Fishfinders - DI vs SI

[boombap]

I think you made a mistake.. you purchased a DI only unit.

[siwash]

I'll double check box but am pretty sure it's SI

[siwash]

Right one 

[limeyangler]

On 4/20/2025 at 4:03 AM, siwash said:

I ended up buying the Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4 at Cabelas in Barries yesterday.  Will be setting it up over the next week on the boat. And now to decided on where to set it up - bow or console. I currently have. a Helix 5 up at the bow. I have been fishing mostly at the bow with the boat I bought last year. My Terrova is a bit older so doesn't have i-Link. I am most likely going to set this up a the bow and put the 5 at the console. Looking forward to exploring the world of Side Imaging!

 

Thank you to you all - as usual, always helpful and generous with your input and expertise! I am sure I will have some questions along the way!

I personally would have it at the console for side imaging use as you have to be moving to use SI, sure the trolling motor could move you fast enough, but I would not think standing on the bow is the easiest way to use it.

Does your Terrova have the built in transducer?

Edited April 21 by limeyangler

[siwash]

7 hours ago, limeyangler said:

I personally would have it at the console for side imaging use as you have to be moving to use SI, sure the trolling motor could move you fast enough, but I would not think standing on the bow is the easiest way to use it.

Does your Terrova have the built in transducer?

Yeah it has the built in transducer.  But it's an older terrova and the transducer doesn't read DI/SI.  Hoping to link them up 

thanks

[AKRISONER]

my personal take? Ive never used the side imaging on my trolling motor in my life.

but...ive got one screen at my console and two where im fishing on the front deck.

Truthfully, whats most important of all? Having a very readable map while you attempt to navigate is more important than anything.

Fishing new water all of the the time in tournaments and driving boats quick, having a big map that I can augmented reality my boat into GPS Map space...right in front of my face is a must have.

Edited April 22 by AKRISONER

[siwash]

Well said, Akrisoner!

[siwash]

Now to buy a mount - The Ram mounts are pricey.  I am seeing generic ones on amazon, marketplace and cabelas.. I am going to buy two as my other finder is mounted to  the basic mount that comes with.

What do you guys have on your boats in terms of mounts? 

[AdamS]

Put it on the console. Its a bigger screen so use it to find the structure then use the smaller one to stay around it and locate the fish. 

I have si both on the console and bow but if I had 1 choice it would be at the console. Most of the time, you find the structure driving and then know roughly where it is when your going to fish at the bow. 

[limeyangler]

12 minutes ago, siwash said:

Now to buy a mount - The Ram mounts are pricey.  I am seeing generic ones on amazon, marketplace and cabelas.. I am going to buy two as my other finder is mounted to  the basic mount that comes with.

What do you guys have on your boats in terms of mounts? 

I have Ram mounts, the ball joint type. I have to say though that they are crap if driving through rough water for the bigger screens, no matter how tight they move around. So for now I just take it easy when it’s choppy. There are some different mounts that effectively’lock’ your chosen position, but they seem ridiculously expensive. It’s hard to gauge online whether the mount will fit where I need it, and none of the ma & pa fishing shops here in the middle of nowhere stock that sort of thing.

I’d be interested to see some of the suggestions and experiences others might post.

 

[chessy]

21 minutes ago, siwash said:

Now to buy a mount - The Ram mounts are pricey.  I am seeing generic ones on amazon, marketplace and cabelas.. I am going to buy two as my other finder is mounted to  the basic mount that comes with.

What do you guys have on your boats in terms of mounts? 

don't buy a ram mount.. I have one mind you my screen is 12 inches and you hit a wav and it moves screen ... my son has hands of steel and he tightens it and it still moves we are going to try to put gorilla tape .. 

 

[AdamS]

Im using bass boat technologies mounts. They're not cheap but they've been on the boat for a few years and they have been solid. I agree about the ball ram mounts. I had them and know someone who has them. They have larger screens and they move around when its choppy. If the stock mounts work for you they are usually pretty solid if you can get at least 4 points of contact with the boat. 

[siwash]

This one gets good reviews and won't break the bank...

 

Scotty mount

 

 

[AKRISONER]

17 minutes ago, siwash said:

This one gets good reviews and won't break the bank...

 

Scotty mount

 

 

i dont think you will have issues with that 7 moving on a larger ball mount. For a 9+ inch screen it becomes an issue for sure. I ran a 7 on a ram mount for a few years and it wasnt too bad those screens arent very heavy.

I was running a 10 on the biggest ram mount i possibly could and unfortunately it didnt work.

[CrowMan]

2 hours ago, chessy said:

don't buy a ram mount.. I have one mind you my screen is 12 inches and you hit a wav and it moves screen ... my son has hands of steel and he tightens it and it still moves we are going to try to put gorilla tape .. 

 

I find that "roughing" up the ball and socket on the Ram mounts with 80 grit sandpaper helps keep them in place.

[chessy]

27 minutes ago, CrowMan said:

I find that "roughing" up the ball and socket on the Ram mounts with 80 grit sandpaper helps keep them in place.

I might try that.. I was going to try two sided tape... if not im deep sixing the thing