Trying to decide between two 12” units or one big 16” (or bigger). The unusual requirement I have is that I need to remove the bowel unit all the time for family activities. So I need something that’s easily removed.  I’ve always had a 12” and 7” unit at bow for  livescope (12”)  and mapping (7”) but wondering if I can simplify to just one graph.  I’m just a little concerned about having to either bend down and tap on screen to switch back and forth to see waypoints or do a split screen and whether that will be an annoyance not having a dedicated livescope screen. Thoughts? 

My little Ranger came with two Lowrance Combo units, one in the dash and one mounted on the front floor of the boat.  Here in Florida, any water over 8 feet deep is rare.  Because of this, I rarely use my front unit.  Your local conditions and how you fish will determine what you need.  

I agree with this.  I would also add that it depends on how much space you have at the bow.  There is almost no way I could even fit two screens of that size at my bow.  I'd have to get really creative with the layout to even make it possible.

 

I like fishing.  Not staring at screens.

I would definitely go with 2 screens, you can maximize the information that way. Split screens don't look great imo and you're gonna get a much much smaller picture of each going split on a 16" vs 2 12"s.

You didn’t mention what boat you have, what brand of electronics (presumably Garmin since you mentioned LS), what bodies of water, or how much you rely on your electronics… I believe those factors will dictate how satisfied you would be with a 16” unit running splits.

 

I have a Ranger Z521L, so I have quite a bit of room to work with. I have a Lowrance ecosystem, and run two 12” HDS Lives at the bow and a 16” HDS Live at the console.

 

I fish Mead and Mohave mostly, so they are deep and clear. I rely on all aspects of my electronics - mapping, 2D, SI and AT2. I have one unit more or less dedicated for AT2, and run various splits on the second bow unit depending on what I’m doing and where I’m doing it.

 

The Lowrance units are fully configurable regarding split screens and adjustments, so I have a number configured for my console unit. Being able to adjust the splits almost infinitely is a huge advantage, and makes the single console unit a perfect fit for me.

 

Due to this, I certainly believe I could run a single 16” at the bow, but prefer dual units. I may actually pick up a deal on a used 16” if I can find one and swap out one of my 12’s, but I’ll still run dual units.

 

One of the best features of the HDS units is the configurable buttons for favorite pages… makes it simple to swap to specific screens with the press of a single button.

 

Good luck with your decision, and Merry Christmas!

I'm satisfied with two 10 in. HB Helixes at the bow. One runs Mega Live only, the other unit underneath runs either mapping or Mega 360.

I just have a rope up there 

Is that next to your spinnerbait box?

It’s above it. I have dozens of ineffective spinnerbaits, thinking about assembling them into a lovely arts and crafts project 

Lowrance Active Target isn't......good on a split screen regardless of screen size.  Part of the screen get's pinched, or cut off on a shared screen.   I suspect Live Scope is the same way.   I don't us mapping at my bow but I fish the same lake most of the time.  I've got a 7" and 9" at the console, and a 12" on the bow.   

I’m going to be running two on the bow this season. 12” for livescope only. Helix 10 Mdi for everything else.

With Live Scope or similar ffs units and a sonar/gps unit I would prefer 2 ea 12” units mounted stacked. The top unit is closer to you and easier to see and adjust or tinker with.

Tom

On 12/24/2023 at 4:39 PM, TnRiver46 said:

thinking about assembling them into a lovely arts and crafts project 

I could send you a couple whopper ploppers for an addition to that project after my wife takes down the xmas tree.  Right now they are being used as ornaments.

Two units for me at the bow. I run a 106 ultra on top of a 126 up front and a 93sv at the console. The 126 is for LS when I’m running it otherwise I will run one screen with maps (usually the 106) and the other with side and down imaging. I have a smaller light boat and I cruise around quite a bit with my trolling motor so I can do a lot of offshore graphing from the bow and having both those units working is great. 

I tried one big one (Helix 15) and I prefer 2.  Went with two Helix 12 and really like this set up.  

Thanks. But the thing that I was most hoping to hear is if anyone has any thoughts on easily removing their setup. I know I would prefer two (poss 3) separate units if they stayed up there all the time.  But I have to remove it each time I finish fishing.  So anyone have experience with an easily removed setup?  Also, I can’t believe no one has given me a hard time about having “bowel” as opposed to “bow” lol!  You guys are slipping! Good ol' autocorrect 

It is called redundancy. Would you like 1 giant screen with everything on it that fails and you see nothing, or 2 smaller screens where 1 screen fails and other the works?

 

There is always a single point of failure but these can be highly mitigated but lets not get too crazy, do you need two batteries, two separate wiring harnesses going to two batteries?

1 hour ago, clemsondds said:

Thanks. But the thing that I was most hoping to hear is if anyone has any thoughts on easily removing their setup. I know I would prefer two (poss 3) separate units if they stayed up there all the time.  But I have to remove it each time I finish fishing.  So anyone have experience with an easily removed setup?  Also, I can’t believe no one has given me a hard time about having “bowel” as opposed to “bow” lol!  You guys are slipping! Good ol' autocorrect 

 

Pretty sure all the big manufacturers have screens that easily detach from their cradle. Those locking thumbscrews just look like they give a thief more of a reason to damage your stuff.

 

I pop out all finders of the boat every trip - plus I have a cradle/battery inside the house so I can do updates during the winter, play with it, change settings etc.

 

Like so for the console - bow is the same.

 

Even the Garmin Force is removable as it is on a MKA-42 mount, again so I can update it during the winter.

 

 

I flush mount mine.

 

And my boat's in the garage when its not in use.

 

I do agree that removing them is a good idea if they are easily accessible though.  Seems kind of annoying but better safe than sorry.

Flush mounting is fine - but since I live in the midwest like yourself, I don't want my expensive finders sitting out in sub zero weather all winter - even the garage gets down to zero where I am at. Plus I really like my stuff to stay mine

Totally understand that.  I remove mine for the winter too and bring them inside.  Although it does say in the manual they can be used down to temps of 5 degrees F.

 

Your garage is getting down to zero?  That's cold for a garage.  I am further north than you by quite a ways and my garage has never gotten that cold.  Its usually about 30-35 degrees warmer than the outside air temps.