I am ready to pull the trigger on a new Garmin 12" unit to use with Livescope initially, and possibly side view and down imaging in the future. I think I want a touch screen unit, as I am used to my Humminbird Solix at the console. What unit has the best resolution, as my eyes aren't what they used to be. I see that some units like the 8612 are FHD 1900 X 1200. Others like the GPSMAP 1222 Touch and ECOMAP Ultra 122sv are both WXGA 1280 X 800. I definitely want to be able to record the screen with ActiveCaptain. I will mostly use it for crappie fishing, striped bass and sand bass fishing in depths to 50'. It there a different unit I should consider?

I am also going to get a new trolling motor since mine doesn't have spot lock, it's an old hand steer Motor Guide. I'm torn between a Garmin Force or go with a Minn Kota Ulterra for the auto deploy feature. I want to upgrade my boat to a larger center console, so the ability to simply add a battery to go from 24V to 36V would save me from buying a new trolling motor in a year or two. Which one would you buy?

Thanks for your advise, I don't want to regret my decision after the purchase.

As far as the chartplotter I would lean towards the Ultra 122. I've got the 102 and have had Livescope on it. It is really good. Also if you want to use sidevu and downvu it is compatible with the UHD transducers. The Garmin Force on 24 volt is as powerful as most, if not all 36 volt motors on the market. The brushless motor is so quiet. Plus you can integrate it with the 122.

Retired grass grower

this ^ ^ ^ I have 3 93sv plus, livescope and the force tm and couldn't be happier except for wanting a 10" for livescope (eyes are gettin old. lol)

I have the EchoMap Ultra 122's and really like them. You need to decide what features are a "must have"and then decide. I don't think the EchoMap Ultra can run radar and some other features that Garmin offers. If recording is important just make sure the unit has that function.

I only fish freshwater, I don't see ever needing to add radar. I am leaning heavy toward the GPSMAP 8612xsv and Livescope. I may wait on the trolling motor a little longer, hopefully someone with offer a new generation trolling motor soon. It would be nice to see a brushless motor offered by Minn Kota or auto deploy offered by Garmin.

On other thing about the Garmin Force is the lift assist struts. To deploy I can use two fingers to lift motor up to the breakover point and then let go. Same way when stowing the motor. Two fingers is all that I need.

Retired grass grower

Im not trying to plug one unit vs another. The Echomap Ultra is a lot less $'s than the the 8612xsv. What Garmin told me it was developed for mainly the inshore fisherman. The 8612 does have a better resolution but it offers a bunch of features for the offshore boater that the Echomap Ultra does not do. If you feel the 8612xsv gives a much better picture than the EchoMap Ultra does and its noticeable to you, the 8612xsv is what you should get. At the upper price point which these units are, its like buying a truck. Added options add to the cost.

That has a lot to do with why I am asking for advise, I have not been able to compare the 8612 with another 12" model that has standard resolution, so I am not sure how much of a difference it will make in real world use. I am sure, however, that if they introduce a "high definition" version Livescope in the future, it will likely require a faster process and higher resolution screen.

Are there any negatives of the 8612 compared to the 1222, 126 and other 12" units, other than the higher cost?

My limited understanding the 8612 is at the upper end of their units. The Echomap Ultra is a happy middle ground and was targeting the bass fishing people for around $2k less per unit. Would I spend the extra money for the quality difference of the resolution? No. It would be the added features that the 8612 would offer that would make me want to buy it. I think the Echomap Ultra's crispness is really good. Also if you want to buy another unit and network them together Garmin requires you to stay within the same unit family. Just make sure the unit you buy will have the features you want and or dont want. You can go on Garmins website and look at the features each unit offers. The other thing you can do is look at the user manuals for a more in depth look at their capabilities. Or you can give Garmin a call and talk to them. If you have not plopped your money down you that's what I would do. The cheapest you are going to get buy with is $3500 for livescope with one 1222. I think it might cost $5500 if you go with the livescope and one 8612. But I might not be exact with those numbers.

What TomRom said.

Retired grass grower

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