Topic: Transducer setup for 999 HD SI on aluminum boat

[Free2Fish]

Hello,
First off, great forum!!!! Loads of info and a very astute membership.

I'm just getting back into the game after a 24 year hiatus. Long boring story but my grand-kids are dragging me back in.

After fishing out of a kayak for a couple of years I've purchased a Lund Fury 1400/25 HP E-TEC and outfitted it with a 999 HD SI, along with a 55#Minn Kota iPilot. I also own a 386ci that I used with the kayak.

I've read through a number of posts but still am not sure how to proceed to get both high speed and low speed signals. Here's what I think my options might be based on what I've read here:

1. Keep adjusting the 999 transducer until it works at a higher speed. I'd be happy with a high speed 2D reading at  around 20 MPH. Is this possible with the SI transducer?

2. Add an NXT 9 20 transducer and use either an HB TS-3 switch or AS-SI-DB-Y connector to switch signals. I understand the switch allows me to choose which 2D signal is used while the "Y" connector will only forward high speed signals from the 2D transducer (the NXT 9 20).

My plan is to mount my old 386ci at the bow using the transducer on the Minn Kota.

I's really like some comments or direction from some of the more experienced members of the forum. Am I on the right track here?

Thanks,
Harry

[mako9man2]

I can only comment on what I did with my HB999 to get good 2D sonar images and depth readings while on plane.  I had to add the XNT 9 20 and AS=SIDB-Y cable.  this solved the problem and I did not have to spend  any extra money buying the TS3 switch because the XNT 9 20 is just as good a signal a that in the HDSI transducer for 2D sonar.  I can read depth at 36mph.

[Free2Fish]

Thanks Makoman, good to know that option works well.

Can anyone advise on the highest speed the SI transducer will work at using 2D?

Harry

[bobcoy]

I get a solid bottom trace at 52MPH in up to 200'. Don't expect to see fish at that speed though.(single HDSI transducer on the transom of a Lund boat) Bob

[Free2Fish]

Thanks Bob. The dealer who is going to install this has said it will be no problem so I'll go with that for now.

Harry

[rnvinc]

There are 2 issues that arise when trying to get high speed depth readings from the stock HDSI xducer...


1. The HDSI xducer housing is just an unruly designed beast to get water to flow over the face of the xducer constant enough at high speed to keep un-interrupted bubble-free water flow...

2. Low enough HDSI mounting positions on the transom to get high speed depth readings (in respect to point #1 above)....also put this expensive $270 xducer in harms way of being knocked off the transom...

Either of the 2 reasons above (or a combination of both)...is the reason most decide to use either the HB TS3 switch or the AS SIDB Y cable setup with a Dual Beam xducer for high speed depth readings...

Rickie

[Free2Fish]

Thanks so much for all the good info, appreciate it.

I've spoken to the dealer about the concerns raised here and she assures me the installation will work fine. They have installed many of these transducers and have never had a major problem come back to them. Apparently some folks had issue with a bit of spray but I'm willing to try it out to see if it'll work for me. I'm retired and the money isn't flowing in like it used to.

Harry