Minnkota Universal Sonar - any good?

[Bobby]

I've been seriously thinking about getting a Lowrance X-15 sonar and a Minnkota Autopilot bowmount trolling motor. Plan is to mount the sonar on the bow, and I'd like to use it in conjunction with the trolling motor (ie: fastened to the lower unit).

I was thinking about the 200/50 khz model transducer for the Lowrance. However, I see that Minnkota has introduced 'universal sonar' built inside the 2002 Autopilot's lower unit. All that I've seen for details about this 'universal sonar' feature, though, is that its a "high frequency transducer puck."

First, does anyone know what degree cone & khz Minnkota's 'universal sonar' transducer will have and how many watts of power it will have? Second question, in your opinion, will the 'universal sonar' transducer be a step down (and if so, how much of a step down) from Lowrance's 200/50 transducer?

What'd'ya guys think?

[rmitchel]

Great question.

I would really like to purchase the AP 65 from Cabela's (refurbished), but I keep thinking about the Universal Sonar. Right now I use the Garmin with the dual frequency sonar. Would this be better than the one included with the Universal Sonar. I was trying to get away from the cable running down the shaft, but perhaps the Universal Sonar is not the way.

Help.

MathMan

[Backwater Eddy]

What sonar's are compatible with the Minnkota Universal Sonar unit? Are there different cone angle options available too?

I plan to get a Auto Pilot this season and if it will work with the Vexilar EDGE it would interest me greatly to know for sure. If it does it would mean one less transducer installation and hopefully fewer problems.

With the addition on a transducer switch I would have many more user options on this style installation.

Sounds like a good plan if they match.

><,SUMO,>

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>

[Bad Finger]

The way I understand it, it's not really "Universal". When you order the unit, you have to indcate the sonar unit you plan to use. The Edge2 was not one of the supported units. Lowrance/Eagle, Garmin, Humminbird were on the list...can't remember it there were others.

[Muleskinner]

I was hoping to go the way of the universal sonar for a x-15 with a minnkota maxum 101. Minnkota does not put the sonar in the 101. Go to www.minnkota.net and you can see a list of sonars that are compatible with the universal transducers. Like they say push a button find a fish.


Good fish finding,
Kevin

[Backwater Eddy]

Thanks, I will shoot them a email and see if they have a option avalable on the EDGE 2.

><,SUMO,>

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>