The 3x is an awesome unit I've seen them on clearance at Walmart for as low as $99 I only went with the 4 cause I got It for $200 off lowrance factory site with the 83/200 - 455/800 transducer because the chirp was coming out

Seems like the 3x could be the way to go. Does anybody have any experience with the Humminbird PMAX 197C DI? It says it's a close contender to it, but is better at distinguishing fish.

This is my fishfinder set up on my 10E; I recently purchased a Humminbird Helix 5 Si GPS from TheDigitalOasis.com for $444.95 and free shipping (you can get a less expensive Helix without side imaging). I mounted it to a Ram Mount specific to the Helix and attached it to the the plastick bar by the right front rod holder. No holes needed to be drilled through the hull. The yellow do hickel on the wire harness is a waterproof fuse holder for a 3 amp fuse that Humminbird does not supply, but they tell you that you must use a 3 amp fuse or bye bye warrantee.

Finally took my boat out for its maiden voyage. Learned several things:

1. Streamline the equipment. Was over cautious and took to much stuff making the trip cramped and not very usable.

2. I don't know how to read a fish finder. Yup, I hooked it correctly (pretty sure). I was able to get what seemed like accurate depth readings, but I never saw anything that looked like it should be a fish... Also never got a bite in 3 hrs of boating around. (So results matched the sonar)

3. Find a new lake.... I was at lake medina near San Antonio near the dam. Water measured 60 to 102ft on average. Was not what I planned on. I was hoping to find a small number inlet to anchor in and fish. Will try lake Calaveras or lake Bastrop next.

Overall the boat handled well and I was happy, but I will need to adjust some things to work for me.

was just curious as to what gauge the built in wiring is. If anybody happens to know.

was just curious as to what gauge the built in wiring is. If anybody happens to know.

 

If I'm not mistaken it's 8 AWG.

I agree it is 8awg

This has to be the best thread ever. I love the added 7" riser. It took me a few minutes to get the feeling down. It wasn't exactly tippy but sitting up higher felt a little different. Now I don't even notice. Left the rear seat alone as my wife is only 5'1 and she wouldn't be able to reach the floor. I love this little boat so much that I robbed the Hummingbird off my Ranger bass boat until I can afford another. Added some Bass Pro cheapo rod straps and a battery tray mainly to keep it from sliding around while transporting. I installed two drain plugs in the pontoons to help with any rain water and also I was curious of the condition of the foam. My boat is older so I was half expecting foam mush but it is surprisingly good. Just ordered a small 12v battery for my FF. The best part of this whole deal is that my wife loves this boat as well so this new obsession has a green light.

Yep, the riser makes all the difference in the world for us tall people. Glad you like it. Now you can easily spin around when you need to.

Also, the Lowrance Elite 3x is $90 on Amazon right now.

This is my fishfinder set up on my 10E; I recently purchased a Humminbird Helix 5 Si GPS from TheDigitalOasis.com for $444.95 and free shipping (you can get a less expensive Helix without side imaging). I mounted it to a Ram Mount specific to the Helix and attached it to the the plastick bar by the right front rod holder. No holes needed to be drilled through the hull. The yellow do hickel on the wire harness is a waterproof fuse holder for a 3 amp fuse that Humminbird does not supply, but they tell you that you must use a 3 amp fuse or bye bye warrantee.image.jpg

Looks sweet! After you use it give an update. Be curios how it preforms. Have an Lowerance elite 7 hdi with all the goodies, its kinda hard to get set up. Great once you get used to it tho.

How long would I be able to be out fishing in one of these with just a trolling motor? And are there things that you can have on board to keep your battery charged if it were to die? I am thinking about buying one here in the next couple months and was just wondering if I would need to get a small outboard to go with it. Don't want to spend that kind of money if I don't have to. Also, would I be able to take it out on a good sized lake?

I'm running a Lowrance Elite 3x with a handheld gps beside it. I would like them combined but I had the gps already and did not have the money for the Elite 4 so I have what I have. It has worked out alright for me. I can also say that I can testify that the FF has helped me catch fish.

Here's how I have them mounted:

Bought my Elite 3x from Walmart! It was on sale for 90 there like Amazon, but had free shipping. I was interested in how you had your transducer mounted if you didn't mind showing it?

How long would I be able to be out fishing in one of these with just a trolling motor? And are there things that you can have on board to keep your battery charged if it were to die? I am thinking about buying one here in the next couple months and was just wondering if I would need to get a small outboard to go with it. Don't want to spend that kind of money if I don't have to. Also, would I be able to take it out on a good sized lake?

I have a minn Kota endura max 45# that I use with a 105 amp hour stowaway deep marine battery. It last for about 8 hours with medium use

I have an endura 50 and I can tell you that operation at max setting will severely affect the duration of charge. I usually don't operate it above 3 now and when I'm actually fishing, I use 1 and 2. I can fish longer than my butt can tolerate. Just picked up a MG Bulldog w foot control, haven't had it long enough to evaluate power consumption.

I use a Minn Kota Endura 40 and after 3-4 hours of pretty heavy running I still have 2/3 charge on a 27 battery. Like wnspain said I only use 1-2 speeds while fishing though. I do push it to 4-5 when going to spots if they aren't real far from me.

You guys and your big boats.....less is the new more.....

 

6-1/2' rod shown for scale. 1980 Bass Hunter, 6' long. I was looking for ideas for this gem and found this site and this thread.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bought my Elite 3x from Walmart! It was on sale for 90 there like Amazon, but had free shipping. I was interested in how you had your transducer mounted if you didn't mind showing it?

 

Here's the pic as requested:

 

I got it from Bass Pro Shops. It was designed for several lowrance models. It was more expensive, $25, then I would like but it's the only mount I know of. I see it as the little piece of plastic costing about $23 and the metal clamp $2 from the hardware store.

 

I ran the cable up the trolling motor shaft and used electrical tape in two places to hold it. Could have used zip ties but I did not want to flatten the cable any and I can replace the tape as needed. Because you cannot cut the cable I left it wire tied and place it in the rod holder behind my transducer mount. I left the power cable full length also so I can sell it easier if I ever need too. I spliced the power cable into the trolling motor power with an inline fuse.

 

I have the same mount, only Humminbird brand. < $18.00, free shipping, no sales tax on EBay.

Here's the pic as requested:

 

I got it from Bass Pro Shops. It was designed for several lowrance models. It was more expensive, $25, then I would like but it's the only mount I know of. I see it as the little piece of plastic costing about $23 and the metal clamp $2 from the hardware store.

 

I ran the cable up the trolling motor shaft and used electrical tape in two places to hold it. Could have used zip ties but I did not want to flatten the cable any and I can replace the tape as needed. Because you cannot cut the cable I left it wire tied and place it in the rod holder behind my transducer mount. I left the power cable full length also so I can sell it easier if I ever need too. I spliced the power cable into the trolling motor power with an inline fuse.

Lilsweep, I set mine up almost exactly to how yours. Tried it out for the first time today and had a couple of problems at first. Don't think it was with the mount but can't be sure, i didn't see any "arches" at all that represent fish, just small dots here and there. Did you ever have this problem?

I'm still learning to read it myself. I had the fish id on at first but after watching one of bassresources video s I turned it off my last trip.

Notice in this video if the link worked, that the fish finder says a speed of 5mph. I have only gotten up to 2.1 mph according to my GPS and that was getting back to the ramp. That, I believe, will be why we won't necessarily see arches.

 

Has anyone seen the arches that we are expecting?

Hey fellas, I am new to the topic and looking to purchase a 10e.  I have a 2015 Colorado with a 5.2 inch bed.  With the tailgate down, do you think I will be able to put a 10e in my bed with straps and it be okay?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.

My silverado bed is 6' and with the tailgate down my boat hangs over a couple feet. It doesn't budge with three rachet straps. I just put a red cloth or strap on the end to keep cops happy. You should be fine.

No problem fitting in  bed of my Nissan Frontier (with a 5' bed).  Should fit nicely in your Colorado......

I have a 4 hp Evinrude that came with my boat. Pretty cool motor, but it is overkill and I don't like messing with fuel lines/mixture/more weight/one more thing to hook up at the lake. What I'm wondering is if I should just buy another deep cycle battery so I can run the trolling motor harder to spots and not have to worry about charge. I can sell the outboard and use like 1/5 the money on a battery and the rest on more mods. On the flipside, I have seen some 2hp Evinrudes with a built in tank that look to weigh quite a bit less.