Pairing up P66 Transducer

[Finzbud]

Hi Guy's
Sorry I know this has been hashed over many of time but looking thru past posts suggests I (the bad guy ) starts another thread but my heads spinning from looking! Anyhow i'm looking @ a Hook2 9xTS NAV+ with a P66 Should I possibly consider other options? I have about $1700 to play with … what would you do? I have a Hewe's 18ft Sportsman .. I know Kidney belts required … Get a better/bigger boat! Well .. this is what I got and this is what god dealt me and she's brought a couple nookies home so .. Thanks Add I primarily fish Sandheads to Hole in the Wall and the Cap area Note I also like Lake fishing in the Interior and Cariboo Anyhow Finzbud really appreciates your opinions and from my fish to yours if ok to say so of course … "Merry Christmas and to ALL our/my Fish Buddies a Happy and Prosperous New Year and MANY more years with a LOT of HOPE of Salmon in our FUTURE"!!!

 

[ericl]

Transducer selection & transducer mounting are probably the most important factors. P66 is popular; it has a very wide angle. I'd get a combo sounder/chartplotter. I have been happy with Garmin I like their charts for our areas. A CHIRP capable unit would be nice in case you decide to add a CHIRP transducer in the future. I have heard negative on Lowrance & Hummingbird.

 

[RageWelding]

Just use the transducer that comes with it imo

 

[cuttlefish]

Just use the transducer that comes with it imo

That’s what I ended up doing with the Hook2 I purchased last year. The Old P66 is still hanging off the transom. Here’s a link to Airmar’s cross reference guide; http://www.airmar.com/xref.html. Just type in P66 in the search box.

 

[Rayvon]

Buy A Garmin Echomap 94SV,it's in your price range and comes with a down and side scan transducer for your fresh water trips and is sonar chart making. I use mine in salt water only and it works great,doesn't lose bottom at high speed,and lots of bottom definition for halibut fishing.I bought the Vision Hd card for it.

 

[MadJigga]

Buy A Garmin Echomap 94SV,it's in your price range and comes with a down and side scan transducer for your fresh water trips and is sonar chart making. I use mine in salt water only and it works great,doesn't lose bottom at high speed,and lots of bottom definition for halibut fishing.I bought the Vision Hd card for it.

On sale at radio world for $1099 until dec 31st

 

[Rayvon]

On sale at radio world for $1099 until dec 31st

That's a deal,the "vision" chart will add about another $250 but worth it.I've alway's had Lowrance or Simrad on my previous boats (many) but I'm really happy with this Garmin,it'll do everything your looking for and more.Make sure you buy the "Chirp" model.

 

[MadJigga]

Buy A Garmin Echomap 94SV,it's in your price range and comes with a down and side scan transducer for your fresh water trips and is sonar chart making. I use mine in salt water only and it works great,doesn't lose bottom at high speed,and lots of bottom definition for halibut fishing.I bought the Vision Hd card for it.

Do you run another transducer for the salt?

 

[Finzbud]

Thanks guy's for your input! I'm currently using a Garmin Striker5 and for the buck and simplicity it has done me well … Lake wise Salts been a hit and miss though I'm hearing a lot more praise for the Garmin products lately and less for the Lowrance/Hummingbird? I have not used a Lowrance but my buddies are running there line and swear by them … hence getting ribbed with a Garmin Maybe I oughta rethink things and push there buttons back by going with Garmin again From an appearance and reviews read the 94sv gets very good reports as you also stated … sooooooo my issues now get a little more complicated Which way to happiness? Regardless thank you for your inputs … it helps!!!
Finz ….

 

[Rayvon]

Do you run another transducer for the salt?

No,the transducer that came with it works great.I played with the side-down scan when I installed it, but never use it anymore.It would be good on a lake , but I don't think it helps much in the salt.Being a chirp transducer though ,it works at least as good or better than the P66 that I had on my Lowrance-Simrad units. I also find the Garmin easier to to use, and the upgraded card adds a lot more bottom definition and other features.

 

[Finzbud]

Well it's been decided ….. as I was happy with my Striker i'm stickin with Garmin! Thanks guy's for your input … you rock!!! $1280 all in delivered tomorrow from Radioworld 95sv Plus w/G3 That is a deal I couldn't pass on .... Know Ravyon "YOU" set the hook for me on this one Just gotta get er in the boat now!

Cheers from,
Finz

 

[Rayvon]

Good buy,you can always add the G2 Vision HD card later.