Side-imaging sonar reviews

[Larson15]

Well then you somehow got really lucky.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Ive purchased stuff at the shows and not paid tax as well, just one of the reasons Im thinking of hitting the shows.

So what is the big difference between the old and new 798s and the 797s?

Ok, so I looked around as far as I can tell is the 797 has a slightly lower pixel count, only one card slot while the 798 has two and a 16 channel gps receiver (50 channel on the 798). Did I miss anything? Would losing those features be worth a price reduction of $100?

[TooTallTom]

Hey TurnUpTheFishing,

Being a single guy, I can say that I feel the same way about GPS channels, pixels, and SD card slots as I do about women: The more the merrier.

I was looking at buying a GPS fishfinder last summer (SI makes me drool, but is still out of my price range.) and was thinking about buying a less-expensive one with fewer features. I finally decided that I should just wait a little while and buy the more expensive one for two reasons:

1. I really had no problem spending a similar amount of money on a firearm, and this would be my only fishfinder rather than an additional one (like a firearm purchase would be).

2. The extra ~$200 spread out over the several years I'll have it and god knows how many uses (I'm running it in winter now, too!) really comes out to be a pretty small expense when compared to the increased ease of use (more pixels and SD card slots) and slightly better performance (more GPS channels).

Decide on which one you want, then find the best overall (I count lots of stuff in "overall" including retail experience.) deal you can.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

That is very true. I too have been the fence on whether I can even justify this locator. Ive finally come to the conclusion that I can justify it but not at retail price. Ill just have to wait and see what kind of prices I get quoted to me and decide then.

[delmuts]

I know what you guys mean! I was VERY lucky in tht my WONDERFULL WIFE gave me half of the money as a Christmas present! Otherwise it would be a while before i got mine!

[reddog]

Opening day for my 2011 season.

Love my Bird!

[NTW]

Like you'd need the bird to locate that mess!

[reddog]

Like you'd need the bird to locate that mess!

I guess I cant argue with that.

[delmuts]

Well! My 798C SI arrived tuesday! Haven't fired it up as of yet( hopefully today!).Got it registered, had to get some fuses for the inline( my others are in the boat, in storage! ), so plan to hook it up to the power converter today! Been going over the manual for it! WOW!! 200 pages with diagrams etc. Still trying to decide where to mount the transducer. Now the fun starts!

[reddog]

I dont think theres 200 pages...... in english, I think theres like 4 different languages printed, but I could be wrong with the 798.

[delmuts]

198!!!

[reddog]

Yikes, I just looked online. You got screwed, theres 210 pages online.

Since the waters hard, you got nothing better to do anyway, but nothing beats on the water experience. I dont think I spent over an hour reading thru my 997 manual.

Theyre pretty simple tools that are capable of doing way more than I need.

[Nick Kuhn]

I think I referenced the manual twice, everything else was just playing around to get it working. My initial advice is to use the 20/60 combo cone angle. Finding fish in 15 FoW is a little sketchy with just the default 20 degree cone. I also bump the SI and DI sensitivity up to 12 to start. Don't forget to check the software version. It should be current but you never know.

[delmuts]

I was noticing that the unit from Humminbird comes with the uni map loaded into it. How can i check to see if the one i have has it also?? Otherwise, i may have to take it back and order one from the factory outlet.

[katoguy]

If there are any contour lines on any lakes when you don't have a mapping chip in the unit, then you have the built-in unimaps.

I have been playing with my 998 every evening since I got the 2 new 2011 Lakemaster chips last week. (I found a smoking deal online and sold my 2011 chips on electronic-bay.) I use my ICE 55 setup. I just unhook the power to the ICE 55 and plug it in to the 998 (same plug is used). To view the maps without a GPS receiver plugged in you have to go into simulation mode. I can kill an hour every evening scanning potential new spots on the high-def maps. I make new waypoints that are a different icon than the standard icons that I already have set-up for my existing waypoints. During open water I'll go check out these new areas with SI and convention down sonar. The Lakemaster chips have quite a few new HD lake maps for my area of south central MN.

[reddog]

Katoguy.

Are you using your shaded depth option? If not, give it a try when looking at new lakes. It will really highlight your key areas. Change the settings a few times to see how the map changes

[Ed Carlson]

FYI: Bruce "Doc" Samson has a new Understanding Side Scan Sonar tips and tricks DVD out.

Anyone who has seen Doc's DVD's knows he does them up in a very thorough manner and they always help take the mystery out of New Tech devices and systems.

I would recommend looking for it.

[NTW]

That is a sweet idea Katoguy. I have been thinking about getting my 998 back out and messing around with the maps and icons.

Do you work for Johnson and fish the Ultimate Bass Tour that Gabby puts together? I think I have seen you around...

[delmuts]

If your unit has lakes stored in the memory, doesn't it show a menu/directory of them?

[katoguy]

NTW, yes & yes. We (Duh & I) fish the Ultimate and the Mankato Area Bass Tour. Before that we fished Southern MN Bass Tour, too. I thought I knew everybody that has fished competetive bass competetions in the last 10-12 yrs around Mankato. Do I know you?

[NTW]

Cool... Well you wouldn't know me from past tourneys in the area since I've only fished bass for a couple years.

I know of you (Stacy?) and Duh because I've kept an eye on the local circuits and made a few friends that fish them. I've fished with Noah S. and Dillon (Pat B's nephew). I haven't introduced myself when I've been at your weigh-ins and whatnot but will make a point to do that next time.

[nater]

Great info in this thread guys. It was great to read while I was looking into getting a new HB unit. I ordered the 798 si since they cut the prices. I've already learned quite a bit on here and other forums but it will be awesome to get it on some home lakes this season!!!

[Chode2235]

Great info in this thread guys. It was great to read while I was looking into getting a new HB unit. I ordered the 798 si since they cut the prices. I've already learned quite a bit on here and other forums but it will be awesome to get it on some home lakes this season!!!

My dad picked up the same locator for the same price. Can't wait to get it installed on his boat.

Myself, I am torn between getting a new trolling motor or a new side image finder this year.

[delmuts]

They are a cool unit! I bought a power converter so i can play with mine.

[pulleye16]

Finally had the time to go through and read all this...TONS of great info.

What do you guys think of just the Down scan or Down imaging units? 99% of the time I'm at a very, very slow speed lindy riggin' or jiggin' and what I've gathered you should be going at least 2mph to get good results.

I like the idea of the side imaging so you can see whats 200' on both sides but how far out (cone/fan angles) does the bottom scan pick up?

I'm guess know ones really played with these as there just coming out this year but if someone has some insight on these that would be great!