Need help choosing bow mount TM

[Dhark]

So I have a tracker 1542 that I'm currently decking out and need to settle on a bow mount TM. I was pretty much all set ready to get the MK PD V2 with ipilot and US2 but It appears to not come with a foot pedal, does anyone who owns one have any opinions on having to do everything with the remote? I can upgrade to the same specs in the terrova for about $200 more which has a foot pedal. Now keep in mind I've never even used a bow mount or foot pedal. I really like the I pilot features and the transducer in the unit but do I really need all that or should I just go with a basic plain Jane bow mount in the $400-600 range?

 

[2sac]

First off, the PDV2 foot pedal is garbage. The only foot pedal that is worse is the one on the original PD. I ran the PDV2 iPilot on my last boat for 4 years with the hand control. Aside from the original hand control breaking(it has been redesigned) I never had an issue. The controller is simple to use and I can run the motor without looking at the control. I have the Terrova iPilot on my new boat and I keep the foot pedal in one of the storage boxes. The Terrova pedal is 1000x nicer than the PD pedal but IMO the hand controller is more convenient to use on electric steer motors. I have also had the US2 in the PD, PDV2, and Terrova. If you're not running a side or down scan unit at the bow, it is well worth the extra money. You don't have to worry about breaking off the transducer or spending extra money on a transducer saver. If you're going to run an SI or DI unit you will need the transducer recommended for the unit. The US2 will work with the 2d sonar but not the SI/DI

 

[Dhark]

Well I'm glad you chimed in cause I do have a down imaging unit and was planning on using that up front with the TM, that sucks!!!!! Guess I'll have to reconsider if I want to spend the $$ on it still and use my old hummingbird 565 up front instead?

 

[TNtroller]

I have a Terrova w/ IP on my boat, and use both the foot pedal and remote depending on what method of fishing I am doing for the day. I sit up front a lot and use the pedal, but if I need or want to sit at the console at watch TV (HDS 8 w/ss) then I can control the boat from there via the remote. Best $$ spent imo. I have a HB 788 HD ci on my Terrova, and use the external xducer, I saw no reason to spend the $$ on the US2 option since it doesn't work with DI/SS.

I would imagine that every single movement of the TM would cause a lot of distortion in the picture quality if you could use DI or SS.

 

[Dhark]

TNtroller » 06 Jul 2013, 18:52[/url]"]I have a Terrova w/ IP on my boat, and use both the foot pedal and remote depending on what method of fishing I am doing for the day. I sit up front a lot and use the pedal, but if I need or want to sit at the console at watch TV (HDS 8 w/ss) then I can control the boat from there via the remote. Best $$ spent imo. I have a HB 788 HD ci on my Terrova, and use the external xducer, I saw no reason to spend the $$ on the US2 option since it doesn't work with DI/SS.

I would imagine that every single movement of the TM would cause a lot of distortion in the picture quality if you could use DI or SS.

Any issues wiring to the motor I read its difficult to do to the electric drive units? I really wanted to keep the DI unit up front with the TM as that's where I'll be the majority of the time while fishing. And don't really want to mount one to the transom either? Hmmmm?

 

[shawnfish]

SI and DI transducers must be mounted on the transom. any side to side movement of the transducer will affect the quality and resolution of the return/picture. that's why you get the best results with the boat going in a straight line on calm water at about 2-4 mph when the boats riding smooth and straight. if TM mounted every time you turn the motor the return would go to hell....and yes the PD foot pedals have had issues, ive never had a problem with mine(6+years) but know of some that had issues when they were less than a year old. best advice with the PD pedal is to not stand,stomp or use exsessive force when using it and after each use dip it in the lake before unplugging and stowing. this will keep the contacts clean and less likely to malfunction.

 

[Dhark]

shawnfish » 07 Jul 2013, 02:43[/url]"]SI and DI transducers must be mounted on the transom. any side to side movement of the transducer will affect the quality and resolution of the return/picture. that's why you get the best results with the boat going in a straight line on calm water at about 2-4 mph when the boats riding smooth and straight. if TM mounted every time you turn the motor the return would go to hell....and yes the PD foot pedals have had issues, ive never had a problem with mine(6+years) but know of some that had issues when they were less than a year old. best advice with the PD pedal is to not stand,stomp or use exsessive force when using it and after each use dip it in the lake before unplugging and stowing. this will keep the contacts clean and less likely to malfunction.

I love your signature! I have the same fear except my wife has no idea what I paid so she wouldn't have any idea what they're worth!!!
Well thanks for the responses looks like I'll have to mount my SI to the transom to get he best results. Unless I come up with some sort of temp/removable mount. I did stumble upon the magnetic mount from float tubes.com looks interesting but don't see many reviews.
Think I'm still gonna move up to the terrova and have the option of the foot pedal up front and can use the remote from the back if need be.

 

[shawnfish]

Dhark » Today, 12:34[/url]"]

shawnfish » 07 Jul 2013, 02:43[/url]"]SI and DI transducers must be mounted on the transom. any side to side movement of the transducer will affect the quality and resolution of the return/picture. that's why you get the best results with the boat going in a straight line on calm water at about 2-4 mph when the boats riding smooth and straight. if TM mounted every time you turn the motor the return would go to hell....and yes the PD foot pedals have had issues, ive never had a problem with mine(6+years) but know of some that had issues when they were less than a year old. best advice with the PD pedal is to not stand,stomp or use exsessive force when using it and after each use dip it in the lake before unplugging and stowing. this will keep the contacts clean and less likely to malfunction.

I love your signature! I have the same fear except my wife has no idea what I paid so she wouldn't have any idea what they're worth!!!
Well thanks for the responses looks like I'll have to mount my SI to the transom to get he best results. Unless I come up with some sort of temp/removable mount. I did stumble upon the magnetic mount from float tubes.com looks interesting but don't see many reviews.
Think I'm still gonna move up to the terrova and have the option of the foot pedal up front and can use the remote from the back if need be.

I know of 2 people that tried a temp/removable mount with very bad results. unless you can make a mount that will put the transducer in the exact same position every time you remove and put back the mount you will get bad readings from the slightest change in vertical and horizontal positioning that you had the ducer set to get the best returns. It took me 2-3 attempts before I got mine(transducer) installed just right horizontally and vertically so that my returns(picture) looked the best with the default settings so I had the best starting point before fine tuning the gain,contrast,power etc...to get it the best I could for my eyes...and the only way to get that solid mount is to mount it to the transom IMO. don't waste ur money on that magnetic mount unless you want ur sonar to only work in 2-D and your SI and DI be un usable...

 

[TNtroller]

HB xducer wires are thinner than the Low xducer wires, which is the only reason I went HB on the TM. The Terrova has a 1" wide groove or slot that runs the length of the shaft and its a common method of mounting a xducer on the Terrova by taking the top head unit off the shaft, pulling the lower unit and shaft out of the lower steering box, and gluing the xducer wire in this slot, then putting it all back together for a clean and neat install. This way the xducer wire is not flopping or hanging out and in the way while fishing or deploying/stowing the TM. The HB wire will fit in this slot and then the shaft with the xducer wire glued to it will fit back thru the steering box while the Low xducer wire will not due to it being just slightly thicker, and in turn, you cannot deploy/stow the Terrova without eventually destroying the Low xducer wire. I've had mine installed this way for 18 mos, with no issues from the TM or the HB. The wire is secure at all times and will not get caught on any thing and be ripped or torn off.

 

[2sac]

shawnfish » Yesterday, 01:43[/url]"]SI and DI transducers must be mounted on the transom..

This statement couldn't be more false

 

[2sac]

TNtroller » Yesterday, 19:45[/url]"]HB xducer wires are thinner than the Low xducer wires, which is the only reason I went HB on the TM. The Terrova has a 1" wide groove or slot that runs the length of the shaft and its a common method of mounting a xducer on the Terrova by taking the top head unit off the shaft, pulling the lower unit and shaft out of the lower steering box, and gluing the xducer wire in this slot, then putting it all back together for a clean and neat install. This way the xducer wire is not flopping or hanging out and in the way while fishing or deploying/stowing the TM. The HB wire will fit in this slot and then the shaft with the xducer wire glued to it will fit back thru the steering box while the Low xducer wire will not due to it being just slightly thicker, and in turn, you cannot deploy/stow the Terrova without eventually destroying the Low xducer wire. I've had mine installed this way for 18 mos, with no issues from the TM or the HB. The wire is secure at all times and will not get caught on any thing and be ripped or torn off.

There is a tutorial on crappie.com including pics on how to do this

 

[2sac]

HB has dealt with interference issues on si/di units. There are a couple ways of handling interference if it exists. Installing a HB supplied ferrite ring with the wiring, replacing the TM ground, and last resort of rebuilding the motor. There are HB and Lowrance forums where you can get all the info you need and more.

 

[shawnfish]

2sac » 08 Jul 2013, 10:02[/url]"]

shawnfish » Yesterday, 01:43[/url]"]SI and DI transducers must be mounted on the transom..

This statement couldn't be more false

explain to me how you get a clear picture from a SI transducer mounted on the TM head when you are steering with the trolling motor.......this I gotta hear. even with it mounted on the transom, if you drive in a big circle or make sharp turns your returns( screen display of sonar returns) breaks up very bad. how is it different with a TM mount?

one more question??? wich HB unit do you have with a TM mounted transducer?

one more thing...a TM mount will work if the only direction you use your TM to pull the boat is straight forward....

 

[2sac]

shawnfish » Today, 03:04[/url]"]

2sac » 08 Jul 2013, 10:02[/url]"]

shawnfish » Yesterday, 01:43[/url]"]SI and DI transducers must be mounted on the transom..

This statement couldn't be more false

explain to me how you get a clear picture from a SI transducer mounted on the TM head when you are steering with the trolling motor.......this I gotta hear. even with it mounted on the transom, if you drive in a big circle or make sharp turns your returns( screen display of sonar returns) breaks up very bad. how is it different with a TM mount?

one more question??? wich HB unit do you have with a TM mounted transducer?

one more thing...a TM mount will work if the only direction you use your TM to pull the boat is straight forward....

Look up the HB threads on bassboatcentral. There are a ton of guys running SI off the TM here's some video.
https://youtu.be/vT8nArMGwPA

https://youtu.be/Q6jMpWt545Q

I run a 998 on the transom and a 858 on the TM with the US2