Looking at a Chirp 94sv with the CV51 transducer for $600, new. I know the CV is inferior to the GT but I’m willing to try it and buy a GT52HW if I’m disappointed with the CV51. Most of the fishing I do is trolling for salmon in the Columbia River in water 20-40’ deep. I think the coastal charts will work fine, those charts usually have pretty good coverage of the Columbia and I’ll make my own maps with QuickDraw for the areas I fish anyway. I have no need for radar or touch screen.
I’d really like to see fish using the side view. A lot of times I fish big open areas where the fish don’t really travel in lanes, it’d be nice to know if there is a pod of fish 100’ off the side of the boat. Average fish size is 10-12lbs, so hoping that will make them show up on the side view better.
My boat is a 22’ aluminum with 14 deg. dead rise, 240 sport jet and a 8hp trolling motor. I’ll try it with one side scan transducer but have a feeling I’m going to need a second one to get a clear picture of both sides.
Am I missing anything? Does this seem like a good application?
Thanks!