Alright, so I’m just now learning to read electronics effectively and like every kid the more I play with a toy the more curious I get about other toys. With SI, DI, Livescope, 360, spot lock,  power poles etc I could spend more than what my boat cost. I’m curious on peoples thoughts on the advantages cost effectiveness of these technologies. I don’t want to start a peeing match over who can catch without any of this etc just something I thought would make fun conversation. 

25 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I don’t want to start a peeing match over who can catch without any of this etc just something I thought would make fun conversation. 

Mike, if I had the money I'd go whole-hog...but needs must. Upgraded from a Lowrance Hook 2-4 (no GPS) to a Striker 7cv this winter. It's going to be a new experience seeing what DI and mapping (have to create my own) can do for me.

What kind of boat. That’s the important question.

 

I was thinking generically but in my case a Tracker Heritage. So far all I’ve done is move the sonar to the bow and add one with mapping. 

A color chirp graph with GPS and a good map chip is really all I need for electronics.  Everything else is gravy, though SI has really started slipping into must have.  

I'll easily take a spot-lock trolling motor first and foremost.  I don't have Livescope or 360 yet so I can't comment there.  I could easily do without a shallow-water anchor but it sure does come in handy but not really for fishing.  I use it every time I launch or if I am retying.  I'll never have 2 PPs or Talons since I can do everything I need it to do with 1 for half the cost.  SI/DI are great and I use them a lot.  If I had to rank them in importance for me I'd go spot-lock troller > SI/DI/Mapping > shallow water anchor  

16 minutes ago, J Francho said:

A color chirp graph with GPS and a good map chip is really all I need for electronics.  Everything else is gravy, though SI has really started slipping into must have.  

That's where I'm at.  A good sonar that's easy to read is number one.  Number two is good mapping.  That's especially important in waters that you're less familiar with.  Those are your two must haves.  Well, that and speed and water temperature.

 

Beyond that, SI and 360 are worth having.  360 may or may not be worth the money to you, as SI can often be found at fairly reasonable prices, and 360 doesn't offer anything game changing over SI.  But I'd go 360 if you can budget it.  I've never used Livescope, but man does it look cool!  Still, at those prices I'm content to wait ten years for that technology to become affordable before I get into that. DI is found on most units these days and is interesting, but it rarely ever tells me something that sonar cannot.  I use it, but I wouldn't miss it if it was gone.

 

Everything else is just convenience, as far as I'm concerned.  They're handy and make fishing easier, but they won't make you more productive unless you're tournament fishing and trying to save every wasted second.  Then again, this is coming from a guy who says wasting time is the reason to go fishing. If I wanted to be productive with my free time, I'd get a second job.  

6 minutes ago, Bankc said:

That's where I'm at.  A good sonar that's easy to read is number one.  Number two is good mapping.  That's especially important in waters that you're less familiar with.

Same.  Sonar is more of a safety thing too for me as I really need to know its deep enough to run my outboard safely.  GPS/mapping is essential if you are on a big body of water or you fish at night though too.  I've always had color sonar and GPS since I've been fishing so its something I've naturally been used to as essential for 20 years.

 

I have a talon on my boat and I use it frequently but I could go without it if I had to.  I don't have spot lock at this time.

 

The idea of throttling down an outboard without knowing how deep it is just scares me.  Sonar is required.

The OP didn’t list mapping so I just threw it in there.  I agree with you fellas on its importance for navigation.  Granted, we probably could use an app on our phone in a lot of instances.

For your boat my list would be this.

 

One good 8” or up sonar unit with SI, DI, 2D and mapping chip. Mount it on a pivotal mount so when you are fishing  the bow it’s easy to turn towards you. Some of the Ram mounts come to mind.

 

A trolling motor with spot lock. The type is your decision. You can go from low end Minn Kota power drive with no foot pedal up to $3000 TM. Let your budget be your guide.

 

One Power Pole micro anchor. It uses are endless. Including not having to parallel a dock anymore. Nose in using the TM. Anchor pole down and tie off at bow.

 

It goes without saying the best PFD you can afford.