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 Side Imaging Fish Finders  
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Post Side Imaging Fish Finders
Any of you guys run the side and down imaging fish finders? Im shopping for one to go on the new boat and been looking at the Helix 7 SI. The one that was on my old boat was an Eagle Fishmark 320 I picked up in several years back and they didn't have any of the side/down scan shit then. Ive done good with the regular old school sonar but didn't know if its worth dropping the extra dough. Seems like it would make learning new waters alot easier.


Thu Feb 09, 2017 6:49 pm
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders
On my fishing boat I have a Lowrance with structure scan (side and down) on the transom and a downscan onlt on the bow trolling motor. Mines a Gen I. I seldom use the side scan, but love the downscan along with standard sonar. I use the split screen very often especially when walleye fishing.

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Fri Feb 10, 2017 7:13 am
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders
I've several buds that run the Helix's and love 'em. Makes scouting an area tremendously easier than the old fashioned way (actually fishing it ;) ), I'm not super impressed with the ease of operation on them though, seems like a lot of pages to scroll through and adjustments to be entered. I looked at some Garmin units that I personally liked better on the shelf but dont have any "real world" experience using one of theirs yet. If you don't mind the techy kind of fiddling with a unit then they're awesome units.

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Fri Feb 10, 2017 7:19 am
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders
I have a Helix 10 connected to 80 pound I-Pilot Link.

Helix gets 8 out of 10
I-pilot gets a 2 out of 10


Fri Feb 10, 2017 7:57 am
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders
Thanks for the input guys. I checked a few units out at bass pro this morning. I can definitely say the 7" display is the bare minimum Id want to go with if I get side and down scan. Helix 7 was nice but the 7 inch Garmin looked pretty nice too for about 100 bucks cheaper. I didn't get a chance to dig into them too far to see if there was a noticeable difference. I definitely like the idea of being able to save way points too


Fri Feb 10, 2017 12:58 pm
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders

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Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:07 pm
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders
I found the helix menu to be easier to run than the Garmin....partly because the garmins buttons had no label. The GPS on the Helix seemed better too. And ya the YouTube tutorials are nice.


Sat Feb 11, 2017 11:03 am
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders
I'm running two Lowrance Elite 7s with down scan. I'm still learning to get the most out of them, they were 400 each.


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Mon Feb 13, 2017 7:13 am
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders


Ended up going with the Helix 7. Ram mount and removeable transducer bracket will make for easy removal for duck season. If the damn weather would ever turn around I could go use the SOB. I appreciate the input guys, thanks.


Sat Mar 11, 2017 7:08 pm
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders

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Wed Mar 15, 2017 10:40 pm
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders
How did you mount the transducer?


Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:02 am
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Post Re: Side Imaging Fish Finders


Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:26 am
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