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New User
Posts: 2
| Walleye Folks,
I'm mostly a musky guy, I know you guys are good at electronics, so I thought maybe someone could offer some advice.
I have a new Terrova trolling motor with the "Universal Sonar 2" feature. I'm thinking of getting 2 Lowrance lcx27 units, one for the bow and one for the console. This would be a big upgrade over my current setup.
I'm wondering about a few things, though.
1. Do any of you have experience running Lowrance units through a Minnkota Universal Sonar system, especially a larger color model? I've heard that being a "universal" transducer, it may not be as effective with those units. Could I expect to have good results?
2. Can you run two 27s at the same time on an 18 foot boat? Will they typically interfere with each other? Do you shut off one while using the other?
3. Will higher powered sonars like a 27 function effectively in less than 10 feet of water? Or will they pick up too much detail?
I'm kind of new to the color sonar/larger screen thing, so any help would be appreciated. | |
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Member
Posts: 192
| My old WX1880 Skeeter was 18' 9" and I ran a X25 up front and X110 on the dash. I never had a problem with them interfering with each other. My last boat had the universal sonar, but after a year of using it, I ran into problems and used the Lowrance transducer instead. I prefer not to use the universal sonar anymore. My new WX1880 does not have universal sonar on the bowmount. I do feel that I can get better definition with the Lowrance transducer versus the Universal Sonar. I have heard that the new universal sonar transducers are supposed to be better than the old ones. Since Minn Kota and Humminbird are partners now, I would assume that Humminbird units will work a little better than Lowrance units. I have no proof of that though.
My opion is that for what you do, an X27 with the universal sonar should be just fine. In 5-10ft, the unit should still work fine. 5ft and less might be a different story. I can't say that I can remember ever not getting at least a depth reading in any depth of water with my X25.
When I first switched to color units, it took me some time to figure out what was what. Once you do figure things out, you really can see alot more than with grayscale. I could never go back to a grayscale unit. My advice is to take a day on the water and play around with your new graphs. Get to know them. Adjust things as needed to suit your needs. Read the manual while your out and play around with all the features.
Good Luck and enjoy your new X27's. You will like the setup. I love having that bigger graph up front.
Mark O'Brien | |
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New User
Posts: 2
| Thanks for the response.
Do you use the Lowrance trolling motor mount (the bracket system?)
And, do you happen to know if you use a "Skimmer" transducer or a "puck" style on the trolling motor? I'm not sure which is used more often.
Interesting point about the Humminbird v. Lowrance with the Universal Sonar. I wonder if Humminbird does work better. You'd think with the popularity of Lowrance it would have to at least work pretty good... | |
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Member
Posts: 192
| I just used the basic 200khz skimmer transducer that is most commonly supplied with Lowrance units. I have not tried the trolling motor transducer that you can get as an option. I just bought the bracket that you'll need to mount the transducer to the trolling motor. The only bad thing is with the Terrova, you won't be able to attach the transducer wire up the trolling motor shaft to make things look neat. I have a Maxxum. My dealer did a pretty sweat deal when we mounted the transducer and ran the wires up. I'll see if I can get a pic posted early tomorrow if you wanted me to. To make things look cleaner, I would maybe just use the universal sonar for now. See how you like it. While your on the water, make the settings on both graphs the same and see if there is much difference between the universal sonar on your bow unit and the supplied transducer on your dash unit. If you don't like it, you can always sell the adapter plug and use that money to purchase the trolling motor bracket for the supplied transducer. I would say that for most people, the universal sonar is going to work pretty darn good. I just happen to be a jig fisherman. Sometimes I fish some pretty small stuff and I need to see everything.
Mark | |
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Member
Posts: 238
| I was told that the Lowrance/Minnkota setups are ok but not as good as Hummigbird/Minnkota now that Minnkota owns Hummingbird or vice versa. I was also told that you lose about 10% with a Lowrance hooked to Universal Sonar. If you want two Lcx27's go ahead and get them. A friend of mine put two 27's in a 1600 Lund Explorer and has now trouble with a Terrova with US. I think you would be ok!
Electronics have came a LONG way!!! | |
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Lowrance/Universal Sonar