So another thread got me to thinking, if you could only have ONE unit on your boat, which would it be? The FFS live-imaging or a unit that does side/down scan and why?

 

I do not have any experience with livescope or similar, and limited experience with side scan but curious what some of you that do have experience think about this. 

Side imaging and Down imaging are way more important than FFS in my opinion. You can find structure quicker idling the boat using down and side scan compared to being on the TM using FFS to find it. 

I would add something else that is more important: basic 2-D color sonar and HD mapping.  I get far more use out of those than I do with side scan or down scan.

I run a 16.5 ft Deep V with tiller motor and transom trolling motor, and do most all of my fishing from that back position. This allows me to have FFS, GPS, DI/SI/2D/HD “live” mapping all on a single unit and not have to sacrifice any one feature for another - best of all worlds for me ?

 

In your case, it might come down to how you prefer to fish (offshore vs bank), what species you chase (only bass?) and how familiar you are with the waters you frequent. Each function has its benefits. If you already know the lake like ‘the back of your hand,’ FFS becomes more valuable IMO.

@Team9nine is spot on.   It depends on how you fish and how well you know the water.  If I was fishing a tournament trail I would go with traditional sonar because it would allow me to explore new water quickly.  I’m not fishing tournaments so I would go with Live Sonar and take my time getting to know new water more thoroughly.