You might be surprised to find that there is more to Garmin LiveScope then Panoptix Down. As crappie anglers go Panoptix LiveScope is by far the most popular imaging of all the seeing sonar technology. However, there more to LiveScope than Panoptix LiveScope. Garmin’s Panoptix Forward and Panoptix Down complete the all family of the real time and 3 dimensional viewing.
A quick look at Panoptix LiveScope and you will see that the family of LiveScope include LiveScope Forward, LiveScope Down and LiveScope Perspective Mode.
LiveScope Forward is generally used for scouting and fishing out ahead of your cast. Since it’s in LiveScope you are viewing in live, high definition imaging of fish and structure in a moving or stationary boat. LiveScope Forward is capable of reaching out to 200 feet.
LiveScope Down is generally used for viewing under the boat in live, high definition imaging of fish and structure in a moving or stationary boat. Like LiveScope Forward it is capable of reaching up to 200 feet.
LiveScope Perspective Mode is capable of viewing up to 200 feet ahead of the boat, however, it’s best used to view shallow water in front of the boat. Similar to the other LiveScope modes Perspective mode produces live, high definition imaging of fish and structure.
Panoptix Forward includes LiveVu Forward, RealVu 3D Forward and FrontVu.
LiveVu Forward shows fish swimming and moving towards or away from the boat in a live-video imaging view. You actually see the fish swimming, reacting to a lure or striking a lure in real time. Note that this is not a high definition image of the fish or lure.
RealVu 3D Forward scans the area in the direction of the transducer producing a 3D view of bottom contour, structure and fish. Range lines indicate location from the boat.
FrontVu scans a forward view of underwater obstructions within a 300 foot range in order to allow the driver or captain enough time to avoid collisions with submerged obstacles.
Panoptix Down includes LiveVu Down, RealVu 3D Historical and RealVu Down. Although Panoptix Down was monumental at the time, Panoptix LiveScope is typically what crappie anglers are wanting to use when electronic “sight” fishing.
“I rarely use Down View when fishing for crappie; it’s the forward facing mode that is key to locating and catching fish. However, there are certain times when I do use Down View and that’s when I’m vertical jigging or drop-shotting,” said Dan Dannenmueller Sr. Garmin pro staffer.
To get the most out of his units Dannenmueller uses a big 12-inch unit in the front with only LiveScope app running. “I want the most out of my unit. To do that I use a 12-inch unit on the front with LiveScope on to get the highest pixel count as possible so I can tell the size of the fish and utilize a Down Tube by Valor Marine to adjust the direction of my transducer,” said Dannenmueller.
For Forward View settings Dannenmueller will have it at 40- to 50-feet to start with and zoom in to 20- to 30-feet once he knows where the crappie are located. Normally Dannenmueller sets the depth to where the crappie are located. Dannenmueller will also turn off Noise Rejection feature, however, if the image on the screen begins to clutter turn it back on to one of the three sets of low, medium or high.
Another mode Dannenmueller use regularly is Perspective View. “I like Perspective View when Dead Seating, when I’m on top of structure, spider rigging or pulling baits. Perspective View allows me to see fish and structure out to the side of the boat when I’m sitting still or barely moving. I have also used Perspective View when searching for bedding crappie in the spring,” said Dannenmueller.
Normally Dannenmueller will set his unit at 40- to 60-feet then change to 20 feet when he gets on top of the fish around 10 feet away. He rarely go any farther out than 60 feet in his range settings.
Did you know there are two transducers for the Garmin LiveScope?
LiveScope Forward and LiveScope Down modes are available in trolling motor mounts or transom mount. Both are included in one transducer.
Panoptix LiveScope System retails at $1,499.99 online and comes with a LiveScope GLS10 sonar black box, Panoptix LVS32 transducer, trolling motor barrel mount, trolling motor shaft mount, transom mount, power cable, 2 meter Garmin marine network cable & small connector, network adapter cable and mounting hardware. The Panoptix LiveScope System is by far the most popular transducer with the LVS32 transducer with 20 x 135 beam range. LiveScope GLS10 has a range of 200 feet in forward and down views. It has Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) that stabilizes the sonar view in rough water conditions.
The smaller LVS12 cost less at $499.99 and doesn’t require a sonar black unit making it simple to install. It has a 30-degree forward and 30-degree down real-time scanning sonar views. The range is up to 200 feet in forward and down views in live time fish, structure and bottom contour. LVS12 has a built in Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) designed to make a more stable view in rough water conditions.