With Black Friday coming up I have found the 93 for 699 the 106 for 999 and the 126 for 1499 all with the 54 transducer. Would you get 2 of the 106 or would you get 1 106 for the console and a 126 for the front and live scope. I know I am going to be over my 2k budget. Also would you consider the 93 or just get the 106? Several say they like having a bigger screen what's y'all opinion
if you are ever thinking of adding panoptix AND networking the console unit, i would bite the bullet on the ultras.
1. most important. 93's only have one ethernet port but ultras have two. in order to connect a 93 at the bow to panoptix and network it to the console unit, you need three connections. that calls for a gms 10 port expander, about $275. add that to the $699 and youre at the 106 ultra sales price. sure you can use a 20 dollar netgear port expander but if it ever gets the least moisture in it it will short out the enet ports on the mfd.
2. processing power and memory. the ultras have higher core counts on the cpu's and more on board memory. dont believe me, ask some of these guys with both to bring up the maps and do a quick zoom and see which one redraws the map the quickest. now relate that to drawing an image on the screen. if you ever update the onboard mapping, it has to read from the ac sd card, which will slow it down. doesnt have enough memory to load directly to the unit.
3. resolution. not really going to matter with panoptix. the image it draws is with a 20 degree slice vs a .5 degree slice from ultra si. the 93 can handle it and might actually look a little better with an lvs32.
depending on how you fish and your budget, will determine which ultra combo youll need.
myself, if i was buying it with how i fish and a two unit boat. a 126 at the console and a 106 at the bow. the 2" extra at the console will be great for a multipane combo with say mapping, di(2d) and si running at the same time. get an extension mount at the bow and raise the 106 off the deck if needed if you plan on using panoptix. two 106's will be fine as well, youll just have less space for combos.
also keep in mind if you install this yourself, how long these xducers are and what type of transom and hull you have. youll need 8-9 inches of clearance on both sides of the xducer.