Hope I have the right forum…apologies if not!  I am getting back into bass fishing with a boat after a long dry spell.  Bought an older Stratos FS 295.  I’m wondering what TM and electronics to add.  I keep hearing and reading about spot lock and FFS, Side Scan, etc.

 

I’d like to stay middle of the road as I will be primarily weekend fishing in 15 ft or less with some catfishing in the local river.

 

Would side scan be my best bet instead of FFS?  It sounds like both are needed for full effectiveness but side scan is the best foundation to start with.

 

What trolling motor and side scan if that’s the best route?  Know I need a longer shaft than normal on the TM.

 

Any recommends appreciated!

Spot Lock TM is the 1st item needed.

FFS imo is the last component a weekend bass angler needs.

So let’s talk budget because that drives sonar choices.

If you choose MinnKota TM then Hummin Bird sonar is compatible. Traditional 2D down scan gives you depth, structure, cover, fish and the ability to use GPS maps/boat location. Adding side scan is helpful for shore or shallower use.

Next consideration is batteries.

Tom

1 hour ago, mheichelbech said:

I’m wondering what TM and electronics to add.

 

I run a Lowrance Ghost trolling motor on my RT178 and a pair of Elite Ti2s, 7" & 9".  I'd put a 'spot lock' trolling motor at the top of your upgrade list, regardless of brand.

 

As far as the electronics, that's entirely up to you. I find Lowrance easy to use but a friend's Garmin units have much better screens. I would also choose side scan before FFS.  Side scan shows you structure you can mark on your map and go back to (which I think @WRB mentioned above). 

 

All the top brands are good.  Go to Bass Pro, Cabelas, or a marine store that has them on display and play with them.  

It's not a choice between side scan and FFS.  I don't think there is a fish finder on the market that will display FFS data that does not also have side scan.   FFS is an add-on so start with side scan and add FFS when you're ready.

1. Determine your budget. 
2. TM with spot lock and the proper power for your boat.

3. Electronics compatible with the TM you’ve choose 

4. Batteries for your TM & battery for starting motor with enough 

      AH for your electronics and accessories. 
Good luck on your search and make it enjoyable. 👍

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Spot Lock TM is the 1st item needed.

FFS imo is the last component a weekend bass angler needs.

So let’s talk budget because that drives sonar choices.

If you choose MinnKota TM then Hummin Bird sonar is compatible. Traditional 2D down scan gives you depth, structure, cover, fish and the ability to use GPS maps/boat location. Adding side scan is helpful for shore or shallower use.

Next consideration is batteries.

Tom

Thanks.  I’m guessing Lithium is the way to go?  

1 hour ago, mheichelbech said:

Thanks.  I’m guessing Lithium is the way to go?  

Yes, but keep lead acid for the cranking battery. Practically speaking, that probably means 3x 100 ah lithiums of your choice. 

I really like my ultrex. I have the “old” ultrex (bought in 2023 lol) with ipilot link and it is fantastic. I only have experience operating the ultrex but I will say that the housing that protects the built in imaging seems to take a better beating than the lowrance ghost. That’s just from my observation seeing torn up equipment in tournaments. I don’t have any experience with Garmin or powerpole motors.

 

Once you select your trolling motor, I would select a graph that’s compatible. I have humminbird helix units that are pretty good. Most models are discontinued, so you might be able to find a deal on them. They have been replaced by the Xplore which I have heard is a really solid unit.
 

If you are interested in FFS down the road, you want to make sure you get the latest unit so compatibility is not an issue when it’s time to upgrade. Good luck with your decision. 

2 hours ago, stk44 said:

I really like my ultrex. I have the “old” ultrex (bought in 2023 lol) with ipilot link and it is fantastic. I only have experience operating the ultrex but I will say that the housing that protects the built in imaging seems to take a better beating than the lowrance ghost. That’s just from my observation seeing torn up equipment in tournaments. I don’t have any experience with Garmin or powerpole motors.

 

Once you select your trolling motor, I would select a graph that’s compatible. I have humminbird helix units that are pretty good. Most models are discontinued, so you might be able to find a deal on them. They have been replaced by the Xplore which I have heard is a really solid unit.
 

If you are interested in FFS down the road, you want to make sure you get the latest unit so compatibility is not an issue when it’s time to upgrade. Good luck with your decision. 

 

The explor is a significant step up from a helix.  The imaging quality on SI/DI is about the same, but live 2 is better.  The touchscreen is really nice and the screen itself seems just a little bit more refined.  The processor is faster.  if you have a helix there is no need to upgrade unless you want ML2.  But if you’re starting fresh then Explor is a bump better.  

7 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

The explor is a significant step up from a helix.  The imaging quality on SI/DI is about the same, but live 2 is better.  The touchscreen is really nice and the screen itself seems just a little bit more refined.  The processor is faster.  if you have a helix there is no need to upgrade unless you want ML2.  But if you’re starting fresh then Explor is a bump better.  

Honestly, even if I was using ML1 I would still want the Xplore. I didn’t think I wanted touch screen when I bought my boat a couple of years ago, but it would be super helpful. 
 

I think the processing speed is the huge upgrade. I honestly cannot believe how delayed the helix is some times. 

2 hours ago, stk44 said:

Honestly, even if I was using ML1 I would still want the Xplore. I didn’t think I wanted touch screen when I bought my boat a couple of years ago, but it would be super helpful. 
 

I think the processing speed is the huge upgrade. I honestly cannot believe how delayed the helix is some times. 

I agree it is faster, but at the same time I never had issues with the speed of the helix.  maybe because it was the only head unit on my kayak and I wasn't taxing the processor?  But the xplore is definitely faster and having touch screen means it is faster in real time use when you are riding around graphing things.  With the helix you had to move the cursor with the dial pad and even when you were quick with it you'd lose 50-100' of bottom when you went back to the current image.  Touchscreen is great for that.  

I definitely struggle navigating between the active screens, but yeah, overall the helix is still a great unit. I have a 10+ year on Garmin echo 150 on my kayak, so it’s worlds ahead of that one. 😀

On my helix 7 I pared down the views until I had the 4-5 that I would use with any regularity.  the rest were hidden.  On the helix 9 there were 3 presets so I had my combo view (side, down, 2D), ML, and ML + map set on the presets.  I hid a bunch like vessel view.  Most of the time though I only needed the 3 presets.  It works, but touchscreen plus presets is fantastic.  On the console unit I have my combo view a map combo view, and ML on the presets.  On the bow unit it is ML, ML+map, and I'm not even sure of the third.  If I need something else, a quick home button reveals 8 or 10 favorites (of which I don't even have 3 of them assigned).  Just too easy.  

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

On my helix 7 I pared down the views until I had the 4-5 that I would use with any regularity.  the rest were hidden.  On the helix 9 there were 3 presets so I had my combo view (side, down, 2D), ML, and ML + map set on the presets.  I hid a bunch like vessel view.  Most of the time though I only needed the 3 presets.  It works, but touchscreen plus presets is fantastic.  On the console unit I have my combo view a map combo view, and ML on the presets.  On the bow unit it is ML, ML+map, and I'm not even sure of the third.  If I need something else, a quick home button reveals 8 or 10 favorites (of which I don't even have 3 of them assigned).  Just too easy.  

Thanks!  These responses are all very helpful!  I do have one more question.  I am chatting with 2 different dealers on the equipment.  One local and one not local.  The not local one seems to be getting a much better deal….saving maybe as much as a $1,000.  My concern on the non-local is if I have an issue, who can I turn to for support?  Is that worth $1,000?  There is a Bass Pro and Cabelas very nearby but I don’t know if that helps anything or not.

$1k difference for the same fish finder?  That buys a lot of service time if you need it.

 

What units/setup are you considering? How are they going to be installed by the non local dealer (you take it to them?)?  Will the local one match the price?

The difference is with the sonar and trolling motor. The out of town dealer has access to a refurb.  Also, apparently a difference is taxes