So now that I have a T13 I want to attach my lowrance Elite 4, but I am not sure if I want to mout it under the sonar shield or put it on a RAM mount and mout it close to me. my concer in that it has a 3.5 in screen and if I mount it under the Sonar shield I wount be able to see it very well, but if I mount it closer to me and I flip on a landing I will break something. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Sarge,

You could always just take off the head and stash in inside the rod pod for super gnarly ladings as well...

If you have the "Mod Pod" hatch for the rod pod you may be able to rig up an easy mounting solution right there on the hatch?

Post up what you are thinking before you do it and let us see!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Sarge, I went with a Ram mount on the Rod Pod with my T13 and even keep my 7ah battery under the sonar shield. Along with the scupper transducer I have zero holes or drilling. There is some issue with glare on my screen but isn't there always? If I had a bigger screen I probably would have used the sonar shield to free deck space. I must carry a screwdriver to remove the cables from the bracket and loosen the Ram mount at the ball before cartopping. This requirement IMO gives me a leg up against corrosion. Bill's statement about ease of operation due to the units closeness is reflected by my experiences too. Plus there is nothing that cant be undone. You don't get much of a "rigging experience" but I'm happy with the way it works.
Amos
*edit, I should note that my ff isn't an Elite 4, my comments refer only to the concept of mounting a ff of similar size in similar fashion to those stated in the original post. 

There are a LOT of ways units can be mounted so no "one way" is right/wrong, just different.  Rigging a yak is the fun part!  Have fun with it!  I like to sit in the yak, attach the head unit to the proposed mounting arm (ie. RAM) and move it around the yak to get a feel where it works best.  Sometimes having someone hold it there while you pretent to fish or paddle works too.  Looks goofy so keep the garage door closed when you try this method

I first mounted mine under the shield for a year or so. It has a small screen. I then saw on this site where a guy had used a 4" or so ram mount from the sonar mount area which got the FF that little bit closer to me. I bought the parts and have now done this install. It all fits back in the sonar well and the lid can be closed. Also if it doesn't work out in the long run I can just put it back as before. It makes it easier to reach as well to push the buttons. Have not had it out in bright sunlite yet to check for glare tho.

Yeah, with a Lowrance you can get the RAM attachment that will plug right into the back of the unit so should be super easy to take off...

Here is how Bill helped me rig up a Lowrance on a RAM ball on my old Cuda:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=46278.msg512685#msg512685

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Hey Sarge,

Here is the info for that mounting system from Ram for a track system.

RAM Mounting parts

RAM 1" BASE FOR LOWRANCE MARK AND ELITE
Product Number: RAM-B-202U-LO11
Retail: $12.65

RAM Long Double Socket Arm for 1" Ball Bases
Product Number: RAM-B-201-C
Your Price: $23.45

RAM 1" Diameter Track Ball with T-Bolt Attachment
Product Number: RAP-B-354U-TRA1
Your Price: $9.49