I am waiting on my new 22' Sea Hunt and need to decide on electronics. I have read about issues with the new Onix but like the fact that it is touchscreen and networks with trolling motor. I have ran Humminbird on my bass boats and was happy, I have enough dash space to flush mount two graphs. I am considering running both Lowrance and Bird...thoughts??? If so what models would you recommend???

Once you decided, I highly recommend TFFer David at shut-up-and-fish.com

If you're getting the new 2015 console I would look at Simrad. Maybe the NSS9 or NSS12 Evo2. They have built in SonarHub and structure scan and you can run the Side and Down imaging plus add a second transducer (Airmar TM150) and run CHIRP. The cool thing about the Simrad stuff is you can have someone flush mount them so you get the glass helm look.

I am running 2 Onix units, a HDS12 and a HDS9 on my BX24 Sea Hunt. The Onix is getting better each software update. I am also running the 360 and I pilot Link. Did see some weird things going on when I added the SM3000 module to the network. With the Lowrance I am running the SonarHub with a TM150 transducer and that works really well. You can count each individual fish in a school and see them clearly when hugging the bottom.

Don't forget Garmin, they are doing some impressive stuff with sidevu and downvu.

If I upgrade I hope I can handle it. This stuff is unreal.

You wear them out with a "flasher", so why upgrade bud?

The main thing I think you will like is being able to see the size of the fish before you waste time on a specific school. CHIRP is really good about that. I know you don't do live bait but we can actually tell if the shad we're about to throw the net on are too small or just right. Same with the fish we mark. You can look at a school of stripers with CHIRP and tell immediately if you want to go for them or not. Same if you're chasing hybrids and you run into sandies. Move on and keep looking instead of wasting time to figure out they're sandbass or yellows.

Don't feel bad Chris, it's over my computer geek head too lol.

After spending over $2500 on Minnkota trolling motor (Ipilot link), Humminbird 899 locator and Lakemaster card I'd have to say go with something else.

I've been without the use of mine for over 5 weeks now and counting. It's all new stuff. Appears now to be the Lakemaster card.

Nice choice for the boat,question is if your running a lowrance and a bird on the dash what would u run on the TM.
Heres something else u might think about, run both Lakemaster and Navionics, they both have features the other one doesn't
I know its overkill, but thats what I run, and I have no trouble finding things that are not on most maps, they really work well with ea other

Nice choice for the boat,question is if your running a lowrance and a bird on the dash what would u run on the TM.
Heres something else u might think about, run both Lakemaster and Navionics, they both have features the other one doesn't
I know its overkill, but thats what I run, and I have no trouble finding things that are not on most maps, they really work well with ea other

Hey Diel11 or anyone else. I need a little help too. Just bought a new boat and it came with a Garmin 741xs in the dash. it has a thru hull transducer. I liked my Humminbird 998 SI on my old boat. My question, i only freshwater fish FOR NOW. Should I spend the money for the box and transom transducer to take advantage of Garmin CHIRP and down imaging and side scan or just leave it as a GPS unit and add a big Humminbird or Lowrance? Can't find any freshwater guys that seem to know much or care about garmin. All comments appreciated. Side scan is a MUST for me, I got spoiled....

Garmin is the quiet guy in the bunch that you should not skip. They are one of the few companies that have CHIRP down and side imaging. The range on their SI is insane also (I think 600 feet per side), but keep in mind that the more range you have the smaller the returns are going to be. But with that range you can find structure easier then dial it down to see fish.

For side and downvu CHIRP you need the GCV10 box. That includes the transducer also. If you want CHIRP 2D you have to run the TM150. I run the Navico version of the TM150 with my SonarHub and it's amazing how much better it is than a regular transducer.

Garmin's only concern is you have to use their mapping. It's very good for most lakes but if your lake is not there, you're in trouble.

Forgive me for asking but will the TM150 do it all? It sounds like its worth the money. I only fish Tawakoni now but as retirement gets closer I'm going to start going to the coast learning. So it sounds like this would be the first step instead of buying a new different unit for now? and THANKS

The TM150 will only do 2D CHIRP. In order to get the Down and Sidevu imaging you need Garmin's own transducer (most people call it the hot dog because that's what it looks like). The 741xs is a solid unit so if you end up moving to the coast or fishing saltwater somewhere else, it will do you good.