It's a no brainer.  A good sounder will do more for you than a powerpole, unless.........................you only fish waters you know like the back of your hand, and you spend most of your time fishing shallow.

I have been fishing Clarks Hill since 1962, know it better than the back of my hand and I don't have or ever plan on having a power pole, but I do have the Lowrance HDS-10 on a swing arm at the drivers seat, HDS-7 at bow and the HDS-5 in the dash, all networked with the structure scan. When they come out with something significantly better, I will upgrade them but don't need a power pole.

I know, but a sonar won't hold you on a spot and stop you being blown onto the cover either. There is no right answer, but there is acclear choice. I'd go sonar every time, but I like fishing offshore more than many people.

 

The Minn Kota electric motor does exactly that.

The "Spot Lock" holds your boat on spot in heavy seas and in any depth water.

 

Roger