Get the Garmin, add Panoptix Livescan later.

2 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

How big are the lakes you fish?

Pretty small 

On 3/6/2019 at 5:22 PM, Tennessee Boy said:

Take the Humminbird SOLIX series.  There is a 10in, 12in, and 15in model.  All three models have the same 1280 x 800 resolution so you see exactly the same thing on all three units,  the pixels are just bigger on the bigger units.  I have the 10 inch version on my console and I'm usually 25 inches from it when I'm using it.  It's easy to see everything on the screen at that distance.  The pixels are much bigger than your typical cell phone.  My iPhone is 1792 x 828 on a 6.1 inch screen.  If you have poor vision that's a different story.

Do you understand fractions? When the entire screen is larger, each section is also larger (thus easier to see).

 

That's like saying a 50" TV is the same as a 75" TV because the resolution is the same.

Anyone have a helix 7 g3n? I read that the mega imaging transducer doesn’t read depth at speed. So you need a separate DI transducer if you want  depth while at speed.  Can anyone confirm this?  I hate to spend that much money and not be able to tell what depth I’m at as I’m going up the river/lake. 

Thabks! 

9 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Pretty small 

That’s pretty vague. My small lakes are 50 acres, a lot of the southern guys would call that a mud hole. My big lake around me is 450 the southern guys would call that a pond. 

 

If they around either size size I explained I’d put it up front. My reason for this suggestion is the lakes are small enough the you can find a ‘spot’ on the map and get pretty close to it without having the fish finder at the console then drop the TM and get on top of it once you get close. 

7 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Do you understand fractions? When the entire screen is larger, each section is also larger (thus easier to see).

 

That's like saying a 50" TV is the same as a 75" TV because the resolution is the same.

Wrong. The way a former member on here who is a beta tester for Humminbird the pixel size stays the same. As you get a bigger screen those pixels get stretched (my terminology not his) thus making the picture less crisp the bigger screen you get. I’m not familiar with the Solix units but with the Helix units the 10” Helix gave you a better image (more crisp) than a 12” Helix.

9 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Do you understand fractions? When the entire screen is larger, each section is also larger (thus easier to see).

Yes I do understand fractions.  When I view down imaging at full screen on my solix I'm looking at 1280 x 800 of detail  of what's in the water column.  When I view down imaging on one quarter of the screen I'm looking at 640 x 400 of detail of what's in the water column.  That's considerably less detail than I would get from a Helix 5.  Same math on a Solix 15 as a Solix 10.

9 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

That's like saying a 50" TV is the same as a 75" TV because the resolution is the same.

Yes that's exactly what I'm saying.  Putting a 75" TV is a small apartment where you are sitting 5 ft from the screen is a waste of money.  Once you get close enough to differentiate between the pixels on a screen,  making them bigger just makes the image blocky.  

I understand that no matter the size of the screen they all have the same amount of pixels. But when comparing a 7 to say a 12 you can't tell me the 7 is easier to see, especially when viewing more than one screen. If you are only looking at one screen then I can understand, but if he wants one unit to do it all, then I think he should opt for the biggest one he can afford. It would be like sitting 15 ft from your TV and watching a 32" or a 50" and trying to read the scores at the bottom as they scroll across. Maybe more defined on the 32" but easier to see on the 50". 

The key thing to understand when buying a fish finder is that higher resolution gives you more detail to help you interpret what you’re seeing on the screen.  Larger screen size makes it easier to see the screen at a distance.  When comparing different models and brands,  they do not all have the same screen resolution.  Where you’re putting the unit and to some extent the size of the boat should be considered.

 

If all fish finders were free,  I’d have two Solix 10s at the console and a Solix 12 and 15 on the bow of my boat.

Anyone have a helix 7 g3n? I read that the mega imaging transducer doesn’t read depth at speed. So you need a separate DI transducer if you want  depth while at speed.  Can anyone confirm this?  I hate to spend that much money and not be able to tell what depth I’m at as I’m going up the river/lake. 

2 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Anyone have a helix 7 g3n? I read that the mega imaging transducer doesn’t read depth at speed. So you need a separate DI transducer if you want  depth while at speed.  Can anyone confirm this?  I hate to spend that much money and not be able to tell what depth I’m at as I’m going up the river/lake. 

Speed will be an issue with any depth finder.   Some claim to work at speeds up to 70 MPH.  I’ve never gone that fast so I can’t confirm.  My boat came with a low end Lowrance Hook with a skimmer transducer design for higher speeds.  I used it once while I was doing the break in.  It worked up to about 35MPH.  If your concern is safety,  you should never rely on a depth finder to determine if you’re in safe water.  It will not tell you how deep the water is in front of you which is all that matters.  The depth can go from 40ft to 6in in a second.   

1 hour ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Speed will be an issue with any depth finder.   Some claim to work at speeds up to 70 MPH.  I’ve never gone that fast so I can’t confirm.  My boat came with a low end Lowrance Hook with a skimmer transducer design for higher speeds.  I used it once while I was doing the break in.  It worked up to about 35MPH.  If your concern is safety,  you should never rely on a depth finder to determine if you’re in safe water.  It will not tell you how deep the water is in front of you which is all that matters.  The depth can go from 40ft to 6in in a second.   

thanks

21 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

I completely disagree 

What side scanning TD do you have mounted on the TM that doesn't rotate with the TM motor?

Tom

1 hour ago, WRB said:

What side scanning TD do you have mounted on the TM that doesn't rotate with the TM motor?

Tom

None. Why? 

What issue do you have with is side scan transducer rotating?

19 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

None. Why? 

What issue do you have with is side scan transducer rotating?

Every time you move the TM to steer where you are fishing the side scan image turns with it. Not a problem going straight with a transom mounted TM because the boat doesn't move quickly like a TM does. Try looking though binoculars and turn your head from side to side, that is what the side image looks like when TM mounted, can't see anything clearly. Slow spready movements work, quick adjustments like everyone does with TM while fishing in the wind doesn't work worth a darn.

SI is a great tool used properly.

Tom

30 minutes ago, WRB said:

Every time you move the TM to steer where you are fishing the side scan image turns with it. Not a problem going straight with a transom mounted TM because the boat doesn't move quickly like a TM does. Try looking though binoculars and turn your head from side to side, that is what the side image looks like when TM mounted, can't see anything clearly. Slow spready movements work, quick adjustments like everyone does with TM while fishing in the wind doesn't work worth a darn.

SI is a great tool used properly.

Tom

I agree with you 100% on what you’re saying. A constantly moving TM or windy days it’s not going to work. On calm days it’s an extra tool. For an extra $100-200 I’d say it’s worth it. 

16 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I agree with you 100% on what you’re saying. A constantly moving TM or windy days it’s not going to work. On calm days it’s an extra tool. For an extra $100-200 I’d say it’s worth it. 

Net worked from the transom SI or 360 scanning TD you have the front TM downscan and map for real time input and delayed look at the SI or scanning, everything is history that is displayed anyway. The big SI TD's are a problem on the TM hitting things like rocks, stumps and collecting weeds.

Some boaters stick mount the bigger TD's independant from the TM  and that works.

Peace,

Tom

Thanks guys. Decided to go with the Helix 7 G3N.  Has the mega imaging and seems to be the best 7" out right now. Hopefully it will last at least 3 weeks before being obsolete ha. I did get a lot of info on it.  Can't do the trolling motor transducer if you want depth readings while not using trolling motor obviously.  So had to go with transom mount transducer that comes with the unit.  That transducer doesn't read about 10mph, so had to get a second 2D transducer to go on the transom as well, to give depth while at speed. Got the unit for $699. Y cable for $40, 2nd transducer for $90 and install is 5 hour =$550.  That seem right? 

Anyone know if it takes about 5 hours to install unit and two transducers?  Or is it too tough to tell without knowing the details of the boat? Thanks

14 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Anyone know if it takes about 5 hours to install unit and two transducers?  Or is it too tough to tell without knowing the details of the boat? Thanks

When I was at a dealer talking about a set up I wanted he said about half a day, so what you’ve been told is on par. I imagine every boat is different though and I bet if it takes them 3 hours you’ll still pay for their lunch break. ?

On 3/13/2019 at 5:23 PM, 12poundbass said:

None. Why? 

What issue do you have with is side scan transducer rotating?

You can actually use this as a tool to see under a dock.  Plenty of guys scanning a dock, by steadily swinging the TD head sitting still next to a dock.  No, it isn't the clearest picture, but you can see of there's a fish or a brushpile there.

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

You can actually use this as a tool to see under a dock.  Plenty of guys scanning a dock, by steadily swinging the TD head sitting still next to a dock.  No, it isn't the clearest picture, but you can see of there's a fish or a brushpile there.

Oh I know. It was a rhetorical question. Tom has always been vocal about SI being a waste up front, so I asked that to get the debate going.

Ok thanks everyone! How about transporting boat and exterior...what all do I need?  Should I buy straps to ratchet down the boat when traveling?  Any other tips/things to buy that I will need?  Thanks again! 

On 3/15/2019 at 11:23 AM, clemsondds said:

Anyone know if it takes about 5 hours to install unit and two transducers?  Or is it too tough to tell without knowing the details of the boat? Thanks

Why not install the finder yourself?  Save the is stall money for another finder for the bow.  

 

You will get to know your boat, if there is anything wrong, you will know where to fix it, and you get to have two finders.  

 

Lots of info to install it, we can help, and it comes with instructions.