Electronics mount question

[Snowking]

I would run a network cords up to the bow also. The hds 12 have two inputs for nema 2000 and Lowrance network. that way you can have the bow or transom networked. With both of the units having built in gps you would always have mapping. If the dash unit died you could just prop the bow unit on the dash. Plug your transducer in to get home.

[dgf2250]

If your HDS units are Gen3, then maybe you don't need to move the head unit at all. Gen3 transmits a wireless signal where you can take an IPad and repeat (and control) the display using a free app. Maybe all you need to do is mount an IPad back there

[dgf2250]

My own post proposing mounting an iPad at the stern inspired me to do this for my boat. I use Scotty rod holders, so it made sense for me to make an adapter that would let me mount an Ipad in a Scotty base. I had a Scotty post that I scavenged from one of their triple rod holders that I no longer use, but they make an electronics mount that would serve the same purpose. I mounted a 1/4 inch aluminum plate to the Scotty post, then to the aluminum plate, I mounted a Ram Mount and Ram Tab-Tite iPad holder. I also got a Griffin Survivor case for the Ipad. The Survivor case boasts that it can withstand sandstorms and provides rain protection up to 7 inches per hour. The iPad should be safe in this case. Since this will be mounted almost directly above the transducer, I'm hoping I can use it to jig this spring and see the jig like ice fishing. The case was $65 at Walmart, the Ram Mount was $35 at Cabelas and I mail ordered the tab-tite iPad adapter for $44, so I have around $150 in the setup. Significantly less than another HDS unit.

Here is the finished mount in my basement with the iPad connected to the HDS9 Gen3 using their free app which I downloaded from the app store. The iPad screen is roughly the same size as the HDS=9 and you can control the sonar unit using the iPad. It's touch screen.


Here it is when it's not mounted in the rod holder base and without the iPad


Think of how useful it will be to have an iPad mounted on the boat. Here are the apps I'll run in addition to the depth finder. I think I'm going to like this setup:

[Echo]

The iPad mount is awesome! Couple of questions:
1) I looked on the app store for Lowrance. Many apps available. Which one did you use?
2) is the Fishhawk screen you show an app also? I have a fishhawk at the helm, but using an ipad is a good idea.
3) can you setup to use multiple ipads?

Great idea. Thanks for the post and pictures

[dgf2250]

I experimented today with the iPad connectivity

It's possible to connect both the HDS and iPad to a mobile hotspot through my phone. The GoFree app was able to replicate the HDS display and the iPad still had internet. What I found, however, is the GoFree app would lose its ability to maintain a connection after a couple hours, then both the iPad and HDS had to be restarted. I bet this eventually gets fixed through software updates. When the HDS is connected to the hotspot, the GoFree was stable and maintained a connection for several hours without an issue. I'm going to have to come up with a way to get a charger to the iPad. There's no way the iPad can last all day with the display on all the time and turned up enough to be viewable outside in daylight.

I was able to take my kid's iPad minis and also connect them, so yes, more than one iPad can display and control the head unit. I think I'll stick to one iPad and will monitor the weather on or phones or maybe even get the XM/Sirrius module for the HDS.

I think this is a viable solution as long as you can be happy with the display size the iPad offers which is about the equivalent screen size as a HDS-9.

[dgf2250]

Since Smithwarnar's spam post brought this to the top, I'll provide an update to using the Ipad as a second display. In the heat of summer, an iPad will overheat if it's encased in a water resistant case. It just shuts itself down. It's good on cloudy days and cool days though!