Running multiple depth finders off same boat

[Mr. Twister]

Anybody have any experience running 2 depth finders off the same boat. I would be mounting them on a transducer plate on the back of an aluminum boat. One will be set up on the council and the other up front. Would they cause interference with each other if running at the same time. Does anybody have any tips on getting something like this to work.

Thanks

[Esox_Magnum]

I'll be running 3 this year 2 on the dash one on the bow... Networking can simplify things with 1 ducer or mount the 2nd on the bow mount... Mnay guys run 3-4 units on their boats....

[crappiegetter]

On my aluminum boat I just ran one transducer off the back of the boat. For the bow I just have the transducer on the trolling motor seems to be easier that way then I know exactly what I am over with the front of the boat.

[PerchJerker]

If they operate at the same frequency, you'll get interference when they're both on.

Good options have been mentioned already ....

- if they're newer units that are ethernet capable, you can share the info from one transducer between both units at the same time.

- most guys who have a depthfinder in the bow run it off their trolling motor, either off a univeral sonar transducer in the trolling motor, or by installing a transducer on the trolling motor. Moving the transducers this far apart usually lets you get out to about 30 fow or so before the cones start overlapping and you start getting interference.

Other options ......

- turn off whichever one you're not using, and the interference goes away

- operate them on different frequencies and there won't be interference. The problem here is that 200 kHz is by far the best for freshwater in the depths we're fishing around here, and whichever depthfinder is on a different frequency will not give you as good of detail or coverage

- consider going with one of the Down Scan or Down Imaging units from Lowrance or Humminbird. Down Scan and Down Imaging work on different frequencies than conventional sonar so there won't be interference. And in many situations Down Scan or Down Imaging will show you things you can't see with conventional sonar, and do a better job of seperating out the details. If you go with two DI HB units you could alternate between conventional sonar or DI on either unit for even more options. You can check out the models and pricing at Down Imaging Combos At Pro Fishing Supply

Hope that helps

[harvey lee]

I have one Bird on the bow with the transducer in the trolling motor and the other unit on the counsel with the transducer on the back of the boat.

Seems to work fine as Dave said to a certain depth.

The only time I really use the 2 at the same time is when I am trolling with the trolling motor and have another in the boat.

Nice to have both on so both can see what is going on down below as far as where fish are located and what the depth is.

[h8go4s]

My boat came with a HB Piranha 160 but I wanted a HB 898. They wouldn't give me much for the 160, so I left it mounted and added the 898 myself (both are transom mounted). That way I can run the 898 map or the side imaging in full screen and still have the sonar on the 160. There is some interference, but once you understand what you're seeing on the screen, it's livable. The 898 is switchable from 200 kHz to 83 kHz, but it seems both transducer elements fire all the time, you just select which one is displayed. I also mounted an old Garmin sonar I had, and still got interference. It looks like HB, Garmin and Lowrance all use 200 kHz as the primary frequency.

P.S. Turn off the stupid fish ID, because the interference will give you lots of false returns.

P.P.S. It's a console, not a council or a counsel. C O N S O L E

[whos_on_first]

Not to be confused with...

con·sole

verb (used with object), -soled, -sol·ing.

to alleviate or lessen the grief, sorrow, or disappointment of; give solace or comfort: Only his children could console him when his wife dropped the lower unit.

[Mr. Twister]

Thanks for all the great(Grate????) info everybody.

Sorry about the big spelling error as well.

Guess I have to proof read a bit better next time.