Arizona Crappie Association

Fishing and Dock Talk => Crappie Gear => Topic started by: PhishingPhreek on January 14, 2020, 01:38 PM

Title: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: PhishingPhreek on January 14, 2020, 01:38 PM
Anyone who has been on my boat knows how horrible the electronics on my boar are. Both fish finders on my boat came with the boat in 2003. They both have "sun burns" and the one on the bow is so bad it's completely useless...  The one at my driver's seat works, but I have to squint my eyes and tilt my head and hope the sun is behind me be able to see anything.

With that, I'm looking to get something relatively cheap for a few years. I've been holding off on getting anything because I want to toss a bad ass system on there, but I have other priorities right now with kids and all.  :laugh:

I'm looking at getting the Lowrance Hook2 (not sure the size yet) because they seem okay and are pretty affordable for a few years. Does anyone have experience with these units? What kind of transducer setup would you suggest?

I also have a terrova with the transducer built in, but I've never used it. Does anyone know if that's a decent thing for my front graph or would it be better to get an upgraded one and just attach it?
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: PhishingPhreek on January 16, 2020, 10:23 AM
Bump...?

Does any one have a preference on having the side view on your front fish finder? Trying to figure out if spending the extra on side view on the front it worth it or now.
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: timbo on January 16, 2020, 02:37 PM
You can find good used stuff at texasfishing forum igot Lawrence 7 hds 7 for 200 and he gave me mapping card too
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: sparkchaser on January 16, 2020, 04:44 PM
I use 2 HDSI transducers. One on the transom, one on the trolling motor. I'm actually getting ready to add 360 to the trolling motor, and loose the front ducer. My setup worked great. Only thing I didn't like was all the breaks in the screen when using the front ducer while making turns. One of the reasons I'm going to 360.

In your case, I would just get a set up with a transom ducer only. If you are going to upgrade down the road, why spend money on stuff you are more than likely going to replace.
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: cousinlll on January 16, 2020, 05:39 PM
For the time being, are you thinking one graph mounted on the console in such a way you can also see it while sitting upfront?  Turning the graph so you can see it while searching for fish using your big motor, then turning it so you can see it while sitting upon front while using TM?

a bit old school here but...... get a used SI/DI unit, mount it at your console.  Get two HDSI transducers mounting one aft & the other mount on your TM.  You connect the two transducers to a transducer switch and from there to your graph.  That way while looking for fish you select the aft transducer & while sitting upfront select the TM transducer.  Yes, you'll have to turn around to see your graph but....

Or, as Champ mentioned, keep your pennies in your piggy bank for awhile longer   :greengrin:
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: PhishingPhreek on January 16, 2020, 05:55 PM
I really like having two different displays. Plus, the way my boat was cut out and designed, I have these slots specifically designed to hold fish finders, so I want to put them in there.

I'm starting to lean toward just replacing my front fish finder (which hasn't worked for 10 years) with the Garmin Striker Plus 7CV. I'll skip the side view up front, because I just don't feel like I need it for how I fish, and  I'll stick to the CHIRP traditional sonar plus CHIRP ClearVü (for a Garmin).

When I'm ready to go big, maybe I'll switch to the single transducer on the back, but I definitely like knowing what the front of the boat is over instead of the back. I'll just have to see. Then I'll need to figure out the display I'll use for my dash because I currently have a 4" on there, and I'm not sure where I can add a bigger one. It's pretty crowded at the steering wheel on my Triton.
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: o from wi on January 17, 2020, 08:15 AM
I use 2 HDSI transducers. One on the transom, one on the trolling motor. I'm actually getting ready to add 360 to the trolling motor, and loose the front ducer. My setup worked great. Only thing I didn't like was all the breaks in the screen when using the front ducer while making turns. One of the reasons I'm going to 360.

In your case, I would just get a set up with a transom ducer only. If you are going to upgrade down the road, why spend money on stuff you are more than likely going to replace.

Are going with 360 Mega? If not, I-have a 360 transom mount for like $500. Looking at a 360 Mega but it won’t work on my  Terova.  Looking for mounting options???
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: sparkchaser on January 17, 2020, 08:59 AM
I use 2 HDSI transducers. One on the transom, one on the trolling motor. I'm actually getting ready to add 360 to the trolling motor, and loose the front ducer. My setup worked great. Only thing I didn't like was all the breaks in the screen when using the front ducer while making turns. One of the reasons I'm going to 360.

In your case, I would just get a set up with a transom ducer only. If you are going to upgrade down the road, why spend money on stuff you are more than likely going to replace.

Are going with 360 Mega? If not, I-have a 360 transom mount for like $500. Looking at a 360 Mega but it won’t work on my  Terova.  Looking for mounting options???

I bought a used non mega 360 for my trolling motor. Came with the mounting adapter for Terrova from Cornfield Crappie.
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: PhishingPhreek on February 09, 2020, 09:51 PM
After talking to a few of you and doing a little more research I decided I wanted to in the Garmin direction... However, I just got an adverisement from BPS that they have the Lowrance Elite-9 TI TotalScan is on sale for $599 (They're advertising that it's $400 off).

It's 9", has SideScan, DownScan, Chartplotting, and is a touch screen. Does anyone have personal experience with this one?
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: craigm on February 10, 2020, 08:53 AM
I was a Lowrance guy since the original Green box 1967 ? , I bought a Garmin 93plus vs last year for 599 then the livescope , before I bought the livescope the 93pluss was run in all modes next to a HDS9 touch there was no contest the garmin showed better views in all three chirp modes 2d downscan,side scan , if you can manage it the 93plus vs has been discontinued and is being replaced by the ultra series . it can be had new on line for 500-600 and will support livescope . (livescope is an option costing 1400 ) I am speaking from over 12 months of using Garmin and Livescope . nothing out there is better for finding and catching crappy period . If you would like to see it in action I would be happy to arrange a time where you can see it in action Bartlett or Pleasant ? Garmin is the least expensive way to get good hd sonar and the addition of livescope makes it a nobrainer. Sat on Bartlett Orien and Hambone met me on the water at Bartlett. While we were in talking range separate boats I found and caught 5 crappies 2 a double ,.located and tracked them on my Livescope . I am able to locate schools 100 ft from the boat direct the boat to the school place the bait at the level of the fish and hold the boat in them as the school moves. I do not work for Garmin ,just paying it forward ,for what we do there is nothing out there right now that is even close in performance or economy. again if you want to see it before you buy give me a PM for my phone or check the club records and we can work something out jusr do not pull the trigger before you see this work and oh yeah the Striker will not support panoptix or livescope it is not the unit you need the Echo Map is .
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: IAMMAC on February 14, 2020, 03:00 PM
Craig,

I'm also in the market and have been contemplating going with Garmin.  Do you fine the live scope only beneficial if you are vertically fishing or can it be used for spider rigging and or casting for Crappie.  All of the videos I've seen they have been fishing a vertical presentation.  I'd like to know your thoughts since you already have it.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: craigm on February 14, 2020, 09:41 PM
Imagine downscan in full motion realtime , then with the ability to directional scan side back 360 all in realtime full motion, I have used it successfully to Spyder rig and also casting to fish , Livescope identifies fish out to 200 ft  I use it at 100 ft range and less while trolling and scanning , my tranducer ( have the 32 model) is mounted on the trolling motor 8 inches infront of the motor ( eliminates all interference) so where ever I point the motor it shows me what is directly infront of it ( you can set it to down scan but I have not used it that way yet . I am going to use it this summer for walleyes up north but have not yet.By using the remote hand control on my Terrova I scan side to side Up to 360 degrees , again using the hand remote you can shut off the motor to scan 360 degrees if you want to .The live scope tells me exactly where the fish are in depth and distance in what ever direction I point it, I then maneuver the boat directly  with my terrova into the fish , with the baits adjusted to the exact depth of the target fish I can place my longpole baits right in them everytime . Thursday my Buddy Glenn was stunned and cracked up laughing the first time I did it, I pointed the ducer at a school ( which shows up clearly on the screen ) and we watched the fish in real time  take the bait right at the end of a 16 ft pole , the pole shook we set the hook  26 times . For a guy who fishes like Fishless you would target the fish, place the boat where you wanted cast out the distance to the fish count down your bait and hope they are hungry for what you threw .It will not make them bite but it will put you right on the fish . Right now the re are $200 rebates on the Livescope options ihave the 1499 model transducer and black box . the Black box take a additional power source a 10 guage wire directly to the Battery and a 7.5 amp breaker but I have found that with my Engel drawing 12 volts and the 93sv plus running the additional electric draw runs the battery down to 11.6 volts and it stays there for up to 7 hours . This boat does not have an AGM battery for a starter when I change it up I will replace it with the a NorthStar 31 (like my walleye boat) that is the only thing special about an install and my current group 27 handles it ok . If you can arrainge a time I would be happy to give you a demo on the lake , I have last years 93 touch screen and a 94 (saltwater model) the new models not only have chirp tech in every mode they now have a high def transducers . I may get a 12 inch as my eyes are not getting any younger but a 7 inch will work for spyder rigging
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: craigm on February 15, 2020, 06:07 AM
I found this on another site it is a bit long but really describes the function of different types of Sonar including Livescope , http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1034513 , there is a utube video several posts down
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: Fishless on February 19, 2020, 04:08 PM
After talking to a few of you and doing a little more research I decided I wanted to in the Garmin direction... However, I just got an adverisement from BPS that they have the Lowrance Elite-9 TI TotalScan is on sale for $599 (They're advertising that it's $400 off).

It's 9", has SideScan, DownScan, Chartplotting, and is a touch screen. Does anyone have personal experience with this one?

I got my Garmin with built in mapping and as Craig says there is no comparison between a Garmin and the Lowrance I have the Lowrance Elite 7 chirp etc. Finally installed my Garmin WOW  much clearer down and now side scan, very easy with the touch screen for an old fool to program it is an impressive graph so far. This Garmin unit was $1099 got it on sale at BPS during there pre black Friday sale for $599. BPS has a big boat show coming up soon they may have that Garmin on sale if your lucky :dontknow:
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: craigm on February 28, 2020, 06:22 PM
And I thought it could not get any better,   https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200225005050/en/?fbclid=IwAR25WHfsiLxW_MaKwXUUTTW1NjkxgjU2up0mNJyUi8yf2xVP-pkUWNmdLh8 , the download is free , I will be back in Az Wed hope to have this downloaded in time to get to Alamo on Sat, look like a garmin version of MEGA for free
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: PhishingPhreek on March 12, 2020, 11:50 AM
I'm finally gonna be running with the big boys now! Finally upgrading my fish finder.

Got is $400 off because it's "last year's" model.  :blob1:

(http://azcrappie.com/images/Uploads/phreeksnewfinder.jpg)
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: craigm on March 12, 2020, 12:11 PM
Congradulations , you will not regret it
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: Fishless on March 12, 2020, 03:01 PM
I'm finally gonna be running with the big boys now! Finally upgrading my fish finder.

Got is $400 off because it's "last year's" model.  :blob1:

(http://azcrappie.com/images/Uploads/phreeksnewfinder.jpg)

That be it, take your time reading the manual and mess with it on the lake the dang thing can launch a missile, you can program each feature and it takes a while you can do some preliminary set up in the drive way with the unit on 
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: PhishingPhreek on March 12, 2020, 05:50 PM
That be it, take your time reading the manual and mess with it on the lake the dang thing can launch a missile, you can program each feature and it takes a while you can do some preliminary set up in the drive way with the unit on 

This is the one you got at BPS on Black Friday, right? The BPS guy said it was the same sale they had for Black Friday because they were trying to get rid of them because of the new models for this year. It was a pretty awesome deal and won't be a "temporary" one like I was looking for.
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: craigm on March 12, 2020, 09:17 PM
That be it, take your time reading the manual and mess with it on the lake the dang thing can launch a missile, you can program each feature and it takes a while you can do some preliminary set up in the drive way with the unit on 

This is the one you got at BPS on Black Friday, right? The BPS guy said it was the same sale they had for Black Friday because they were trying to get rid of them because of the new models for this year. It was a pretty awesome deal and won't be a "temporary" one like I was looking for.
  that is the right one ,93 plus sv , chirp in all 3 modes ,Livescope will work on it as an upgrade if you want to go that route
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: PhishingPhreek on March 12, 2020, 10:30 PM
that is the right one ,93 plus sv , chirp in all 3 modes ,Livescope will work on it as an upgrade if you want to go that route

I probably won't do Livescope on this one if I ever go that route. This will be my dash mounted graph using the transducer on the back of my boat. I would rather have the front graph utilize Livescope on my trolling motor.

Also, thanks for all the advise on helping me get my new one Craig.
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: Fishless on March 13, 2020, 05:38 AM
That is it their pre black Friday it was $500 off, you will like the graph after you dial it in.
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: craigm on March 13, 2020, 09:06 AM
If you get a second one (echoap plus) even a 7 inch up front you can network them to receive the Livescope anywhere . I just Down loaded , Perspective for mine gotta make a bracket to turn the transducer on its side to do MEGA  , now if it would just stop raining . I spent a lot of time on Bartlett last week watching the livescope and found out some interesting things about Crappie behavior regarding boat noises ,predators , trolling motor noise etc ,water temp ,  I would like to share with you guys . For example late in the day when the water temp rises it seemed the fish were only 3-6 ft down still feeding but you would not see them on 2d sonar or side view but with livescope they were clearly there and by adjusting baits upward catchable , It might explain why in the past on Alamo the lake seemed to shut off in the afternoon ,also noticed that when a Boat with a old looper Johnson motor came by the fish went for the bottom and hunckered down til a while after he was gone yet other boats did not bother them .There is much more ,It has been an interesting experience to fish with this tech .   
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: craigm on March 19, 2020, 01:54 PM
just saw this on another site (WalleyeCentral ) looks like a great deal ,                                             
Unread03-15-2020, 01:41 PM   
 
 


 
 
 
 

 
 93SV plus and livescope lvs32 bundle back in stock at: $1999.99. This bundle does qualify for the $200 mail in rebate from Garmin. Purchase right here at:

https://www.russellmarineproducts.co...us93sv-cmb.htm
Title: Re: Yet Another Fish Finder Post
Post by: craigm on March 23, 2020, 07:44 PM
I just saw this on BBC , the author has been on our site, Azbowhunter  aka Dick King and a guy I have had the pleasure of fishing with , in an earliier life a Walleye guide on Lake Mille Lacs , longtime AZ resident , he has done a lot of work using planner boards and crankbaits plug for Crappies here in AZ , and  now a he came up with a cheap easy way to get perspective on Livescope ,   http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1043133 ,
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