Hummingbird 788c

[mnfathead]

Anyone have this unit if so, any good? pros and cons? any info would be great.

[TooTallTom]

Do a search of the forums just to the right in the sidebar. There's a ton of specific info out there for any questions you might have.

I have the 788ci (same unit, but with internal GPS antenna instead of external) and I really like it. I am using it both summer and winter, and am really happy with its performance in both situations.

I'd say try to find one with the internal antenna (788ci). It's more flexible since you can just move the display/ head unit around and maintain your GPS functionality. But it's your money, spend it how you want to rather than how some random person from the internets tells you to.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I bought the ci so up can move it to the front of the boat when fishing. They sell an accessory mount that works slick. Just drop it on and all connections are ready to go.

[reddog]

Great unit. Also excels at ice fishing, so its a year round unit.

twin card slots for gps

Navionics of Lakemaster compatible.

and best of all, 3 preset shortcut buttons.

[NTW]

From what little I understand, you could make an argument for the external antenna too. It gives you the ability to put the antenna closer to the transducer and I've heard they have more channels (not sure on that one).

[TooTallTom]

I've seen the 597ci for 499.99, but not the 788ci. That's around $200 off. If this is true, let me know.

BartmanMN, are you looking at the 788ci, or the 788ci HD? The HD models the current ones, and are about $700 right now. If you pay that much for the now obsolete 788ci, you are not doing right by your wallet. Personally, I feel that the 788ci (assuming you can find one for in the neighborhood of $500) is the better buy.

[NCLaker]

What is the difference between a 788c, 788ci, 788ci HD??

[PerchJerker]

What is the difference between a 788c, 788ci, 788ci HD??

788c - discontinued model, external gps antenna, no ethernet capability

788ci - discontinued model, internal gps antenna, no ethernet capability

788ci HD - current model (new this year), internal gps antenna, ethernet capable, has a better processor to handle the new map card files and ethernet functions.

You can check out the new 788ci HD and our pricing HERE at Pro Fishing Supply. We are sold out of last year's models.

[Ed Carlson]

The 788ci HD is one of the best overall values and bang-4-buck sonar/gps units on the market today. The 788ci HD DI is another worthy mention, if Down Imaging is a high priority thing for you...I like...it's preaty neat stuff.

The 788c was/is still a very unit and a good deal. Compare the feature differences and see if it is a big deal for you specifically or not.

The new 788ci HD model has new enhanced features for you to grow with. The improved mapping processing capabilities is a big plus not to be overlooked.

If you thinking on linking multiple Humm'r units from front to back, and may have the need to use new Minn-Kota features/capability's, then the new 788ci HD model would be a better choice long term.

[Tator2k]

I my case I was looking at the Down Imaging features ALOT. But in the end I need to spread out my funds a little further for this year after already upgrading my trolling motor. This unit is a huge upgrade as I only had an Eagle 300 series monochrome graph. If I'm correct you can still us the interlink thingee to connect this graph with another.

[Nick Kuhn]

What is the difference between a 788c, 788ci, 788ci HD??

788c uses an external GPS antenna, 788ci is an internal antenna, 788ci HD is an internal antenna on this years model, which I believe has a different processor and better networking capability.

[PerchJerker]

If I'm correct you can still us the interlink thingee to connect this graph with another.

You should be able to do that, but HB openly admits that interlink doesn't work as good as it should (they can't get the software to work right). Interlink is going away, to be replaced by ethernet.

[nater]

I really like my 788ci. I've never owned or seen the HDS from Lowrance models on the water, so I can't compare precisely. The resolution on the 788 is awesome and its so nice to be able to shade depths on the charts and mark gps points on structure or fish by stopping the sonar and scrolling back.

I recently bought the 798 SI unit on sale so the interlink better work. I called them up the other day and they don't know of any phasing out of the interlink system. They would still have to support it to so it has to work IMO. Plus I don't think the old units would have the ability to convert to Ethernet so they would be useless for linking if that was the case, seems odd.

[PerchJerker]

I called them up the other day and they don't know of any phasing out of the interlink system.

A few weeks ago we were at an installation and training seminar for HB. It was put on by HB and given by HB pro staff, HB sales reps, and the HB brand manager (aka top brass). According to them they cannot get the interlink software to work reliablly and they are phasing it out ---- their new development work will be on ethernet, and interlink will stay the way it is now with no more updates or improvements.

You can still buy and use interlink, it's just that it's as good right now as it's ever going to be.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

The 788ci HD is one of the best overall values and bang-4-buck sonar/gps units on the market today. The 788ci HD DI is another worthy mention, if Down Imaging is a high priority thing for you...I like...it's preaty neat stuff.

The 788c was/is still a very unit and a good deal. Compare the feature differences and see if it is a big deal for you specifically or not.

The new 788ci HD model has new enhanced features for you to grow with. The improved mapping processing capabilities is a big plus not to be overlooked.

If you thinking on linking multiple Humm'r units from front to back, and may have the need to use new Minn-Kota features/capability's, then the new 788ci HD model would be a better choice long term.

Please explain the "improved mapping processing".

[PerchJerker]

Please explain the "improved mapping processing".

It has a new processor inside the unit -- a bigger, faster, better processor -- which gives better scrolling and updating with map cards (ie. big data files). Think of it as a computer than runs faster vs. a computer that runs slower.

The data files on the map cards get bigger and bigger each time the card is updated, and that makes them process slower and slower. More and more we are seeing guys looking for older (ie. smaller) map cards to run in their units ---- as long as the older cards have the data you're looking for, they'll run faster.

[whitebassman]

since the SI units use a much larger transducer, is the 788ci HD DI or SI models able to use the universal transducer hookup on the trolling motor?

For example, last year I had a 788ci unit installed onto my bow, using the Terrova transducer, can the new models fit the same and use the same transducer?

Something tells me that with DI or SI, you need a different transducer, and maybe large. Couldn't find any answer on the HB HSOforum

[PerchJerker]

since the SI units use a much larger transducer, is the 788ci HD DI or SI models able to use the universal transducer hookup on the trolling motor?

The US2 cannot do side imaging or down imaging for any brands or any units. The US2 is a 200 kHz transducer. SI and DI happens at much higher frequencies, 455 and 800 kHz. If you want SI or DI on your bow you need to mount the transducer to the motor (just like everyone did before US / US2 came out)

[Ed Carlson]

I believe you wound need to surface mount the ducers to the trolling motor. I think that is the easiest method at present. The standard internal Universal MK-US ducer system works on 200 Khz. One may be able to split it with the Y-Cable but I'm unsure on that?

Perchjerker may have a better read on that process?

[Ed Carlson]

Looks like we posted at about the same time.

Thanks Perchjerker.

[PerchJerker]

Looks like we posted at about the same time.

Thanks Perchjerker.

I'm fast this morning

[Shoot2Kill]

The 788ci is discontinued?!? I've had a wad of cash burning a hole in my pocket waiting for the muskie expo to try and get a good deal on one. So IF anyone has one at the show it will be because they are leftover stock???

Super.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

The 788ci is discontinued?!? I've had a wad of cash burning a hole in my pocket waiting for the muskie expo to try and get a good deal on one. So IF anyone has one at the show it will be because they are leftover stock???

Super.

Correct

[PerchJerker]

They were discontinued last fall and replaced by the 788ci HD, which became available around the beginning of February this year.

[TooTallTom]

The 788ci is discontinued?!? I've had a wad of cash burning a hole in my pocket waiting for the muskie expo to try and get a good deal on one. So IF anyone has one at the show it will be because they are leftover stock???

Super.

That is a big "if" though. I was at the NW Sports Show Wednesday afternoon, and Reed's was sold out at about 1:30 or so. Capra's had some, but I was quoted $650 for a price on them. For that money, I'd just buy this year's model.