Sonar - Automatic or Manual Mode

[MNLund]

How many of you use your sonar in 'automatic' vs 'manual' mode, and why? If in manual, any tips? I always heard to take off automatic but that was years ago and maybe the technology on the auto settings have improved.

[Chode2235]

I usually fish mine on auto, both depth and sensitivity.

I run an HDS-5 with a map chip. I use the sonar to confirm the map chip, but most of the time I am fishing spots and not fish.

[TomP.]

When I am searching I will always have my sensitivity up and adjust on the fly as depth changes. Once fishing I am in automatic mode.