Just bought myself a Nitro NX 882 2000 18'2''. It has no electronics on it. I want to know what would be the best setup under 2500$, trolling motor mount and consol mount, Where should I put the best one with Side imaging? I cant afford two units with side imaging so... ?

 

Humminbird? Lowrance?

 

what do you guys think??

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I would suggest Lowrance.  I have a HDS GEN 2 touch 12 INCH on my console, and and HDS gen 2 on my bow.  You can get small units reasonable and the GEN 2 touch have built in structure scan so all you need is the transducer

If I was to have only one of the two to have Side imaging should it be the console one or the Bow one?

If only one side imaging unit then at the console. It works best at speeds between 3 and 8 MPH. At least that is what I have come to find on mine. I use Hummingbird for my side imaging and havent had any issues with it. Main reason being Ive had it since Hummingbird was the only one to have side imaging. Lowrance has come a long way though and if I have to replace mine I might have to take a harder look at lowrance.

If only one side imaging unit then at the console. It works best at speeds between 3 and 8 MPH. At least that is what I have come to find on mine. I use Hummingbird for my side imaging and havent had any issues with it. Main reason being Ive had it since Hummingbird was the only one to have side imaging. Lowrance has come a long way though and if I have to replace mine I might have to take a harder look at lowrance.

Humminbird Side Imaging works best when set up for the application from 0 mph to 12 mph.

I use my bow unit a lot more than my console unit and I don't fish at 3-8 mph.

 

get a used HDS 8 Gen 2 or used HDS 7 Touch.  you can get two and stay within your budget.  you can find them on ebay for $1100, spend $200 for LSS2 and you have the best of everything.

Having recently purchased a HB si unit, I wish I would have gone lowrance. The picture quality seems to be substantially more "crispy" on the lowrance's. You could afford 2 900 range HB units. Check BBG Marine Electronics... they've been seeling 900's for around $1200 recently.

 

Mount the SI unit on a RAM ball mount @ the console and a DI unit @ the bow. Use DI unit @ the bow and spin the console unit around wile fishing and use it for SI.

When I purchased my boat, the one thing I regret was not spending the extra $$$$ and get a SI on the bow. I have two DI units. One on the console and one on the bow. I definitely suggest going with the SI. I run Humminbirds, but have been on boats with Lowrances and wouldn't hesitate to use them. I went with birds because I got them for well under retail.