Need your input replacing fish finders

[JBASS]

I have 1996 electronics on my replacement boat...(I did not buy new electronics when Champion replaced my boat in 2000)
So I need to by new....So far I think I have settled in for a HB  858 si di up front and a 898 si di on the back..

So remember I am the guy @ 55 that has to ask for computer help at work and gets help programing smart TVs..

My old way point tournament fishing days was just a finding a big place on a big body of water say on Erie or on the bay using a stand alone GPS until that had a path to way point ...NO MAP.....I did fish a GL open using Zonas old boat with someone and it was important to stay on that little 10' by 10' spot but I was a not running the boat nor electronics..This was 4 or 5 years ago.

Also I see a few units with built in antennas(Would be nice not mounting a antenna) but most without and I think I want to add 360° if I go with a bird...It would be nice to see weed beds or ? in any direction if that is how it works.
Also of coarse I have built in transducers that it looks are obsolete so I will have to add those...I am told that a better line of site is better for these new units because how they read?
Most likely I will add a transducer to my trolling motor for the front and a transom Mount for the back I guess.

Any input will help ....The less spent the better but as said a $2000 is my limit..

Any input on my new electronic fish finder venture would help a bunch...Thanks Jay

[JBASS]

TTT

[MSURoss]

I have a hummingbird 858 and 998 and got them both for under your price range pm me.

[JBASS]

I have a hummingbird 858 and 998 and got them both for under your price range pm me.

Thanks will do

[motocross269]

The newer HBs will have a totally different Tranducer setup...You may also want to consider buying a Shoot thru hull transducer and a Y cable so you can read the bottom at speeds....To read Side imaging you will have to mount the Transducer that comes with the unit on the your Transom, then you run a second transducer in the hull to a Y cable for 2D sonar and High speed depth readings...It is easy..Pretty much plug and play..

As far as the GPS puck that really isn't a big deal and is the most accurate way to go...IMHO..With the new units you will get the latest and greatest in pucks..

To link the units you will just need to buy an ethernet cable...You don't need "interlink" like on past models...and that is also plug and play...

If you can wait through the winter some of the local pros have HB classes at a few shows. Prices also seem to come down as manufacturers bring out new equipment in the spring...

[JBASS]

The newer HBs will have a totally different Tranducer setup...You may also want to consider buying a Shoot thru hull transducer and a Y cable so you can read the bottom at speeds....To read Side imaging you will have to mount the Transducer that comes with the unit on the your Transom, then you run a second transducer in the hull to a Y cable for 2D sonar and High speed depth readings...It is easy..Pretty much plug and play..

As far as the GPS puck that really isn't a big deal and is the most accurate way to go...IMHO..With the new units you will get the latest and greatest in pucks..

To link the units you will just need to buy an ethernet cable...You don't need "interlink" like on past models...and that is also plug and play...

If you can wait through the winter some of the local pros have HB classes at a few shows. Prices also seem to come down as manufacturers bring out new equipment in the spring...

Thanks for the reply...
I would rather shoot thru the hull but I was told I would loose some of the signal and better to trolling motor and transsome mount?
(My longer term goal will be 360° also)
I have had the transducers in my last few boats mounted from the factory  so if I was to do that I would need to know how that is done.
Is high speed on the pad you are talking about?
Is the "Y" cable so you use less transducers?
Had a GPS puck on my last boat also just did not want to run the wire and drill more holes if I did not have to...Are any wireless also?

Sorry all I am so dern clueless but there is so much new stuff and @ 55 I love cool electronics as long as they are simple to use and I do not have to learn or remember too much stuff..
Yes I can wait also for a better price..

I remember going from a flasher to LC and the only thing I did was turn off and turn on...My GPS stuff I use to use was also pretty simple...I better stop..
Thanks motocross269

[motocross269]

The Y cable splits the Transducer cable for your Console mounted electronics...You are sending signals from 2 transducers to your HB...The Skimmer Transducer gives you side imaging and the Shoot thru transducer gives you 2d imaging....
The reason you run the Y cable is because the Skimmer Transducer on the Transom will only read to about 10mph....So you read from the Shoot Thru Transducer so you can get readings while on pad..

I hate to link to other websites but at bassboatcentral.com Doug Vahrenburg has some great videos and snapshots that can help you through the process...He is the Man as far as I am concerned...

You can also do some searching on Youtube...He has the same How to videos there...

I am just learning HB myself so I am far from a subject matter expert...I have spent alot of money and made alot of mistakes trying to figure these boxes out..

[MSURoss]

I agree Doug is the man 

[djkimmel]

You can do it JBASS!

Check out videos from YouTube Doug Vahrenberg at: http://www.greatlakesbass.com/vid/list.php?q=Doug+Vahrenberg&filter=on

PS: The Humminbird 360 is a pretty substantial sized extra transducer unit for the back you should be able to use with the 898 and I see they now have a bow trolling motor mount version available but I don't think it works with the 858. I would imagine it could be run from the dash 898 but you'd have to look back while using it.