Help Choosing an Electronics Strategy

[NoZero]

I have a Solix 10 "G1" at the console and an 898c SI at the bow. I had thought that Solix & humminbird would be the route I would take, but it seems like Humminbird is loosing their way a bit. I thought I would get whatever "live view" they came out with... turns out it is the mega 360 - that won't connect to anything I have. - so I'm re-evaluating sticking with birds.

Here's the mission: I don't have time to make trips solely to scout, troll, find, and mark structure. The body of water I'm on also has enough pressure that I won't be trolling by and then circling back around to fish.... These fish know exactly what's going on. My time on the water is severely limited, so I want an electronics package that lets me pull up on a spot and know what is where I am casting. - I want to see structure and clearly see fish - and where they are.


I could just go the standard 360 route - it will work with my 898. - and would be the cheapest thing to do. but...


Is Fish reveal any good at all? I just cannot get my hummingbird's dialed in where I reliably know what is swimming around down there.


That also begs the question whether Garmin and Panoptix would help me pull up to a site and really know what is out front and to the sides.

- which brings me back to 360... but I am not spending $3600 on a mega 360 setup at the bow.

thoughts? - I really just want to see structure and know where the fish are (hahaha... don't we all)- I don't feel like I have that and am re-evaluating all of it now.

[Skunked again]

On this site, scroll down to Garmin sonar and gps, and also image interpretation. Lots of helpful folks, and screenshots.
Get on YouTube, look up Benjamin Nowack, (sp?). He has several videos on panoptix. He also has videos on how to set it up.
You might also want to wait, until iCast, and see what the various companies release.

[TohoRookie]

I feel your pain. They all have their strengths and it's tough to commit. It's become paralysis by analysis for me.

One question I can answer for you. Yes, FishReveal is very good. It's probably why I'll never fully dump Lowrance. I generally have my map and that up. Nothing else. No need for Sonar due to FishReveal (and it saves screen space) and Side imaging is less helpful in Florida, it's not like we have roadbeds, sunken boats, timber, etc. I look for fish and grass. Fish Reveal is awesome for that. Plus, I have a Gen3, and the Side Imaging is not very good. And, not sure if it's the chicken or the egg, but I'm not very good at using it. Fish Reveal is idiot proof.

The technology is getting exponentially better. Makes it very had to commit. I have a feeling that in a year or two, this thing is gonna change. Some form of Livescope + Imaging or something is the next big leap. I don't think something like that is far off. Instead of images, it will all be live, but highlight structure some kind of way. Or, FishReveal on SideImaging....that would put Lowrance on another level. Some meshing of current technologies that are very helpful on their own, but would much better if someone is smart enough to combine them. The competition is making each company better. Each has clear advantages. Raymarine has awesome imaging too, but no one talks about them. Actually, their Element is super affordable, and its imaging is on par with Bird. I actually like their color palette best too. One of two things is gonna happen. Either a company is going to find a way to give all the strengths offered by different competitors at the moment, or most bass boats will have two or three brands of electronics on them. Transducers are the deal. The units are all capable. It's further refining of things like Mega +, Livescope, FishReveal, 3D technology, etc. needs to happen in the transducer (I think).

I'll probably hold off until Icast '20, to see what's in the works.

[Finlander]

I am also a Floridian and have not relied upon electronics for much more than mapping. That being said, I get to travel the country quit a bit and feel the need to adopt something because you need good electronics to dissect deep water structure. My buddy dove in deep for the Pan optics live scope last fall and it truly is the best thing going today. Live scope is the perfect bow mounted weapon system. I am also a Bird fan and hoping they Mega image their 360, its currently not. This is a shallow water tool we could use in Florida’s shallow stumpy lakes, just looking for a crisper image. Again, same mission can be accomplished with the Garmin. Lowrance rushed their live view and its priced accordingly. If you want something today...Garmin Live scope wins and their lake mapping is not bad either. I could go all Garmin and be set for several years.