Side Imaging Transducer Mounting

Ok, I am going to get the Helix SI...seems like a great deal and a great introduction to side imaging. My unknown at this point is how I will mount my transducer. I have read through the various threads and found a great deal of info, but I still have a couple questions.
1. Is a fixed mount like a Mad Frog or a homemade better than the flexible Ram mount?

Here are my concerns that I need addressed. I like the flexible nature of the Ram mount. It can easily be pulled up if mounted near the seat and it appears to be able to take a hit should I not pull it up prior to impact. My concern with this way is that it might move around while pedaling around. Anybody with this setup, I welcome your sharing of your experiences.

The Mad Frog or similar seems cool as it looks like it can be held snug up against the side of the hull closer, making it more compact. I like this. It also appears that it will keep the ducer more stable. The only negative I can see is the lack of flexibility. Can the Mad Frog be quickly raised out of the water?

2. For both the Mad frog mount and the Ram mount, will these units be long enough when deployed to extend beyond the bottom of the hull of the PA14? I have done some measuring and it will be awful close from what I can tell when mounted from the gunwale of the kayak. I don't want to mount/drill in the side of the kayak as to me that is just asking for it to get ripped off at some point. This is why I don’t like the magnet mount that I have seen out there. I want to mount on the gunwale near the rail for easy access from the seated position.

3. Any experiences on Helix SI is welcomed too. Very few reviews online so far on this model. Am I going to see much difference between this unit and the HD units from Humminbird?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.

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It's not the heat it's the humility!!!
Hobie Pro Angler

I have a Helix 5 si.

The +:

- very light
- screen 5", but same pixels than 899 HD si
- screen 15/9, so 2D and GPS stay readable.
- GPS antenna included

the -:

- only one SD slot and Humminbird had blocked possibility to write on a Navionics card
- non common connector. You need to put the connectors by yoursef
- no shotcuts for views

About the transducer, I'm going to make a system with a sliding tube to have the transducer protected in cavity while transporting or 2D, and slightly down when using side-imaging.

I will post pictures and topo when it'll be done...

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

Wow. Thanks for the info. Your minuses might be dealbreakers for me. I might step up to the 899si.

_________________
It's not the heat it's the humility!!!
Hobie Pro Angler

Oups one précision:



I was talking about using a Navionics card. With a normal SD, you can do what you want...

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

So, can you pull your map card and insert a blank sd card to download your map and sonor history stored on the fish finder?

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It's not the heat it's the humility!!!
Hobie Pro Angler

If you put a Navionics card, you can only see the Navionics map. Of course you can mark a waypoint and use your waypoints, roads and tracks database ( with stay in the Helix inside mermory), but you can't record.

If you want to record, you need to pull off the Navionics card and put your SD card ( blank or not)...

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

My 798 transducer is permanently mounted on a custom plate covering the transducer well of my PA14. It's been performing solidly for the last 18 months. No weed tangles, no hassles with setting up or packing down. Just plug in the head unit and go.







Cheers,
Graeme

Good news! On Outback no need to have the transducer below the cavity cover, just make a hole in this one to get it slightly rise and works fine.

I will post about it soon...

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

They might like to know about that on the Outback forum then.

Cheers,
Graeme

There is an Outback forum???

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

There's gotta be one somewhere. This is the Pro Angler forum, so I'm assuming someone, somewhere has a forum for Outbacks.

Cheers,
Graeme

[quote="Kalgrm"]There's gotta be one somewhere. This is the Pro Angler forum, so I'm assuming someone, somewhere has a forum for Outbacks./quote]
I don't think so.

I didn't see it was in Proangler section, Il believed it was fishing...

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

Im looking at the lowrance hds7 touch with the lss2 transducer. I have an older pa with no port. lss2 transducer wouldn fit in that hole anyway. Im thinking ill do a side mount home made with ram components.

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It's not the heat it's the humility!!!
Hobie Pro Angler

Here we are: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=54136

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

I have my Humminbird side imaging transducer silicone into the very front of my new PA 12 and it works great. I had it mounted in the front of my Outback also. Just sand the inside and coat it with silicone and squish it in.

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Mike
2015 Pro Angler 12
Yellow with Humminbird side imaging