.. its how he spotted rock piles and fish all around his boat. He did the same thing on Rayburn where he won there finding brush piles and downed timber. The 360 transducer is mounted on a stick that he can lower down below the TM skeg.. It really works well for him.
Christie has 2 on the bow and 2 on the console I would love to know how he has them networked. I saw him turn around and cast toward the back of the boat.. and caught a 4lb Smallie. They were all casting to fish they saw on the electronics.. that is pretty impressive to me.

BD

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