If you had to spend back of $400 on a depth finder for the front of the boat and run the transducer to the trolling motor what would you recommend?

Hummingbird 596c HD DI

What's important? 2D, DI, both? GPS?

I am like any consumer, I want the most that I can get. But, I'd say forget GPS. I have heard people go back and forth on whether it is good to have down imaging on the trolling motor (because it's constantly turning in different directions).

 

Yes, I'd like down imaging at the minimum but if I had to spend more to get side imaging I'd do it.

Humminbird 581i HD DI if you want GPS

 

 

Humminbird 596c HD DI if you don't want GPS

MSRP of the 598ci HD SI is $800 and you can get this kind of view of the bottom with a bow mount and trolling motor mounted SI transducer:

 

Holy cow! Is that a creek channel to the left?

It is a creek channel on both sides--(top left and middle right). All the lines on the bottom are vehicle tracks made during lake construction.

And this is why I now want side scan. For some reason one of my buddies told me I absolutely didn't want to put one on a trolling motor. I'm sold now. Thanks Wayne P

If you dont want Side imaging, this new Dragonfly from Raymarine coming out in April looks real nice. Just under $600

 

http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=6855

And this is why I now want side scan. For some reason one of my buddies told me I absolutely didn't want to put one on a trolling motor. I'm sold now. Thanks Wayne P

 I use the Side Imaging view at the bow 100% of the time. I'll add other views sometimes, but SI it my primary information source while fishing. I spend a lot more time at the bow than I do at the console.

When I am fishing electric-only waters, my bow unit is the only one I have with me.

If you dont want Side imaging, this new Dragonfly from Raymarine coming out in April looks real nice. Just under $600

 

http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=6855

For some reason the pictures won't show when I use that link.

Ya. I had to use Google Chrome to see them too.

The Humminbird 598ci HD SI at BassPro is selling for $799 minus a $100 mail in rebate. Sounds like a deal to me!