Boat Sonar Set Up...Need One More Unit & Advice

[montanafos]

Have a 788 HDci on the bow tied in to my Terrova...primarily used for depth. Have an 1197cSI on the console with the SI transducer on the transom left side. When I'm trolling I sit in the console seat facing rearward and find it a pain to have to keep turning around to watch depth. I want to add one more unit to the transom of the boat. I already have the transducer that came with my 788 HDci as I just used the US2 in the Terrova so could get away with a head only. I guess I'm wondering whether or not I should spend the money for a unit like the 788 when I'm really looking for one thing...depth. That's not to say I won't want more functionality out of it, but I already have 2 units with GPS and card slots. Have charts in both of those already and use the 1197 for most all of that. Anyone have a unit suggestion based on their set up or experience with this?

Thanks...

[Topwater]

The 788 is a great unit, you already have the transducer so maybe just buy another power cord and move the 788 from bow to stern depending on presentation. Have it in the bow when your using the terrova and move it to the stern when you troll, would only take a couple seconds to move front to back and save a bunch of money and still get a great unit in the back.
Steve

[Topwater]

My boat is set up with a 998 in the stern of my tiller and a 788 in the bow which just about never gets used. I've been thinking of also buying another power cord and doing as i suggested and setting it up beside my 998 where I spend 95 percent of the time running the boat. In my case i would use the 788 as gps and the 998 for 2d, side and down imaging. (i should of got the 1198 for stern)
Steve

[Shellback]

The 778 is a sonar only unit that uses the same base, cables and transducer as the 788. You could swap them back and forth if needed. The 778HD model can be linked to your other units with an ethernet cable. Or you could drop down to the 500 series units for cost savings. They would give you the same 2D sonar, use the same base, cables, and transducer, but not have ethernet capabilities.

[oldschooltiller]

Depends on your budget. With a wheeled boat, (like you have) you can always put the bow depthfinder in the stern for trolling, and then when on the deck, just turn the console depthfinder around.

If budget isn't that big a concern maybe a used 778. Thing is, when trolling, I personally would want to be able to use my sonar, and mapping together. And you said you only care about the depth. If you really 'only' care about depth, you can always just pick up a bottom of the line, black/white Humminbird.

[montanafos]

Originally Posted by oldschooltiller

Depends on your budget. With a wheeled boat, (like you have) you can always put the bow depthfinder in the stern for trolling, and then when on the deck, just turn the console depthfinder around.

If budget isn't that big a concern maybe a used 778. Thing is, when trolling, I personally would want to be able to use my sonar, and mapping together. And you said you only care about the depth. If you really 'only' care about depth, you can always just pick up a bottom of the line, black/white Humminbird.

Good point. I was not thinking about following contours or trolling from way point to way point...which I do both. I will probably spend the money. I also like the ideas of just using the head off of the bow unit on the back when I'm trolling. When I troll I use the terrova most of the time and if batteries are low or winds force me to I will use the kicker and steer with the terrova. In either case I could swap the 788 from the bow easily as I have the mount, power cord and transducer from when I bought it. Already have a ram mount that'll work as well. Appreciate the input guys.

[1860Angler]

Can you share the transducer from the 1197 via Ethernet if you were to buy a new 788?

[oldschooltiller]

Originally Posted by montanafos

Good point. I was not thinking about following contours or trolling from way point to way point...which I do both. I will probably spend the money. I also like the ideas of just using the head off of the bow unit on the back when I'm trolling. When I troll I use the terrova most of the time and if batteries are low or winds force me to I will use the kicker and steer with the terrova. In either case I could swap the 788 from the bow easily as I have the mount, power cord and transducer from when I bought it. Already have a ram mount that'll work as well. Appreciate the input guys.

Wouldn't it be nice to just put an 1198 at all 3 points?

[montanafos]

Originally Posted by oldschooltiller

Wouldn't it be nice to just put an 1198 at all 3 points?

Ouch! That'd hurt the old pocket book. I went ahead and mounted the Ram mount just behind the false transom and ran the power to the start battery area (gonna add a battery for downriggers and to offset my big self after moving tiller to console side). I am mounting just the base there and will swap out the 788 from the bow when I'm trolling. That'll make wifey happy. May consider another unit next year.