Recommendation for side imaging sonar

[Bamboozler]

I've been studying up on side imaging, because frankly I had no idea how to understand what I was looking at when I saw them, but now that I'm getting a better feel for them, I'm interested to know what a fella might recommend that's not going to break the bank, but is still a quality unit. $1500 units are just too dear given the number of days I actually get on the water, but I am trying to change that.

What are you favorites?

[PierBridge]

This will get you going on the right path!

Side imaging thread

Another

another one

One more

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

My issue with getting one is I've heard if you don't get the bigger screen you might as well forget it. That means get yourself a loan because you're going to need it.

[Nick Kuhn]

My issue with getting one is I've heard if you don't get the bigger screen you might as well forget it. That means get yourself a loan because you're going to need it.

Not true: there's actually more pixels on a 798 screen than a 998 screen. You just need sharp eyes or your reading glasses and you can see everything just fine.

[Bamboozler]

Thanks a bunch for digging those threads out for me. I appreciate it.

[eyebjim]

Is the big screen absolutely needed, No! Is it a lot nicer and easier to have a larger screen, Yes.

I have been using a 797c2si for 4 years now. This is the smallest screen they made. I really want to get a bigger one but I love the one I have. Just want the bigger screen and the preset buttons. The 798 (they no longer make the 797) already has the presets buttons so that is no longer a issue for you. it has a slightly bigger(wider) screen than my 797 also.

I have not yet decided it is worth it to pony up another $2000 to get the bigger screen.

[Bamboozler]

That's the biggest problem. It's crazy money. I'm really interested in the technology, though, and what it can tell me. I'm convinced it can open up a lot more spots given the robustness of the data and imaging. Most of the time I just guess what it's like down there.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Maybe you can hunt for a used one?

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Ive got a 798 and it works fine for me, though I gotta say Ive never seen a larger screen in use on the water.

The side imaging running alone on a 5 inch screen is fine but its when you try to split screen that things get hard to see.

I just dont buy into "if you cant get a big screen its not worthing having". Id much rather have my 798 than a similiar unit without SI.

The old 798s were selling for $800 for a while. maybe you could still find one or use that info to barter the price down on a used one.

[Hoffer]

I dont know if this will help at all. I talked to a guy this week whos installs them for a living. I was looking at the price pointof about 1K to get started.

My "guy" told me to just hold off if thats all I could spend for that starting point - that you really need to get to the "next level" or you just dont really get the "Really Nice" side imaging views that you see on the ads and pictures.

He recommended starting with at least a 1500.00 unit and when all is said and done would be around 2K for the install and unit etc.

Maybe he is full of it? I just know that if I am going to spend at LEAST 1K for just the unit - and if its not going to have the great detail of side imaging that I am expecting - then I am not going to spend my money on one until I can afford the next level up.

As mentioned - maybe he is full of it- and I would like to hear from others. I also would like to hold off until I can afford the bigger screen. I have talked to too many others that once they bought the 5 inch - they wish they had the 7 inch.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Your guy charges $500 dollars to install a sonar?! Am I the only one who thinks that is outrageous?

I dont think you need a high end unit to get really good pictures. You need it to be installed well (you can do it yourself) and a little knowledge about adjusting the setting based on conditions youre faced with.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Thinking I would rather spend my money on a new ipilot trolling motor instead. I think that would be a great addition for me.

[thatoneguy]

Your guy charges $500 dollars to install a sonar?! Am I the only one who thinks that is outrageous?

I dont think you need a high end unit to get really good pictures. You need it to be installed well (you can do it yourself) and a little knowledge about adjusting the setting based on conditions youre faced with.

Marine Max in Walker told me they would charge about $475 to install my 898. I did it myself...not all that difficult, really.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I'll do it for $350

[Hoffer]

I thought it was high too - but I think the 500 included other things like a set of Y cables or something like that and some other things?

I think the bottomline I was trying to convey was that this guy recommended the "next level" up in a side imaging unit. He doesnt make anything off what I buy- it doesnt matter to him... he was just trying to be helpful in guiding me to the best unit.

[Ed Carlson]

Even at $50 an hour shop time...I think that is high. Depending on what they are adding into that installation for vendor parts? Still..to me...it sounds high.

How many hours did he quote as required to do the installation?

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Marine Max in Walker told me they would charge about $475 to install my 898. I did it myself...not all that difficult, really.

I think people over-hype the difficulty of the installation. I fell for it myself, too. I was worried about installing mine and read a bunch online and looked for pictures of installs. When it came time to do it I just did it as the manual said and it turned out just fine.