sidescan necessary/useful at the bow?

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sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? #12699099 04/02/18 12:24 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,581 Austin fivebites OP TFF Team Angler
OP fivebites TFF Team Angler Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,581 Austin	Just purchased new to me boat and upgrading electronics. Going to either a Helix 10 or 12 at the console with side and downscan, but curious as to how many of you actually use sidescan up front at the bow? Downscan is a must there...what say ye? 2019 Chevy Tahoe 2018 Basscat Eyra 250 Proxs PB Wife of 32 years! PB Largemouth 9.56 Ray Roberts

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699102 04/02/18 12:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 457 dandeeks Angler
dandeeks Angler Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 457	I don't have it up there, but often wish I did. When fishing new ares, how could you not want to know that there's some structure to the left of you? my vote, get it!

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699107 04/02/18 12:31 PM
Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 8,379 NW Houston J Jpurdue TFF Celebrity
Jpurdue TFF Celebrity J Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 8,379 NW Houston	Side scan doesn't work well when you are not moving at least a couple mph. You are typically doing that when you have the big motor running. Hence the importance of side scan at the console. Personally I think it's completely unnecessary up front, but far be it from me to tell another man how to waste his money. "Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish goes home through an alley." -A.L. www.LunkerLore.com

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: Jpurdue] #12699179 04/02/18 01:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 16,159 Boerne G grout-scout TFF Guru
grout-scout TFF Guru G Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 16,159 Boerne	Originally Posted By: Jpurdue Side scan doesn't work well when you are not moving at least a couple mph. You are typically doing that when you have the big motor running. Hence the importance of side scan at the console. Personally I think it's completely unnecessary up front, but far be it from me to tell another man how to waste his money. It works fine at slow speeds, but I wouldn�t call it necessary. I will always have it though, just because I like it. All graphs are pre-programmed for it now, so it�s not like you�d be spending anymore than normal. Moving at 0.2mph because of a slight breeze.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699199 04/02/18 01:25 PM
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 909 Springtown F fwbassman Pro Angler
fwbassman Pro Angler F Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 909 Springtown	I like seeing the side scan at the bow, but with that being said I didn't want one installed at the bow. I can get a little crazy on the TM. Figured I'd get some really goofy results. So I leave the console running side scan and wireless connect to a tablet up front. Then just run map or 2d on the bow.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: Jpurdue] #12699224 04/02/18 01:39 PM
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 1,263 Rowlett, TX M. Alexander Extreme Angler
M. Alexander Extreme Angler Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 1,263 Rowlett, TX	Originally Posted By: Jpurdue Side scan doesn't work well when you are not moving at least a couple mph. You are typically doing that when you have the big motor running. Hence the importance of side scan at the console. Personally I think it's completely unnecessary up front, but far be it from me to tell another man how to waste his money. Mark

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699250 04/02/18 01:51 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 7,079 southwest georgia USA B beartrap TFF Celebrity
beartrap TFF Celebrity B Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 7,079 southwest georgia USA	several years ago was flipping/pitching a row of boat docks....got couple loops in my line so I pitched the jig out other side of boat away from the docks while I pulled line off my reel to get loops/tangles out....when I picked up on my jig,I realized it was in a brushpile so I jigged it up and down a couple times and caught a 6lb fish... I'm sure there were many more brushpiles out in front of docks that I never knew was there.....what would be best thing to get so you could spot brushpiles,stumps etc while you were fishing down a bank? would it be a 360 scan unit?....panoptic?...or just side scan?

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699377 04/02/18 02:42 PM
Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 6,182 crowley C coachallentca TFF Celebrity
coachallentca TFF Celebrity C Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 6,182 crowley	I have panoptix but I don't see many brush piles. I do use it because I can see fish in front of me instaed of under me.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: beartrap] #12699410 04/02/18 02:58 PM
Joined: May 2015 Posts: 153 Central La B Bass_Fanatic Outdoorsman
Bass_Fanatic Outdoorsman B Joined: May 2015 Posts: 153 Central La	Originally Posted By: beartrap several years ago was flipping/pitching a row of boat docks....got couple loops in my line so I pitched the jig out other side of boat away from the docks while I pulled line off my reel to get loops/tangles out....when I picked up on my jig,I realized it was in a brushpile so I jigged it up and down a couple times and caught a 6lb fish... I'm sure there were many more brushpiles out in front of docks that I never knew was there.....what would be best thing to get so you could spot brushpiles,stumps etc while you were fishing down a bank? would it be a 360 scan unit?....panoptic?...or just side scan? No doubt 360. That is exactly what 360 was made for Josh Sikes Bent Rods Guide Service

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699434 04/02/18 03:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,190 Weatherford Fishinfellow TFF Celebrity
Fishinfellow TFF Celebrity Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,190 Weatherford	In my opinion, Lowrance SideScan at the bow isn't great but it is nice to have if you're fishing deep structure. I had hummbinbird SideScan on the bow of my old boat and it was awesome for fishing deep structure. Basically eliminated the need for tossing buoys out. Neither will show a real crisp sharp image while sitting still but it will show you where stuff structure/cover is. Thats my money fish Kris Winhold

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699464 04/02/18 03:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 4,340 Arlington B Bobby Milam TFF Team Angler
Bobby Milam TFF Team Angler B Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 4,340 Arlington	For me, SI isn�t as important to have at the transducer at the bow. I don�t mind sharing the back transducer with the bow unit for the SI image. Now I also have a 360. That�s the nice thing about the helixes now. You only need to buy one SI unit and they will display all the other stuff as long as you have one unit capable of SI somewhere.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: beartrap] #12699744 04/02/18 06:02 PM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 16,159 Boerne G grout-scout TFF Guru
grout-scout TFF Guru G Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 16,159 Boerne	Originally Posted By: beartrap several years ago was flipping/pitching a row of boat docks....got couple loops in my line so I pitched the jig out other side of boat away from the docks while I pulled line off my reel to get loops/tangles out....when I picked up on my jig,I realized it was in a brushpile so I jigged it up and down a couple times and caught a 6lb fish... I'm sure there were many more brushpiles out in front of docks that I never knew was there.....what would be best thing to get so you could spot brushpiles,stumps etc while you were fishing down a bank? would it be a 360 scan unit?....panoptic?...or just side scan? I have not used the 360, but I�d have to guess that it would be the best for that.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699774 04/02/18 06:13 PM
Joined: Oct 2017 Posts: 297 Moody, TEXAS lucky55 Angler
lucky55 Angler Joined: Oct 2017 Posts: 297 Moody, TEXAS	I have SI on the bow. I cant seem to get it set right to see anything with TM going, soon as i let off it clears up. I think it would be more useful if I could get it clearer. 2021 SKEETER ZXR-21

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: lucky55] #12699794 04/02/18 06:23 PM
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 5,099 Charlottesville, Va W Wayne P. TFF Celebrity
Wayne P. TFF Celebrity W Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 5,099 Charlottesville, Va	Originally Posted By: lucky55 I have SI on the bow. I cant seem to get it set right to see anything with TM going, soon as i let off it clears up. I think it would be more useful if I could get it clearer. Fix your RFI issue. 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: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: Wayne P.] #12699855 04/02/18 07:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 2,561 J Jeff From Iowa Extreme Angler
Jeff From Iowa Extreme Angler J Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 2,561	Originally Posted By: Wayne P. Originally Posted By: lucky55 I have SI on the bow. I cant seem to get it set right to see anything with TM going, soon as i let off it clears up. I think it would be more useful if I could get it clearer. Fix your RFI issue. Easier said than done, there are tons of people with rf interference, most of them with ultrex and helix... mines only on side scan now, Ive spent tons of time trying all the fixes to no avail. it will be clear on 10 power for the ultrex but not 9.. it clearly has something to do with the pulsing of power the ultrex uses.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: Jeff From Iowa] #12699870 04/02/18 07:17 PM
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 5,099 Charlottesville, Va W Wayne P. TFF Celebrity
Wayne P. TFF Celebrity W Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 5,099 Charlottesville, Va	Originally Posted By: Jeff From Iowa Originally Posted By: Wayne P. Originally Posted By: lucky55 I have SI on the bow. I cant seem to get it set right to see anything with TM going, soon as i let off it clears up. I think it would be more useful if I could get it clearer. Fix your RFI issue. Easier said than done, there are tons of people with rf interference, most of them with ultrex and helix... mines only on side scan now, Ive spent tons of time trying all the fixes to no avail. it will be clear on 10 power for the ultrex but not 9.. it clearly has something to do with the pulsing of power the ultrex uses. What was Humminbird's suggestion to take care of your RFI??? You did contact them about it ????? 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: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699932 04/02/18 07:56 PM
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,743 South Tomball, Texas Phoenix_Ed Extreme Angler
Phoenix_Ed Extreme Angler Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,743 South Tomball, Texas	Interesting all of the people that do not think SI is useful at the bow. I have had it on my boat(s) for several years, when I decided to go without it at one time, I had it back within a few months. It allows me to work down a line of boat docks and see what is under them, and out away from them without having to spend time idling the same water to mark spots with the console unit. If I am fishing deeper water, I can locate additional structure to fish. Turn it sideways and it shoots in front of the boat. If I am where I don't need it I switch views. And one more reason, I run the same unit at the bow and console, if my console unit takes a dump on me, I can swap it out and not miss a beat. One of those Ford vs Chevy debates. Wishin I was fishin!! ..............>(((//*> 2021 Phoenix 819 - Mercury 200 4 Stroke - Ultrex Her name is Novia Número Cinco. Humminbird Helix 10 Mega DI - Helix 12 Mega SI - Mega 360 PB Largemouth - 9.51 - Toledo Bend - March 2014

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #12699947 04/02/18 08:08 PM
Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 12,147 San Angelo tmd11111 TFF Guru
tmd11111 TFF Guru Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 12,147 San Angelo	Originally Posted By: 721Phoenix Interesting all of the people that do not think SI is useful at the bow. I have had it on my boat(s) for several years, when I decided to go without it at one time, I had it back within a few months. It allows me to work down a line of boat docks and see what is under them, and out away from them without having to spend time idling the same water to mark spots with the console unit. If I am fishing deeper water, I can locate additional structure to fish. Turn it sideways and it shoots in front of the boat. If I am where I don't need it I switch views. And one more reason, I run the same unit at the bow and console, if my console unit takes a dump on me, I can swap it out and not miss a beat. One of those Ford vs Chevy debates. I completely agree. While I don't have SI on my bow I do on my console and with my X5i I find myself fishing from the back of the boat while running the trolling motor in unfamiliar waters more often then not for the SI feature alone. I've already started saving my lunch money to replace my bow unit with one that has SI for this reason.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699951 04/02/18 08:12 PM
Joined: May 2017 Posts: 510 Mcgregor, Texas Big Kahuna Fishing Pro Angler
Big Kahuna Fishing Pro Angler Joined: May 2017 Posts: 510 Mcgregor, Texas	At one time I had side imaging with my old Lowrance units on the bow, but did not use it much. When I switched everything to Birds I knew I wanted something like it and opted for the HB 360. Living the American Dream in central Texas !

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: Wayne P.] #12699959 04/02/18 08:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 2,561 J Jeff From Iowa Extreme Angler
Jeff From Iowa Extreme Angler J Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 2,561	Originally Posted By: Wayne P. Originally Posted By: Jeff From Iowa Originally Posted By: Wayne P. Originally Posted By: lucky55 I have SI on the bow. I cant seem to get it set right to see anything with TM going, soon as i let off it clears up. I think it would be more useful if I could get it clearer. Fix your RFI issue. Easier said than done, there are tons of people with rf interference, most of them with ultrex and helix... mines only on side scan now, Ive spent tons of time trying all the fixes to no avail. it will be clear on 10 power for the ultrex but not 9.. it clearly has something to do with the pulsing of power the ultrex uses. What was Humminbird's suggestion to take care of your RFI??? You did contact them about it ????? Of course I did and Ive done everything they suggested as well as more. I also dealt with minn kota. Everytime this type of post comes up lots of people are still dealing with the fuzz from rfi some worse than others. Last edited by Jeff From Iowa; 04/02/18 08:18 PM.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12699982 04/02/18 08:35 PM
Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 4,340 Arlington B Bobby Milam TFF Team Angler
Bobby Milam TFF Team Angler B Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 4,340 Arlington	Did you try moving your unit? That was the fix for mine. I had to move it to the right side of the deck and it all cleared up.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12700012 04/02/18 08:59 PM
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,209 Splendora, Tx K KingChamp202 Extreme Angler
KingChamp202 Extreme Angler K Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,209 Splendora, Tx	Helps relocate offshore brush after catching and releasing, or retying lol. Must have for me.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: Bobby Milam] #12700042 04/02/18 09:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 2,561 J Jeff From Iowa Extreme Angler
Jeff From Iowa Extreme Angler J Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 2,561	Originally Posted By: Bobby Milam Did you try moving your unit? That was the fix for mine. I had to move it to the right side of the deck and it all cleared up. I have 4 units... Ive isolated one at the console and held the ducer over the side of the boat in my hand and still had rf...

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12700101 04/02/18 09:50 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 85,919 New Bern, NC John175☮ MACHO MAN
John175☮ MACHO MAN Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 85,919 New Bern, NC	I used SI on the trolling motor until I got a 360. “Do not pray for easier lives. Pray to be stronger men.” -JFK

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: Jpurdue] #12700104 04/02/18 09:53 PM
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,418 Ratcliff, AR Okie Poke TFF Guru
Okie Poke TFF Guru Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,418 Ratcliff, AR	Originally Posted By: Jpurdue Side scan doesn't work well when you are not moving at least a couple mph. You are typically doing that when you have the big motor running. Hence the importance of side scan at the console. Personally I think it's completely unnecessary up front, but far be it from me to tell another man how to waste his money. ^^^^^this^^^^^ All I use up front is DI and 2D sonar, and map when I'm looking over contour lines. 😎 Dallas Cowboys....eventual Superbowl Champions 😎

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: tmd11111] #12700117 04/02/18 10:05 PM
Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 1,989 Arlington Texas SAKS Extreme Angler
SAKS Extreme Angler Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 1,989 Arlington Texas	I used to think that with all the movement of the trolling motor that you wouldn�t get a good side image. It was nothing I had any proof of but just something I had in my head. Peoples comments on their experience with them on the bow are changing my mind. For me it wasn�t that I didn�t think it was useful but that it wouldn�t work well.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12700460 04/03/18 02:08 AM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 16,159 Boerne G grout-scout TFF Guru
grout-scout TFF Guru G Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 16,159 Boerne	Such awful detail from my trolling motor mounted transducer.

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: fivebites] #12703587 04/05/18 01:40 AM
Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 6,182 crowley C coachallentca TFF Celebrity
coachallentca TFF Celebrity C Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 6,182 crowley	This is my side scan

Re: sidescan necessary/useful at the bow? [Re: coachallentca] #12703602 04/05/18 01:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 16,159 Boerne G grout-scout TFF Guru
grout-scout TFF Guru G Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 16,159 Boerne	Originally Posted By: coachallentca This is my side scan Oh Coach, that can�t be from the trolling motor since we�ve been told that it doesn�t give good quality images.

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