SI Transducer leveling

I saw this post in another thread regarding wiring a Helix and it was a little off topic so I thought I’d give my reply its own thread.

It seems to me getting a SI ducer to give you hyoid readings at slower SI scan speeds and 2D sonar at higher speeds, regardless of the brand, are things that are mutually exclusive.

Would I be wrong about the brand comment above? Does the shorter wider HB transducer give an advantage on being able to give both rareadings? I’m switching, or maybe adding, I’ve not decided yet, from a Lowrance system to a Helix. If it matters which Lowrance I’ve got the HOOK2 installed now but have a Simrad with the Structure Scan ducer (no total scan, maybe that’s got more cababilities regarding low speed/high speed readings?)

Here was the post and my reply –

brewerybuilder wrote:

I just got off the phone with Humminbird. WOW!! What a waste of time that was. I am trying to dial in the correct position so I get basic sonar readings at higher speeds. I have heard things about good customer service with Humminbird. I would have to DISAGREE! She was zero help and just kept telling me high speed readings are not possible. All the literature out there (including their own instructions) say high speed readings with 2D sonar can be expected. Especially with the now smaller ducers that come with the G3Ns. I was excited to move over to Humminbird with this being my first unit of theirs. I am now regretting my decision.

After looking into getting my SI transducer level for optimum SI performance, it has dawned on me that as far as ever getting high speed 2D readings, that’ll be like catching a fart in the wind. The video below is an excellent method of getting your transducer set to the optimal level setting. Now it may be possible to use this same teqnique for high speed if you can find some water like glass and have a helping hand in the boat, but once you go back to the garage and set that setting, you’ve just sacrificed your SI readings.

The only solution I see is either a sepearte unit with a skimmer ducer or a Y cable, which I’ve purchased and plan on using.

Regardless, this looks like a good technique for leveling the SI ducer.

There are plenty of owners of all brands who cannot properly setup a transducer to work at any speed.

2c

Level it for being on plane. Shouldn’t be much of when at rest.

Can do both on water with level and tape measure. Can repeat on land with same level and tape measure using Jack.

Always baffles me when you hear guys complaining about spending another $60 on a high speed transducer to add to their $1300-$3000 graph or graphs on their new boats. Just get it. It works sweet when set up like they recommend.

sktrwx2200 wrote:

Always baffles me when you hear guys complaining about spending another $60 on a high speed transducer to add to their $1300-$3000 graph or graphs on their new boats. Just get it. It works sweet when set up like they recommend.

Exactly.

HDSI and a Solix mega

Attachments:

1. 

   snp1022172247.jpg
   

2. 

   speeds.png
   

Yup, mine don’t look like that. I guess I need to do some tweaking

sktrwx2200 wrote:

Always baffles me when you hear guys complaining about spending another $60 on a high speed transducer to add to their $1300-$3000 graph or graphs on their new boats. Just get it. It works sweet when set up like they recommend.

Yes you can do that.

I’m equally baffled because 10 years ago I read the manual to my HB 898 SI. Then installed the transducer per instructions. Huh. It works!

Back then reddog was also responding to these threads the same way. On BBC boards. A humminbird resource.

Same transducer 10 years later.

Buy a Y cable if you wish.

Not necessary.

I suppose it is easier to just tell someone to install the Y & 2D…