I've been at the Classic all week and even got different opinions from the vendors on this subject matter. 'Would it make sense for me to use a side imaging unit at the zTM, or only Down Imaging?' Please weigh in on this for me ya'll!

i thought about this also when i got my side imaging unit. I didnt do it and just decided to keep down imaging on the TM. I just dont think it would work as well. im not sure though.

I run down only in the front and di/si on the back with and ram mount so I can flip it around and see it too.

I haven't heard too many positives about having si on the tm, too much turning & bouncing. Now I haven't heard any complaints about di. But the good thing about Lowrance is you can choose which option you want. Di, si or both.

If you put SI up front make sure to have a 900 series size or larger. Standing up, the little screen is a bit too far away to be real useful.

I have both. Dont need it on the front . but I will put 360 up front soon as it come out

That was my other question. Should I buy my unit with the idea of 'future proofing' for this 360 coming out just in case I want to get it?

Here's my current setup:

* 997ci at Console
* Nothing at Bow (just sold the 787 that came with my boat b/c too small and no DI, just GPS/Sonar)

I'm trying to decide WHAT unit to buy for my bow/TM. I was looking at the 858 DI unit but then heard that in order to utilize 360, you need the _98 DI/SI series. So would it be better if I get an 898 DI/SI unit for the front?

My thinking is there is not much difference in display between the 800 and 900 series so I might as well go with the 800 series. I just didn't know if it made sense to buy the DI unit only? Or should I get the combo DI/SI 800 series to 'future proof' myself should I decide to get 360? (most likely will not get it, but 'just in case').... I don't think my 997C that I have currently at the console would even be able to utilize the 360, so that's why I'm only worried about what to buy for my bow right now. I will be fine continuing to use what I have at the console without upgrading that (since it has all the bells and whistles... just won't be able to do 360).

Thanks for any input.

Buy the largest screen size you can afford for SI/DI and remember they only work while the boat is moving so set your chart speed the same as boat speed.

Learned a trick at Falcon this past week about SI on the trolling motor that really works well when fishing ledges or creek channels. turn the TM to the side so SI can mark the ledge/creek or other object all the way out to 100 ft. Keeps u from running up on the fish and gives u the spot to hold the boat at. I put my bow mounted 998ci in a 3 phase screen so I have SI, DI and Sonar. This little trick works great for this type if fishing.

No--The side Imaging is a search tool to find structure under water to fish. Search the area your wanting to fish from the console, mark those areas with a waypoint and go back and fish those areas. With the SI on the trolling motor your not able to control the boat, watch the screen and mark the waypoints and stand up in a 10mph wind.

I'm not sure how the newer HB work, but the HDS units replay the screen that you have gone over by scrolling back if you want the see something and mark. With all the units networked together the waypoint will transfer to the front unit so that you can find and fish.

I watched the demo of the new HB 360 degree sonar. No doubt it will be great, but it requires a pole on the transom similar to a Power Pole....maybe they both would fit. But this is an accident waiting to happen. That transducer on a hydraulic pole below your boat is going to receive mucho damage IMO. You can punch it with the Power Poles down without damage....can't say that for the Bird transducer pole.

we just had the Humminbird reps here in SAngelo (so take out of it what you will). He uses, and showed us stored data, of how he used it to take the slice and slowly scan the flats, grass beds and ledges rotating his trolling motor. I have begun using mine as well (898cSI). Make the right or the left the active/dominate so your using the whole screen for the one scan (if you have the smaller screen) or work it like skeeter17584 describes.

thanks for that instructional video link on using side imaging at the TM. Helpful.

I hope it's good, since I just bought a boat and it has a 798 on the front with a HDSI transducer that I just mounted to TM