Side Scan Sonar

[Samnjoe]

Looking for thoughts or input on side scan sonar for my flyfishing boat.
Must be portable / removable for a cartopper.
What make and model?
Anyone with previous experience.

 

[islandboy]

I upgraded today from a PMax 4 to a Helix7 chirp mega SI G4 at Cabelas in Nanaimo. They're on sale at a better price than the website.
No experience yet, but the kayak forums like them.

 

[Samnjoe]

I upgraded today from a PMax 4 to a Helix7 chirp mega SI G4 at Cabelas in Nanaimo. They're on sale at a better price than the website.
No experience yet, but the kayak forums like them.

That Helix 7 looks like it would be suitable for my 12 foot boat. I'll need to look at a few reviews.

 

[1marko]

I have the helix 9si works great

 

[Samnjoe]

I have the helix 9si works great

How useful is the side scan?

 

[ClintR]

How useful is the side scan?

I’ve got sidescan in my boat and it’s nice for finding fish close to shore. Mostly use it in the lake. Bit of a learning curve figuring out what your looking at but once your on to it, its pretty good. Not an absolute must have though.

 

[Samnjoe]

I’ve got sidescan in my boat and it’s nice for finding fish close to shore. Mostly use it in the lake. Bit of a learning curve figuring out what your looking at but once your on to it, its pretty good. Not an absolute must have though.

Using this for flyfishing bows. Small lakes.
What unit do you have?

 

[ClintR]

Using this for flyfishing bows. Small lakes.
What unit do you have?

Mines not portable. I’m using a lowrance hds10 linked to an hds 5. Mabel lake so I’d call it a middling size lake. Going out next weekend and I’ll take a couple pics of the side scan image and post them up. If I had to guess I’d bet on it being awesome in a small lake.

 

[ClintR]

Using this for flyfishing bows. Small lakes.
What unit do you have?

Swiped this pic off the net but it’s a good representation of what I see if I’m in less than about 80 feet of water and about 120’ from the shore. Any further than that it’s not quite as detailed but I don’t fool around with my settings. You’re able to switch between looking left, right or straight down. No point looking left if you’re traveling with the shore to your right but I think fishing in a river situation, being able to see both banks would be golden.

 

[1marko]

One point I've noticed is if u are stationary u can see fish as they swim by

 

[islandboy]

One point I've noticed is if u are stationary u can see fish as they swim by

Are you able to determine direction?

 

[1marko]

Are you able to determine direction?

No.

 

[Samnjoe]

Still trying to figure out which unit to get. Don't need a plotter just the ability to see fish out in front of me in 40 feet of water or less. And I don't want to break the bank.
More input please

 

[tubber]

I got one of these from Bass pro with a gt54 transducer. The gt56 model is better. I plan to get one of those and another base and power cord for my ocean boat and move the head unit back and forth.
I haven't used it yet so can't help there

https://www.basspro.ca/p/garmin-echomap-uhd2-95sv-chartplotter

Go see this guy in Kamloops.
Best FFS livescope setup with all the parts will be close to 5k.

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We are super stoked to be the BC Interior’s newest @garminmarine Dealer! From the very popular Striker 4 right up to the powerhouse technology in Livescope systems🙌🏻 Thinking about upgrading your...

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[Samnjoe]

I got one of these from Bass pro with a gt54 transducer. The gt56 model is better. I plan to get one of those and another base and power cord for my ocean boat and move the head unit back and forth.
I haven't used it yet so can't help there

https://www.basspro.ca/p/garmin-echomap-uhd2-95sv-chartplotter

Go see this guy in Kamloops.
Best FFS livescope setup with all the parts will be close to 5k.

22 reactions · 4 comments | We are super stoked to be the BC Interior’s newest @garminmarine Dealer! From the very popular Striker 4 right up to the powerhouse technology in Livescope systems🙌🏻 Thinking about upgrading your electronics for this seaso

We are super stoked to be the BC Interior’s newest @garminmarine Dealer! From the very popular Striker 4 right up to the powerhouse technology in Livescope systems🙌🏻 Thinking about upgrading your...

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Way too much money. Just need basic side scan. I'm in that shop all the time.

 

[Aquaholic]

I got one of these from Bass pro with a gt54 transducer. The gt56 model is better. I plan to get one of those and another base and power cord for my ocean boat and move the head unit back and forth.
I haven't used it yet so can't help there

https://www.basspro.ca/p/garmin-echomap-uhd2-95sv-chartplotter

Go see this guy in Kamloops.
Best FFS livescope setup with all the parts will be close to 5k.

22 reactions · 4 comments | We are super stoked to be the BC Interior’s newest @garminmarine Dealer! From the very popular Striker 4 right up to the powerhouse technology in Livescope systems🙌🏻 Thinking about upgrading your electronics for this seaso

We are super stoked to be the BC Interior’s newest @garminmarine Dealer! From the very popular Striker 4 right up to the powerhouse technology in Livescope systems🙌🏻 Thinking about upgrading your...

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GT56 is better for fresh water shallow lakes, mud puddles, there’s a GT54 vs 56 video to show how much improvement. Salt water folks wont need the difference, in my opinion.

OP should try to buy the Garmin Echomap UHD clear vu and side vu with the GT56 bundled vs buying it after. Ask for the correct model that already has it. In nine inch its either the 93, 94, or 95. Or 7” version, accordingly.