I’m running a Helix5 w/ down scan on the Pond Prowler. Like jc34 mentioned, for Pflugerville I barely glance at it. Before TPWD instructed COP to spray the lake with hydrilla killer, I would actively look on the sonar for hydrilla in 6 to 15 FOW. Now, I use it just to verify that I’m in a drain or on a steep drop. The matted hydrilla used to indicate these pretty well.
Things that I don’t use the fish finder for are:
1. Marking largemouth
2. Water temperature
3. Maps (heading, waypoints, GPS, etc.)
Things that I do use the fish finder for are:
1. Depth (and structure like channels, points, and flats)
2. Breaks (stumps, hard spots, rocks, grass)
3. Bait balls
4. Speed
So the last one I use because of my long transit times. My old 598ci had a voltmeter, but Humminbird dropped that feature when they discontinued the 598ci and introduced the Helix. If my speed drops below 2.5mph, I worry the battery voltage may be dropping off. If the FF shuts down, that means the voltage dropped below 10V. Time to break out the e-paddle.
