Anyone add a GPS / Fishfinder to their boat?

[centuridude 9]

I am thinking about adding a Lowrance Hook 4 combination GPS/Fishfinder to my Avalanche.  Has anyone else added one or something similar?  It looks like the placement of the transducer on the stern is very critical and should be in a place where there isn't a lot of air bubbles.  Is this an issue with our in-board props?

I would like to go with the Lowrance Hook 5, but there just isn't enough space on my dashboard.

Any hints or other comments before I go out and buy one?

[Nick213 583]

I do know a good amount of information on this.....

you will need a thru-hull transducer and it will need to be located on the side that the prop spins and forward of the prop if that makes sense.

[centuridude 9]

Yes, that makes sense.  Can you clarify whether the transducer would mount through the hull (meaning cut a hole in the hull) or would it mount on the inside of the boat (without putting holes in the boat), and shoot through the hull?  Or maybe both types of transducers exist??

I plan to call Lowrance and get their input as well...

[Nick213 583]

Both do exist but you have to do some research and be sure the unit you get (hook4) or different that they have the transducer you want that's capable l.

http://m.basspro.com/Lowrance/Eagle-Transducers-Trolling-Motor-or-Shoot-Thru-Hull/product/59005/?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions

just got my dad a hook7 with upgraded transducer for Father's Day.

[Timr71 30]

I have the Hook 4 installed in my boat.  The transducer that came in the box could be mounted either externally or in the bilge shooting through the hull.  Mine is in the bilge shooting through the hull on the driver's side.  The key is getting it to sit level on a bed of marine epoxy.  My cousin did the install for me since he had done it before.  I flush mounted the unit in the dash.  Very clean.  Works great.  

[centuridude 9]

Here is a picture of my install.  I ended up with the Hook 5.  I made a mounting bracket out of a plastic cutting board from Walmart and I mounted the transducer in the bilge area with silicon.  I was hesitant to use epoxy until I could test it out.  I spent a few days at Lake Powell this past weekend and am happy with the performance.  It was really nice to have the GPS on a big lake like Powell. 

[centuridude 9]

Oh, and if you look at the picture above closely, you can see that the reported depth on the Hook 5 agrees with the depth-finder on the boat.

[centuridude 9]

4 hours ago, Timr71 said:

I have the Hook 4 installed in my boat.  The transducer that came in the box could be mounted either externally or in the bilge shooting through the hull.  Mine is in the bilge shooting through the hull on the driver's side.  The key is getting it to sit level on a bed of marine epoxy.  My cousin did the install for me since he had done it before.  I flush mounted the unit in the dash.  Very clean.  Works great.  

Nice clean install.  I like it!

[Nick213 583]

Nice centuridude! The clutter below the surface on your sonar can be adjusted in the frequency settings.

Very nice install's guys!

 

Edited July 19, 2017 by Nick213

[Timr71 30]

11 hours ago, Nick213 said:

Nice centuridude! The clutter below the surface on your sonar can be adjusted in the frequency settings.

Very nice install's guys!

 

Thanks.

If you look, you'll see that I eliminated both the traditional round depth finder and the clock in my dash restore/rebuild.  And yes, I agree that it's nice to have the GPS on a big lake.  Plus, the GPS will give you speed so I can keep my manual speedos calibrated (when they're not clogged up.)