HDS Gen 3 Rigging Question - help please

[okazaco]

After agonizing more than a year, I finally made the leap and upgraded from LCX units to a Gen 3 3D system and Point-1 antenna. I have a couple of questions for the experts:

Console - HDS 9, NMEA/Ethernet connected to Structure Scan 3D, LSS 2 flush mounted to the transom step (no jack plate), Pod transducer mounted in the bilge. Am i good moving forward with the system as described and the existing Pod transducer or is there a good reason to mount a new 83/200 transducer in the bilge?

Bow - HDS 7, NMEA/Ethernet connected to Structure Scan 3D, Pod transducer with temp mounted on the trolling motor. What is the ideal transducer for the bow? If i stick with the 83/200 on the trolling motor, will the downscan image be coming off of the LSS 2 on the transom? I'm thinking i want downscan tied to the trolling motor similar to the chirp /broadband signal and don't care as much about side scan from the bow. I'm in this deep so buying one more transducer isn't ideal but also isn't going to break the bank if it means i'm going to get an optimal system.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[Edd]

Since you don't care about StructureScan at the bow I would install the 83/200-455/800 HDI XDCR on the TM. This will give you CHIRP, Traditional, and DownImaging directly below the TM.

If you have the StructureScan 3D module I would certainly mount the 3D XDCR so you can take advantage of 3D.

Your POD XDCR inside the bilge will work just fine for Traditional sonar but, I have heard cases of xdcr failure caused by heat if the same installation is used in CHIRP mode. I don't have this 'shoot-thru' setup so I can only tell you what I have read. Maybe Ken will chime in with his expertise in this area.

[okazaco]

Edd - I'm going to add the 83/200/455/800 transducer. Thanks for weighing in so quickly!

KEN - thoughts on the bilge transducer for CHIRP? POD vs New bilge skimmer vs transom mount skimmer?

[Ken Sauret]

If I'm reading your original post correctly, you are using the puck transducer (blue connector) that you had been using with your older LCX units, right?

If this is the case you can use the older transducers for your broadband/chirp ducer but the newer transducers are better quality than the older ducers. Technology has improved our transducers and the receivers inside the transducers. For the best performance, I would replace the older blue connector ducer with the new one that came with your unit. You will have better performance and longevity.

Nice new set up! You are going to love the new 3D.

I put some new videos on my web site. You can go there and learn more;

http://kensbassfishing.weebly.com/

Click on the "Videos" page.

[okazaco]

Correct. Thanks Ken. I'm having a couple of the skins replaced on my seats and will mount the new transducer when i pull the seats later this summer. i had to have the console plate fabricated so i could flush mount the HDS 9 and should have it all put together by tonight and ready to field test Sunday. I'm excited to see some of my favorite structure at Camanche on the meters after seeing them high and dry over the past year.

[okazaco]

There's definitely going to be a learning curve here, particularly with the structure scan color palates and chart viewing options on bright sunny days. I'm surprised how hot the screen got to the touch while on the water on Sunday - air temp topped out in the low 80's while on the water. I'm very impressed with the clarity of the broadband sonar display - big upgrade from the LCX units and the Gen 1's on our skiff.

QUESTION - for some reason neither unit is recognizing the Point-1 antenna when i go in to settings. Is there a simple way to verify that i'm getting power/connectivity to the backbone without having to deconstruct it and un-bundle all of the cables? I can definitely see that the NEMA cable is attached to both head units and the antenna.