The regular size ball on the 997 is fine. I havent had any issues at all regarding the ram mount. I personally dont like the internal transducer on the front…I much prefer an integrated transducer in the troller. Whether it be a MG or MK…just my 2 cents on that one. I think the rest of your questions were answered above…let us know if we missed something. Judd Lasiter
I remember reading a topic many months ago about how to fine tuning your electronics. Someone posted a link for an instructional video on how to set up your Lowrance electronics. After going through the first 40 pages and trying multiple searches, I figured it would be easier to ask. Anyone know the link to this video or one like it?
I have a HDS 8 in the console and HDS 7 at the bow my P-II. The internal antenna is in the face of the unit and works perfectly. Ive found no need to add a receiver. However I wasnt aware that BCB mounted the TM tranducers in the hull and mine came that way. I didnt like it and added one myself to the TM. Personally if you like dropshotting I dont think youll a Bow unit with the transducer in the back.If you got a few extar bucks get the Sonic hub…Its the bomb. I have Sirius Radio and also get weather radar!Gary
Thanks for the info. I wonder if I could just have the front transducer mounted on the trolling motor instead of in the hull. I had a 520 Lowrance on the bow of my last boat and could see my dropshot rig with the transducer mounted on the trolling motor.
I have a Gen 2 hds 8 on the bow and a gen 2 hds 10 on the console and a LSS unit hooked up 2 each front and back. I run the structure scan down image on the front about all the time with a LSS 1 transducer on the trolling motor. The big units are great for being able to split the screen and still be able to see what you want. I fish several big offshore stump fields and it is a great benefit to my confidence to be able to see the mapping and to have the stump show up on down image, see a fish on it and catch it. If you like to fish offshore the better your electronics and the more able you are to understand what you are seeing the bigger the benefit. If Im fishing shallow Ill turn them off so as not to spook the fish, I could easily get by with a small screen then. I think it all depends on how you like to fish, the deeper or more intricate the need for mapping, the bigger Id go.
Thanks for the replies. The information your giving me is greatly appreciated. If you had to do it right now, would you go into Hummingbird, or stick with the gen2 Lowrance Units. I have heard that the Hummingbird Units are easier to use than the Lowrance ones, and some people have had issues with the warranty on the Lowrance. Any thoughts?
I have run an hbird SI unit in the past, I currently have a Hbird 788 on the console for a backup to the Lowrances but have never needed it. My personal opinion is that down image and 2d sonar are better on Lowrance as is the GPS speed and update cycle. hbirds Side Image is better than Lowrance, but not by very much. The lowrance screen used to be much easier to see in bright light, but I heard Hbird had improved on this. Im happy with either company, but the biggest reason I run the lowrance is I think the gps updates quicker as the boat moves and makes it easier for me to find offshore spots.
