Hey was wondering about opinions for electronics for our new Pioneer 2015 197 SF. I would like to install some type of flat touch screen chart plot / gps / fish finder. Also vhf & epirb.
Can anyone suggest any electronics that would be a good fit. We are super excited about Pioneer & there well built boats. Can’t wait to get out there and fish!!
Thanks yall!
Put the Lowrance HDS 10 Gen2 on mine. Wish I’d of spent a little more and gone with Simrad though.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
gamin 7612xsv. comes with sidevu, downvu, and 1kw chirp built in. just add transducer. also has wifi so you can use garmin bluecharts mobile and helm application.
vhf- i am partial to ICOM. cant go wrong with the M504
epirb - ACR Cat 2 is fine. dont need a cat 1. all you really need is the COSPAS SARSAT network. all the other frillies available are just that. you can probably just get the PLB and be fine. no need to spend all that money on a unit made for oceanic voyages if you arent gonna be 100 miles out every weekend.
Wow!! Thanks for the responses. $4000 for a plotter finder gps WOW!! So do you usually spend roughly 10% of the cost of the vessel on 1 electronic?? Hope it’s not a silly question just was kind of sticker shocked! Looks like a useful piece of technology…
So at this pace I could spend roughly 6 grand on electronics… Hmm pricey
you have to measure your dash and see what you have space for. the 10" and 8" versions are significantly cheaper.
i am at 20% right now with radar, 2 x chirp sounder, GSD 26, stereo, vhf’s and 2 x 12" displays.
gotta pay to play.
the new 18" touch screens are 10k a piece.
With a 19’ boat you are probably not going offshore, so a 7" screen will probably be suffice, if you want touchscreen go with a Garmin 741XS it is $1099.00 w/o transducer additional $200.00 w/transom mount ducer, this unit gives you chartplotter sonar with chirp technology and downvu. If you can live without the touchscreen go with a Garmin Echomap 74SV it is $1099.00 with transducer and gives you 7" chartplotter, sonar with downvu and sidevu + they have a $100.00 rebate until May 10, 2015.
Very user friendly gps and sonar.
2020 CC Key West
Mako 243 W/Twin Suzuki DF 175’s
Lots of folks fish offshore in those 197’s…Have heard a lot of good things about them.
Get as large a screen as you can muster
I got a new boat getting rigged and am going with the Garmin 7608vsx. Wanted the 7610 but not quite enough room in dash.
Good luck,
NN
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-water/fishfindergpscombos/echomap-74sv/prod507941.html I just got this for my boat and think it’s awesome… but it’s the first one like that I’ve owned.
Sabalo 21 150 Yamaha (under construction)
Key West Stealth 150 V-max (SOLD)
as someone who fishes offshore on the reg in a 197… that boat is just awesome. been in some snotty seas and it ate it up. fishes way above its class
“mr keys”
I really like the Garmin 741xs unit I have been using this spring on the 25’ CC in FL. I liked it so much I broke down and bought one to replace my Garmin 546s to use on the boat in Alaska this summer. I was pretty impressed with the detail reading bottom in 700’ while deep dropping. They’re pretty dang fancy for the size. If you can handle a 7" screen, I’d recommend it for sure.
Yeah I can’t wait to take possession of my new 197. I think I’m leaning towards the 7610xsv if the console space is big enough with transom mount ducer mounted in step &a add B60 thru-hull transducer. Question?? Does that sound correct for my needs as far as ducers…etc.??
DoubleN what type of boat are you rigging?
Nautidawg I hope to get offshore with this boat with some help from some more experienced 197 owners & of course any others willing to help. From what I gather seems to be a pretty capable boat.
Thanks for all the feed back! I do really appreciate any help. Also, I hear the garmin 7610xsv will not be available until end of April?? West coast port strike screwed up fulfillment times…
you do not want B60. go to the B1xx or B2xx size if you must have through hull.
for all around use up to 200’ this will be the ticket. side vu, down vu in lower frequency for enhanced depth capabilities. plus it has built in 600w chirp traditional sounder. all for 500 bucks.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/products/partNum/010-12223-00.ep
Barracuda thank you for all the ■■■■■■■■.
So is a thru hull transducer maybe not needed for this boat? I’m kinda lost on the advantages of having the extra thru hull transducer? Any insight would be helpful.
Take a Look at either the Simrad Evo2 or Garmin on their 7600 series. I’m running a 12" Simrad with structure scan and CHIRP with two transducers. The display is crisper and brighter also. They all have screen sizes ranging from 7,8, 9 and 12 depending on the manufacturer. Garmin has an all in one transducer for CHIRP, Side and Down Vu but it needs to be a transom mount. Otherwise you will need two transducers for your boat, if you go with a Thru Hull no matter the manufacturer if want want all three sonars due to your deadrise. My advice play with them and see which features you like and some you might feel you don’t need.
awesome
quote:
[i] DoubleN what type of boat are you rigging?
I am having a new Bulls Bay 2200 rigged and actually just got back from Moncks Corner taking it for a drive.
Going with the 7608vsx as the 10 won’t quite fit, dang it.
You need to contsct Wildlifesc on the Bft/HHI site for prices/install. Call him @ 803-600-1570. His name is Jim Goller and this is his website; http://www.technautica.com
You won’t regret talking to him.
Also, Barracuda above knows this stuff like the back of his hand,listen to what he says. He has helped me out on this stuff in a big way!
You are getting an awesome boat, btw! Just like Northchucky says!
Good luck,
NN
Awesome thanks for all the tips!! Double N you got mail
Northchucky little off topic but how far have you been out in your 197? Any tips for rigging you want to share? Thanks for any insight.
Barracuda I’m able to put the 10". Pretty stoked. Probably could have made the 12" work space wise but $$ wise I’m staying @ 10". I checked the 8" out today at Marine West. I do not think you will be disappointed. Seems like a great unit and big enough to see everything clearly. Back when I outfitted my 22 outrage in 2007 seemed like all the electronics were still kind of bulky and still a little “juvenile” in graphics & handling part touch part toggle. Things seem to be moving at a much nicer pace with technology & marine instrumentation. Ymmv
I’ve got a 197… 40+ miles offshore… regularly (when I had time) fished offshore… use it as a dive platform… fish inshore… Lowrance HDS Gen 2 10" display fits just fine… Love the boat! not too big not too small… wouldn’t trade it for the world… ok maybe if I had more money and they built a 25’ model…
“The Wet Dream”
20’ Pioneer 197
150hp Suzuki 4-Stroke
also… go to www.pioneerownersclub.com Great site for pioneer specific fixes… upgrades… and all kinds of other stuff
“The Wet Dream”
20’ Pioneer 197
150hp Suzuki 4-Stroke
not my boat honestly, it’s Got2Go’s but I’ve fished off that boat a ton the past year. One trip we left Remleys, trolled past the Georgetown Hole, bottom fished at several spots on the way in, and only burned 49 gallons!
Boat feels big when you are in it, very well designed.
Full disclosure… I like fishing in my other buddies 26 seahunt triton too 
“mr keys”
Edit… we are going trolling next week weather depending… I’ll update on how far we go 
“mr keys”