Humminbird Side Imaging Forums
Side Imaging Forums => Helix Series Units => Topic started by: mako9man2 on May 31, 2017, 02:31:55 PM
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I think I have finally dialed in the transducer on my new Tracker 190 TX. I have been trying to avoid adding the 2nd skimmer transducer to get consistent depth readings at speed on my new boat. Today I was able to get the boat up to 47.5mph which at this point is WOT and I had very clear depth readings all the way to 47.5. Last time out I lost bottom readings at 40mph but that was in very choppy conditions. Today was very calm water and the depth readings were rock solid.
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That's encouraging to hear! I have a '09 Tracker 175 - also with the Helix 12 Si 1st Gen - I loose depth readings over 12 - 14 mph - Could you possibly post photos of your installation? May be very helpful for me and many others to see! Thanks! Oh yea - post some screen shots ;D
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On my old boat I could not get SI/DI images going more than 4mph. On this Tracker I get clean SI/DI images well past 8mph. After that I have to put the boat on plane and continue to get SI/DI images past 30mph. You can't do anything with those images but they are cleanly displayed on the screen. Reading depth on plane was my main concern and as stated it now does that at 47+mph.
My Tracker 190 came with a Lowrance Hook4 installed. I removed that and its transducer, made a transducer plate and glued/screwed that plate over where the Lowrance transducer had been on the lower step of the Tracker hull. I screwed my HB SI/DI onto that plate with the transducer barely peeking below the hull. It took a couple of trips to the lake and tweaking the position UP/DOWN until I got what I got this morning.
I believe I did a couple of things right.
1. Got the transducer into ultra clean water coming off the bottom of the Tracker as there is nothing but smooth bottom at this location on the hull.
2. Lowered the transducer slightly below the bottom of the hull. When I say slightly I mean maybe 1/4" on the right side of the ducer and slightly more on the left side as the hull slants in that direction.
3. Finally, and this may be the key because it is the last adjustment I made, I leveled the transducer relative to the natural slope of the hull when at trolling speed. Here is a link to the YouTube video explaining how to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuYsmJRc_fE&t=8s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuYsmJRc_fE&t=8s)
Here are a few pictures.
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Thanks for the additional info and pics - very helpful! I need to move my 'ducer down to the lower step and will use the info on the video to ensure it's at the right angle.
BTW - I have the Ram swing arm too and mounted in the same location - very solid!
Many thanks!