My Tracker Proteam175TF came equipped with a Lowrance Elite 3X mounted at the console. I want to add a second unit at the bow so I can see what's below when I'm running the trolling motor. At this early stage of my fishing career, I'm not looking for high end, <$500. I appreciate any and all suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

I have a Humminbird DI amounted to my MotorGuide  it's one of the smaller units. The transducer is mounted under the motor and the cable is run up the shaft. You can purchase a special mount that protects the transducer. My total cost was under $200

The Lowrance Elite 3X is about $100 and discontinued. Replaced by the Hook 3X for the same price. The Hook 5X is about $300 and has CHIRP Sonar and Downscan. The X models don't have GPS.

The current model Humminbird units are the Helix series.

The Helix 5 Sonar model is about $200 and the Helix 5 DI model is about $250. There are GPS versions of those also.

Hey Wannabe, my RT178 came standard with that Lowrance Elite 3X too.  I had a larger HDS7 unit that I already owned that I had flush mounted into the console and had them move the Elite 3x to the bow.  They did exactly what Papajoe said, they mounted the transducer underneath and ran the wire up along the shaft to the Elite 3x which is mounted at the bow.  I also have a hand held GPS that I regularly use when I'm up front but I actually would like to upgrade the bow to something a little bigger with built-in GPS now too.  If your just looking for sonar at the bow, the Elite 3x you have will work fine for that but I would upgrade the console to something better if I were you.