Cheap Sonar to V2

[TruthWalleyes]

I've got a 70# V2 IPILOT on its way. I'd like to add a small sonar only fish finder to the bow and either hook up to the V2 or attach transducer to TM.

Looking for color screen. HAS to have the ability to pick up a jig while vertical jigging under the trolling motor up to 30 fow. I don't care if it is lowrance or humminbird as i won't connect it to my 898csi anyway.

Been checking out 5" or smaller screens. Don't want GPS.

Any help? Vertical jigging is the most important. Do these lower cost units have the same 2d sonar capabilities as the higher end units?

[solbes]

Lowrance HDS 5x would work (sonar only). Challenge might be to find one of the cheaper Gen 1 units still on a shelf (or buy used). My HDS 7 tracks a jig perfectly if you are in the cone.

[RK]

Any help? Vertical jigging is the most important. Do these lower cost units have the same 2d sonar capabilities as the higher end units?

Short answer is it depends. Some units will have identical power output to larger units, some don't. Just have to look at the specs.

If it were me, I'd look hard at either the 596C HD or 778 HD Humminbirds. The HD units are really easy to see even with sun shining on them. Both have the Switchfire feature, which I already figured out I like for vertical jigging even though I've only had my Birds for a month or so. Can turn it to max mode and see a 3" plastic and a 3/16 oz teardrop weight on a drop shot rig as two distinct returns, plus it's really easy to see the fish 'go red' when they're right under the transducer. Dual beam is nice too.

778 would give the option of networking it in with your other Birds, but if it's truly a stand-alone unit, the 596 is more or less the same unit minus ethernet for around $300.

[TruthWalleyes]

I've been tossing between 596cHD and Elite-5x. I see both are 83/200 and 4000 watts. My 898 is 8000 watts so definitely not as good, but at minimal depths i suppose it doesn't make too much of a difference?

I'll assume i could hook either of these up to a MinnKota V2 transducer?

Will i get interference with my HBird running off the transom when both units are on? I do have the option to switch my sonar to my quadrabeam transducer which i believe works at 400hz, but then my SI doesn't work unless i flip the switch back to HDSI transducer.

[TruthWalleyes]

If i do step up to a 788HD i would be just as tempted to consider the lowrance gen 2 at the identical price point. Though, i could link the 788HD with my 898 of which i'm not sure what the benefits would be on a sonar only unit.

[Brad B]

If i do step up to a 788HD i would be just as tempted to consider the lowrance gen 2 at the identical price point. Though, i could link the 788HD with my 898 of which i'm not sure what the benefits would be on a sonar only unit.

I think a bird 596 would be the best if you only want a stand alone unit. the thing about linking a 788 to a side imaging or even down imaging unit is that you will only be able to share the gps data between the unit. the only benefit I can see to connecting a 788 and a 898 is if you ever add I pilot link to this trolling motor you are getting. it would double the number of way points, I tracks, & spot locks you can store for the I Pilot Link.

[hamms-scooter]

If you are just using it to jig why not throw your flasher on the bow?

[TruthWalleyes]

If you are just using it to jig why not throw your flasher on the bow?

I suppose that is not a bad idea. What would it take to connect the V2 sonar to my Marcum?

[Brad B]

Truth there is no adapter commercially made by minnekota to hook a Marcum to the V2. I did ask the one sales associate at Cabela's in Rogers about the possibility of a private electronics person being able to make a adapter, he gave me a name but I have since lost it. I believe the person was in Anoka.

[TruthWalleyes]

No biggie. I sent an email to Marcum yesterday. We'll see what they say.

[morepower02]

In my opinion the Lowrance Elite 5 at $380 is the best deal on the market right now onmy $30 more than the 5x and you get internal gps. We sell a ton of them.