Ultrex or Electronics 1st? Need some help please
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2020 5:08 am
Hey there fishing family!,
So I recently bought a 2005 Triton TR21x, 11 years after selling my Skeeter when I reenlisted in the US Army back in 2009. Now at a much higher rank and a little more freedom, I decided it was time to get back into tournament bass fishing.
My boats current set up:
Fortrex 80lbs 24v
Lowrance Elite 5 on the bow
Lowrance Hook 7 in the console
I am trying to figure out which direction is the best way to go (open to all options / opinions) first. I would like to swap out the Fortrex for an Ultrex ASAP but here in lies the problem, I'd like to have a Humminbird MDI or MSI unit as well and can't afford both at the same time. While there is an Ultrex that comes pre-wired with the HB transducer, I wont be able to use my Lowrance Elite 5 that is currently in place. I believe that unit uses Universal Sonar 2 that is built in to the Fortrex. I "could" opt for the Ultrex with the US2 transducer but then I'd be missing out when I eventually get a Helix or Solix unit down the road (unless I wired a new MDI/MSI transducer externally). Alternatively, if I go with new electronics first I'd be missing out on the whole reason I need an Ultrex in the first place and that is boat control in the wind. Basically I guess it boils down to I can't get the TM w/ the features I want and be able to use my old unit (unless there is something I'm not tracking) can I? Option 2: (least favorite option) wait until I can afford both and switch them at the same time. Side note, I'd like to future proof my upgrade so eventually I can replace my console unit with another HB that talks to the bow unit.
Hope that wasn't too long or confusing. Thoughts, comments, ideas? In a perfect world I'd convert to 36v system, 112lbs Ultrex with MSI, 2 Solix 15's on the bow and a Solix 15 in the console but let's be real, I make Army money LOL!
Thanks for the help guys! Hope to hear some of your ideas.
Jason
So I recently bought a 2005 Triton TR21x, 11 years after selling my Skeeter when I reenlisted in the US Army back in 2009. Now at a much higher rank and a little more freedom, I decided it was time to get back into tournament bass fishing.
My boats current set up:
Fortrex 80lbs 24v
Lowrance Elite 5 on the bow
Lowrance Hook 7 in the console
I am trying to figure out which direction is the best way to go (open to all options / opinions) first. I would like to swap out the Fortrex for an Ultrex ASAP but here in lies the problem, I'd like to have a Humminbird MDI or MSI unit as well and can't afford both at the same time. While there is an Ultrex that comes pre-wired with the HB transducer, I wont be able to use my Lowrance Elite 5 that is currently in place. I believe that unit uses Universal Sonar 2 that is built in to the Fortrex. I "could" opt for the Ultrex with the US2 transducer but then I'd be missing out when I eventually get a Helix or Solix unit down the road (unless I wired a new MDI/MSI transducer externally). Alternatively, if I go with new electronics first I'd be missing out on the whole reason I need an Ultrex in the first place and that is boat control in the wind. Basically I guess it boils down to I can't get the TM w/ the features I want and be able to use my old unit (unless there is something I'm not tracking) can I? Option 2: (least favorite option) wait until I can afford both and switch them at the same time. Side note, I'd like to future proof my upgrade so eventually I can replace my console unit with another HB that talks to the bow unit.
Hope that wasn't too long or confusing. Thoughts, comments, ideas? In a perfect world I'd convert to 36v system, 112lbs Ultrex with MSI, 2 Solix 15's on the bow and a Solix 15 in the console but let's be real, I make Army money LOL!
Thanks for the help guys! Hope to hear some of your ideas.
Jason