iam trying to determine what to run for a bow mount depthfinder i already bought a lms 522 for a console graph.now iam deciding between a vexilar which i already own or a x510 up front any suggestion would be gratly appreaciated
Honestly, I dont prefer any type of flasher for open water use. If your not looking at it constantly, its very easy to overlook something you have already gone over(structure or fish).
There are lots of good graphs out there for a reasonable price available. The most basic $100 graph will get you by for a bow mount graph, or get in contact with Jolly Ann Marine and pick up one of the discontinued Garmin GPS
map/graph 178(garmin upgraded to color 178c, same unit but color) for about $260 if my memory serves right.. then you have the total package up front for less than your flasher cost.
Dave,
I’m not sure I understand your opinion. You are correct in that if you aren’t looking at a flasher more often you might miss something – but that is because a flasher shows “real time” data.
If you are implying that a graph will allow you more time to see something – I would disagree because by the time something shows up on a graph, you are typically already over the top of it or past it.
I think having a flasher on the bow (w/trolling motor puck) is much more accurate than any graph….and once you get used to knowing what you are looking for, you don’t really have to check it as much.
Just my .02. Not saying one way is right or wrong. Having both is probably the way to go 
I’d just buy a transducer for up front and mount the 522 on a JohnnyRay or Ram mount. Just move it up front when you need to.
As soon as you get a chance to use that 522, I’d be interested in how well the internal gps antenna works for you, especially behind a dash.
-J.
I have a LMS 332 and a vexilar up front, I love it because when I am fishing up front I jig right under my motor and it is like ice fishing, you can see the fish come right up to your jig, now you have to be in some deaper water and it will not work working the shore line. You all most need a flasher and a gps graph.
do u think the 522 will get good enough reception under a bubble windshelid sitting on top of the dash
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do u think the 522 will get good enough reception under a bubble windshelid sitting on top of the dash
1. The bubble windshield should not interfere with GPS reception. My GPS antenna sits well under my windshield, as do many others, without problem. If you get reception problems, I would guess that it has to do with the unit, not the windshield. I’m with Jon. Please let us know how the new internal antenna performs overall, once you’ve had it out a few times.
2. The flasher vs graph issue is not the same today as it was years ago. Older graph units were slower to display data on your screen, so you were not seeing “real time” images on the graph. That is no longer the case. With the newer graph units, you can sit with a 1/4 once jig in 30 foot of water and watch it bounce of the bottom in real time, on the graph. Anyone who runs one of the newer units can verify that for you. Today, moreso than in the past, I think a color graph like the X510C you mentioned is the way to go. Not only do you get real time display (or very near real time), but the image is “captured” on the display for a longer period of time so you have a greater chance of seeing what’s going on below the boat while you are trying to fish. Also, consider that while your at the bow you are going to be moving very slow, usually with the trolling motor. You don’t need a 100 percent “real time” picture to locate or stay on top of fish or structure under these circumstances. For the reasons above, I prefer a graph on the bow.
ill defiently let you no how i like it and how it opperates just as soon as the water opens up
Well I have to say first off I’m a die hard flasher guy (marcum).
That being said I now run my 337 on the bow, and hands down the biggest reason I do that it because with my new trolling motor, it’s too easy to ruin a transducer cable, so I’m running the universal sonar on my bow mount and MinnKota does not make a universal transducer adaptor for marcum
I have found that the 337 actually does a very good job on the bow, with the hyperscroll and ping speed set to 100%, and the amplitude scope running (under the sonar features menu), which gives you flasher like read back that you can see and understand. (I’m still convinced the flasher mode is worthless). Overall it is pretty quick not exactly as quick as a flasher, but not far behind, certainly quick enough to watch a fish come up to check out a bait and go back down (theme of the day mind you ) I have to say I feel comfrotable enough with it, plus I have the added benefit of my Navionics card in for depth contours, which really helps when running the bow mount and trying to stay on top of a spot.
Will I go back to a flasher? If or when minnkota makes a US adaptor for it? I may, but having the contour maps may provide to be a benefit for the type of fishing I do, and running the 337 how I described, it works good. 
BTW I encourage anyone who wants to run a Marcum on a US/2 from Minn Kota to go ahead and contact them and encouge they make it, I discussed this with Marcum, they said they have given Minn Kota everything they need to do so.
I will second what Wade said.
I had my new 520 on the water this weekend doing some playing around. I could watch the jig on the bottom, and see when I picked up with a very minimal delay (less then a second). Go with a graph, you will not be disapointed.
Add the amplitude scope option you’ll see virtually no delay
Though given the fact you have a flasher and not the 510 already I’d run the flasher and not go out and buy another unit, I happened to have my 337 as an extra unit since I bought a bigger one for the dash on an whim. I failed to mention that even bigger reason, I’m running the 337, no way would I pay anything more if I already had a capible flasher already. At very least I’d run the Vex and make you descion after running it for a little while.
And then personally I’d still get a unit with the gps capiblity up front, can always save a little by networking the gps modules and buying a transducer seperate, and buying the unit without both gps and transducer (included in the box) Heck I think that method is the same price, then you have the power to run gps if you want to, or a back-up
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Add the amplitude scope option you’ll see virtually no delay
Is the amplitude scope something new? I have a 332 and am not familiar with this feature. Could you explan what it does, and where to find it in the menu settings?
Thanks
Roddy
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