Is it worth $600 dollars more for SI on the bow?

[trampsinger]

Hey fellas,

I'm looking to switch to Helix 10's. Is it worth it to spend $600 more for the SI unit for the trolling motor?
I know this is an opinion based question but i'd like to hear some opinions.
Thanks

Mike

[Wayne P.]

No opinion, just fact. I have been using SI at the bow with a SI transducer on the trolling motor for over 10 years. Before 360, that was my primary sonar technology. When I am at the bow fishing I want to see "over there" and "down there". Even with 360, I still use SI at the bow when searching while at the bow.
I have been on Percy Priest a few times and it works great there.

Waters where fishing for deep suspended fish is the primary pattern, it is not a good tool, but none of the waters I fish are that type.

[Kenfuel]

Another vote for yes, I'd feel lost without si on the bow.

[OK_BassBum]

Go for the SI, I got a new 21FX LE. It has a 10 Solix on the bow and a 12 at the helm.
It came with an Ultrex and the US2 transducer. After Wayne P. told me how to turn it on,
I realized I needed something else. I got a XTM 14 HW MSI T and installed it this last weekend.
It shows great pictures on SI even in 2ft of water. Like somebody here told me, if your unit can
handle the SI - DI - 2D buy it. I wanted the DI mainly for drop shotting. But having the SI ability
is great! If you can afford it, buy it.

[Seguin Fisher]

I have SI on the front with the transducer mounted on the TM, and I’ve caught a ton of fish that I’d never of seen without it. Lots of times I’ll see a small school off to the side a cast length or so away, and grab a drop shot or tube and toss it over and it’s game on. For me, it’s definitely worth the money.

[Menacer]

Yea. Especially on trolling motor only lakes.

[Capw]

No. Put Your money towards a 360 compatible unit. You’ll be running over your targets before you see them. You can scan out ahead of your path. 360 does SI also.

[MCIPinkie]

Only you can decide that. I would never be without SI on the front. If you can afford it, easy decision. If money is tight, then tougher.

You can always spend $1,500 more, or so, and get 360.

Personally, if money was tight, I would go with a smaller unit to get SI. I had a 7 Helix SI on a small boat of mine. It was very good. The 10's are better, but the 7 SI to me would be more useful than a 10 without it.

[Chris1978]

For what ever my 2 cents are worth.... I’ve never found SI on my TM got used. Even before 360 came out I just seem to “run them over” before seeing them. 360 is on 100% of the time TM is in the water and very useful tool. If it didn’t mean buying new head units I’d get the M360 but since I have to buy a new head unit I’m just keeping my current 360 setup and buying a garmin head unit and LiveScope to do comparison.

[BigDozer66]

I think they are but only you can decide.

I had a Lowrance Elite 5Ti Total Scan on my kayak and sold my yak so now I need to sell it.

[bigfoot17]

Have it on the front of my boat and like it a lot. If you have a lot of trolling motor only lakes like was mentioned in a previous post, its really nice to have.

[Foghorn01]

What model number would you buy for a helix 12SI plus g3n with the trolling motor transducer for si

[Wayne P.]

What model number would you buy for a helix 12SI plus g3n with the trolling motor transducer for si

Model number for what?

[Foghorn01]

Is there a helix 12 model that comes with a trolling motor transducer for si, or do you just use a transom mount transducer with an adapter bracket

[Bob B]

All the SI models come standard with a transom mount transducer. You would need to use an adaptor to mount it on the trolling motor. I'm not sure if Humminbird still does it, but the used to do an exchange.

The other option would be to buy a CHO model unit and get a trollling motor with the MSI tranducer built in.

[Wayne P.]

Is there a helix 12 model that comes with a trolling motor transducer for si, or do you just use a transom mount transducer with an adapter bracket

The Humminbird trolling motor adapter for the MEGA SI+ transducer is the AD MTM HW MSI. If you exchange for the trolling motor transducer model, you get the same transducer with that mount, so just save time and get the mount.

[Foghorn01]

Thanks

[tweakjr]

Consider something else, if you have SI at the console primarily, a second SI up front would be be a running spare whether you use the SI up front or not.
I've been 2 days into a full week trip when one side of my SI went out. Having another unit to swap out to continue fishing within full sonar capability is convenient.
Also helps for troubleshooting when the need arises.

[sk2000]

I started out wit 2 Helix 8 Mega SI+ G3N's, one at the bow and the other at the console. When I installed the Ultrex with MDI Transducer I went into setting and used the transom transducer for my side imaging at the bow. I've since went to the Helix 10 Mega SI+ G3N at the console and a Helix 10 Mega DI+ G3N at the bow. I ordered the Mega 360 for the side imaging for bow back in January and still haven't received it yet, but hopeful it wont be much longer. I know I could have saved some money if I had a better plan of what my final setup was going to be. I put the trolling motor on 6 months after I purchase the helix 8's, so I could have just got a CHO unit at the bow. Just something to think about what you want as your setup in the end and to get the right units that will be compatible with the current and newer accessories to come in the future. Good luck and Tight Lines.

[LittleGazoo]

SI on TM is +1.
RFI battle you'll probably fight is -25.