Well I finally got an HDS12 touch and I'm super excited. Need a little advice as to best mounting location along with do I need to get a hole shot plate to reduce any feedback? I have a 04zx225 with a slidemaster jackplate. Also who would you recommend installing if I feel I needed help? Any feedback would be awesome cause I'm clueless. Just want to have the best setup and make sure I think it through. Thanks Again

I have a Ranger so not apples to apples, but mounted the LSS2 on the step under the boat, I feel it's more protected under there and not as exposed as off the back or mounted on the jack plate as some do. I can tell you if you do mount directly to the fiberglass you only have to use 3-4 screws and not all six. Mine was rock solid after three (but I like even numbers, so I went with four). I put the 83/200 inside the hull of the boat, if you put it outside I don't think (from my limited experience) you will be able to read bottom while running. Put it inside and it works great and it doesn't impact the 2D much going through the hull. If you put it inside and get more "lines" in your picture turn down the unit to auto and then minus -2 to 5%.

As for the install the LSS is easy, put it where you think you want it and put in a couple of screws, go test it out in the lake at idle speed only. If your happy then add other screws.

As for 83/200, I had a local boat dealer do it, cost $75 bucks, better to pay someone to have it done right.

I am sure there are other ways to do this but I used http://www.transducershieldandsaver.com/home/ Try this website they have a video for the slidemaster and sell the installation hardware built for the transducer. On a Skeeter the transducer needs to be lower because of the turning chines. It is a easy install. You can call them if you need help with what to order. They are very friendly and helpful. I mounted it without the shield first but was not happy with the picture I was getting on my graph.

http://youtu.be/7KNkLRQ6MMg

Here is an install on a Ranger that we did, a lot of times it can be mounted to the jackplate like others have stated. It makes it a lot easier to de-rig if you sell your boat and are installing the electronics on the next one. Just make sure you countersink your screw holes if you are drilling into fiberglass!!!

The LSS2 can be mounted with the transducer cable facing toward the front of the boat (which is usually done when you use a bracket mount) or coming out of the transducer toward the back (which is usually done if you mount it directly to the step) If the cable to the LSS2 is coming out the back you will need to flip Left/Right on your unit when you set it up.

Since you have a Skeeter and the sponsons interfere with SideScan, you'll need to mount it on or around the jack plate. I have an 05 ZX225 and purchased the TSS mount and extension to get the LSS2 low and clear the sponsons. Some guys mount it inside the jack plate too.