Hello all, new member here with a couple of questions about my new set up. I'm about to take delivery on a new bay boat with a literal boatload of Humminbirds! I'm switching from previous Lowrance setups in order to run my new Minn Kota Ulterra with the I-pilot link.I have zero experience networking multiple units together.
I have ordered a helix 12 g3n for the console and a helix 10 g3n (transducer on the trolling motor) for the nose of the boat. I also have a transom mounted 360 unit ordered and since it doesn't have its own screen, I added another helix that I would like to be able to move back and forth from the bow to the console (RAM mounts). I have four units to network and the I pilot link connected to my 5 Port network box. Other than running wires to both locations and physically switching them out at the network box each time I want to change positions, what are my options? Wishing there was a network box with more ports, or that I could somehow get a split wiring going to each location.
Any ideas? Maybe adding a second network box?
My second question is what to do with the transducer associated with the third Helix. I was thinking of mounting it inside the hull hoping that I would be able to hold bottom better at speed than with my transom mounted transducer. Since I'm networking units together, I'm assuming I will have no problem switching views on any machine to see the signal from any transducer? No interference problems to be expected?
I'm hoping to be able to view SI, DI, and 360 view on the console unit well viewing sonar returns on the secondary console unit while at idle speed on the big motor. Then, while I'm fishing (mostly inshore and nearshore SW) on the front deck, I'd like to be able to split screen sonar and navigation on one unit while having full screen 360 view on the secondary unit up front.
Any problems with this setup other than how to make the secondary unit portable from the console to the front deck?
Thanks for any input...
Very much looking forward to my future floating technology center!