humminbird with side imaging

[kerryd15]

Are the larger screens worth the extra cost? Looking at the 798, possibly an 898. Don't think i can swing a 998.

Will be using on shallow southern mn lakes. Looking hopefully for structure. will the 798 show fish on a soft bottom. I have watched most of the videos on youtube- most are structure or bottom content changes.

Will this be a benefit in pothole lakes, no submerged trees or brush piles that i am aware of-yet.

How do you like yours, what size do you have? Thought the 798 may be able to double as a backup flasher for the kids.

[double_agents]

Buy whatever you can afford. I have 1197, but don't recommend it. It's prob unnecessary to get the 10" as it's too big and gets in my way and blocks my view while driving. It is only good for finding structure, not easy to find or see fish marks. I've had mine 3 yrs and still struggle trying to master and read side imaging. It has a slow learning curve, and will just require lots of time to play around with it. My friends have the smaller units and can see plenty of structure on it as well. Just smaller version.

[swampbuck]

You will not be disappointed with the largest screen you can afford, but they are all good units.

It does take some practice to understand what you looking for.

youcan and will mark fish with the side imaging.

They show up as white dashes I have found Schools of fish of to the side of he boat put an icon on them and went back over and caught them.

It also works well to find suspended crappies sping and fall.

[JohnMickish]

I have the 898 and while the unit is great it is not big enough to run a sonar, map and SI at the same time. You will need to decide what screens you think you will want to run. For me, I need to run the map all the time, especially when in SI mode, and the 7" screen is marginal at best. This is where running two units comes in real nice.

The bigger the SI screen, the more info there is for you to see. If I where to do it over again, I'd either go with the 1197 or maybe a 898 and a 958 at the console. The SI feature is a great tool but it's not cheap.

[LoonASea]

I too am looking at getting a humminbird with side imaging,,,I have a tiller so the bigger screen wont be getting in the way ,,,I did hear a rumor that an 1198 is coming out in early 2011 so I may wait till then as it supposed to have a faster processer for better refresh time on the gps portion ,,,since I fish Lake Superior with planer boards the side imaging would sure be helpfull knowing whats off to the side of the boat I would keep my Garmin gps as it has some of the latest mapping software and just use the bigger screen for down/side imaging

Has any one with a hummer gotten the NVB (navionice value bundle) and how do you like it??

LAS

[goose89]

The bigger the SI screen, the more info there is for you to see. If I where to do it over again, I'd either go with the 1197 or maybe a 898 and a 958 at the console. The SI feature is a great tool but it's not cheap.

Just to clarify, a 958 will not give you Side Imagining or Down Imaging.

I agree with going as big as possible (affordable). I've got a 998 on console, and it's okay, but I've fished with a 1197 and difference is very noticable.

[goose89]

I did hear a rumor that an 1198 is coming out in early 2011 so I may wait till then as it supposed to have a faster processer for better refresh time on the gps portion

Rumor is true (according to a very reliable sourse).

[double_agents]

I don't recommend the Navionics bundle. I have it, but not sure if it does anything extra for me. If you're this hardcore, you'd also likely buy a new updated lake chip every year anyway. I pick up 4-5 new chips a year for my 3 GPS units on the same boat, both Navionics and Lakemaster since some lakes are not available on the other, or is not as detailed (HD) in one version or the other.

[mojogunter]

I would suggest that you go to a class to learn how to use your locator. You are missing out on so much, by not understanding what you are looking at. I went to a free class at Thorne Brothers to learn how to use my 1197, and that made a huge difference. I still learn more everyday I fish with it. Without any help it can be overwhelming. Buy what you can afford bigger is better. If you are thinking a 10" then I would wait for the 1198 to come out.

Buy whatever you can afford. I have 1197, but don't recommend it. It's prob unnecessary to get the 10" as it's too big and gets in my way and blocks my view while driving. It is only good for finding structure, not easy to find or see fish marks. I've had mine 3 yrs and still struggle trying to master and read side imaging. It has a slow learning curve, and will just require lots of time to play around with it. My friends have the smaller units and can see plenty of structure on it as well. Just smaller version.

[Loose]

I was looking at getting a 798 myself but was looking at them today and seen what you guys were talking about not being able to see enough. So fondled the 898 and I like it.

There is a video on youtube that made sense of it for a guy that only has seen screen shots from si.

[Larson15]

If you want side imaging do not go any smaller than the 898. Anything smaller will not be worth it. I have been running the 898 and it has been great.

[PerchJerker]

A bigger screen is definately a plus for side imaging, because it's so much easier to tell what you're looking at when there's a larger picture for you to see. The larger screen is a lot more beneficial with side imaging than it is with traditional sonar or GPS in my opinion.

You might want to check out the Humminbird 898c SI at Pro Fishing Supply, we have a pretty good price on them right now.

[harvey lee]

I have a 898 and a 1197. I would without a doubt go with the 1197 as the larger screen is so much nicer. It does not get in my way at all.

[Loose]

That is a spendy 3.5" though.

[pushbutton]

Rumor is true (according to a very reliable sourse).

wow!....welcome back!

[Nick Kuhn]

The larger ones are nicer but I don't think they are entirely necessary. I have a 798ci and have no problem seeing all the details even in the triple view from 6 feet away. You won't be able to see the mapping details, but I tend to memorize the map for the next few hundred yards and follow a path based on what the triple view is telling me. The 898 is a higher power unit though and offers a different frequency, so if you can swing it that may be worthwhile. You are paring huge premiums on the 9xx and 11xx series though. Heck you could almost get your eyes laser surgeried to 20/15 vision for the difference in price at the 11xx series.

[JohnMickish]

[

Just to clarify, a 958 will not give you Side Imagining or Down Imaging.

I agree with going as big as possible (affordable). I've got a 998 on console, and it's okay, but I've fished with a 1197 and difference is very noticable.

You are correct, the 958 does not run a SI transducer, but it does give you a 8" screen to run your sonar and map while your 898 will run the SI. If you are good at shopping you can find the 898 for under $1300. I think I paid right around $1250 for mine shipped to my door.

[goose89]

Gotch ya! I've been toying with that idea myself. I've got a 958 up front, and 998 on console. I really like having the 2D/DI/SI screen on, but lose the mapping then. Constantly "hot-buttoning" between screens while scanning new areas. Thought of getting another 958 (for map viewing) and putting it "midship" crossed my mind.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the new Ethernet connections, supposedly rolling out soon will allow the SI/DI info to come across a 958 screen. Still doesn't help me in my situation, but food for thought.

ps - thanks pushbutton.

ps - Nick, you've got better than average sight!! I cannot see DI/SI detail on my 998 from 6 ft away when using 3 way split screen.

[JohnMickish]

I think you are right with the ethernet, from what I understand you should be able to read the SI image on any ethernet device that is connected. This will also make it much easier for those that don't have a built in Xducer on their trolling motor as they will be able to use the rear transducer if they want too.

[kerryd15]

Well good or bad I got the 798, passed on a 797. had the same thought on the ethernet. If the display is too small I can upgrade to a different console-958. Which is way cheaper than 997. Thanks for all the advice. This way i can work my way into this. I can have the SI now and still upgrade to bigger screan later if needed.

[MN Mike]

Congrats Kerry, you'll love it, I'm coming off my second full summer on my 798 and I still get a grin every time I use it.

Even with the SI option, I still find myself using the 2D Big digit screen the most, GPS next and then the SI last, with the preset buttons its a snap to change between screens, I rarely split them.

The SI option is invaluable for looking at lake structure, I wouldn't give it up for anything!

You asked about using as a backup flasher, I did just that last winter in our permanent fishouse we keep on Lake of the Woods. I bought a Ice Transducer for $80, a spare mounting base bracket for about $28 and a spare power cable for $15, truthfully I didn't use the flasher screen much, I used the regular 2D screen with RTS and it worked great, you had some recorded history you could look at.

I was able to fish my LX5 Marcum and my 798 in the same house with not too much interference, took a little tweaking though.

Mike

[buzbunni]

do not go any smaller than the 898. Anything smaller will not be worth it. .

I disagree with this statement.

While bigger may be better in this case, one should pay for what one can afford.

My fishin' buddy could only afford the 798, and so that is what he purchased.

Would he have liked to have been able to afford a higher priced model?

Of course.

Is he happy with the model he purchased?

Indeed.

With the budget that he had, he feels he got the best unit on the market. Small screen or no, it has proved an invaluable resource in the boat.

[harvey lee]

Your friend got it right Buzbunni.

[reddog]

Figure out how much screen you can afford and then buy the next size up. It has to hurt a little.. If your not seeing fish on your SI, you dont have it set up correctly. I cant tell you how many units I have set up for guys that are amazed after I get it set up properly.

Side Imaging shines in shallow water!

[delmuts]

I'm interested in the info about the 798 models, but fear i may only be able to get a 788.The statement of "it should hurt alittle" fits with me hoping to step up to one of these. As of now; i'm saving, so hopefully by next spring i can buy one.