First few words of original post.
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Originally Posted by moose tracks
I am new to boating........
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Second reply / post in thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by moose tracks
Do I need the sonar feature if I am not going to be using it for fishing? Is the transducer easy to mount?
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Well you really don't need it to just navigate, if you are always going to be in water that you know 100% for sure is deep enough all the time. Will you always know that for sure? If your new to boating and Lake Winnipesaukee get a unit that does both. It will help you master the lake faster and safer than without and it won't really cost that much more to have both. So many of the newer ones these days do both seamlessly and can show both the sonar and the navigation features at the same exact time on the same screen, albeit a 6x6 screen would give you 2 3x3 images. But can easily be sized to any
meaning "any" combination and size you want. Not to mention even at a full size image on the navigation you can include what is called the digital data on that screen with a small text blocks that would show things like just the depth or water temp each or together. (Like a wrist watch shows the day & date). New units these days are highly customize-able.
The transducers IMHO are a pain in the ass to mount if you want maximum performance. (Just a personal opinion.) Yes the instructions make it look easy and the process is just drilling a few holes and installing a few screws. But again (IMHO) getting the thru hull transducer works better and will do less permanent visible damage to the hull and eliminates having wires going over the transom. However not all boats can use thru hull transducers but most can.
From personal experience I can't imagine having one without the other in the same unit and have had just better overall luck with an epoxied thru hull transducer. (No drilling at all) (However often they don't come with some units standard but can often be acquired free/no cost as an even exchange from the manufacturer in a few days.)