Should I swap out transducers

[Captn TJ]

Boat; 2005 280 twin 5.0's. There is a depth transducer which is plugged into the SC gauges

I'm going to replace the old Garmin chartplotter (no transducer) with a Garmin 942xs (which requires a transducer). I was thinking of swapping out the current depth transducer for one that is compatible with the Garmin unit so that I don't have to cut a new hole into the boat.
1. Does anyone know if there is a way to split the data so that I can have a feed into the SC gauge
2. If I disconnect the transducer from the SC gauge will I get an "error" message on the SC gauge (which would be annoying).

 

[b_arrington]

I don't think there is an efficient way to split the data, or get it out of the Garmin and back to the Smart Craft system. Transducers are sensitive to having their cables cut.

Having a secondary (or primary) depth on the SC gauges is very useful. In case the GPS unit fails for any reason, you have a backup. I did have a sounder failure and having the system depth was key.

I would add the second transducer vs. replacing the system one. Drilling the big hole for a B60 transducer was one of the scariest things I've done, but in the the end it was pretty easy to do. If you're not up to making a big hole in the boat you could use a transom mount transducer instead.

 

[Fly'n Family]

I'm not sure if you can "split" data from a transducer.....maybe via a N2k backbone set up where units than can receive data share the data?

I have a 942xs with a B60 transducer. Love the set-up, but did cringe at having my previously small transducer hole drilled out to accommodate the B60. Damn glad I did, and wouldn't hesitate to do so again.