Universal Sonar

[gunflint]

I'll be purchasing a bow mount trolling motor sometime during the early summer. I'm interested in the Universal Sonar. I plan on running a Vexilar FL-18 up front with it. Is the Universal Sonar as good as the tranducer that comes with the flasher? Or is it better to save the money on the Universal Sonar and mount the transducer to the trolling motor. Any experience out there?

[BIG DS]

I will work just fine. You will recieve less interference with the built in ducer then you would with the clamp on and the built in is a lot cleaner (no extra cords to get caught on something). The dealer you buy your motor through should have the patch cord for you.

[Chris Haley]

DS is right here, the built in does have less interference. Also, Minnkota has a rebate going right now for those models making them even cheaper than the regular units.

[katoguy]

The rebate is $50 IF you purchase an autopilot or plain powerdrive AND a co-pilot at the same time.

If you go with a maxxum-style motor, the promotion is for a free angler shirt.

[LocalGuide]

I also recommend getting a universal sonar MinnKota. Like someone else stated, they don’t have a cord handing from the side to catch on something and they also have less interference. It’s a good buy IMO. I have one on my boat and I wouldn’t go any other way.

[EJ]

I agree with the lack of interference with the universal built-in transducer, but I have found that the sensitivity is quite a bit less than my rear transducer. I run Lowrance X102's on both and my dash unit is clearly better than the universal sonar. I have not been able to research the exact reason, but think it is because one is a transducer for the X102 and one is "universal". Been thinking about going back to clamping one on the trolling motor again.

EJ

[Hoovey]

I have also noticed less sensitivity with the universal transducer, but not enough to go back to clamping on the factory one to the motor. I have used both and would choose the universal option.

[SteveWilson]

I've tried my Vex and a Lowrance X-125 up front with the universal sonar and I'm not impressed. No sensitivity at all, works as a bottom finder but can't see fish in the water column. I have a Vex transducer attached to the motor now and it works much better (except for the interference) but the downside is the cable getting in the way when raising and lowering the unit. I'm planing on using a switch for the X-125 transducer and then run the Vex with the universal as well as the X-125. If I had to do over again I would have gone with a different trolling motor setup

[spudhauler]

I have a universal sonar on my power drive, but have never used it. I may be coming across a used garmin 240, will this unit work, or will only certain graphs work? Do you have to buy certain cables to hook this up, if so how much do they cost?

Thanks