Getting new rig what should go on the bow HB 898SI on console

[mwal]

I,am Getting a new boat this off season a Stratos 186xt with 115 Etec. I will put my terrova ipilot on it. I want to start over with electronics so I will be getting HB 898 Si on console and would like to attach the Ethernet to something on my bow so I can see the way points I select on the Side Imaging.

Mwal

[Further North]

I would use at least 798 up there...but if you don't want to spend the money on an other side imaging unit to put on the trolling motor, consider the 788 HD DI Combo.

If you want to go smaller than that, look at the 597.

I run an 1198 at the console and a 997 off the trolling motor (SI is great to have on the trolling motor); I have a Terrova 101 with iPilot and you can't beat that combo with a stick.

Since boats don't catch fish, I have an old boat so I can afford great electronics....

[TravP]

I would use at least 798 up there...but if you don't want to spend the money on an other side imaging unit to put on the trolling motor, consider the 788 HD DI Combo.

If you want to go smaller than that, look at the 597.

I run an 1198 at the console and a 997 off the trolling motor (SI is great to have on the trolling motor); I have a Terrova 101 with iPilot and you can't beat that combo with a stick.

Since boats don't catch fish, I have an old boat so I can afford great electronics....

The 597 and 798 are the same size.

[Larson15]

I run the 898 on the console and 858 on the bow and highly recommend going with this size. I had a 788 on the bow of my previous boat and it was too hard to look at especially if you are running a chip. Right now there are some crazy deals on 858's.

[Superduty]

Get the "H" out and put a Lowrance HDS 8 or 10 on the console with an HDS 5 or 7 on the bow. Just playin with ya. I'm a Lowrance guy(can you tell?) but I would go with the biggest Humminbird unit you can afford and will link with your console unit and display the rear units side imaging capability.

[Esox_Magnum]

Bet you could easily talk my buddy out of his HB units, neither of us are impressed with the graphing, we both prefer my HDS units....

[Larson15]

I highly disagree with the both of you!!!!

The birds are more user friendly and lakemaster mapping is better on the birds.

Either way you go, like previously stated, go with the biggest you can afford.

[Deitz Dittrich]

agree, get the biggest you can afford.. think about it, you are looking at that one 95% of the time, it should be your better one. I dont get all the guys that put nice big ones at the drivers console and then small cheaper units up front.

[Cecil]

I will have to disagree slightly. Get a little more than you can afford . I'm kind of joking and kind of not. You will regret not saving for another couple months or tapping into the vacation fund if you dont get the one you really want.

[mwal]

Will having the 858 on the bow controlling the SI transducer allow you to view what happening on a smaller non SI unit on dash. Dietz you are correct I spend 95% of my time at the bow trolling motor.

Mwal

[mwal]

Will having the 898 SI on the bow controlling the SI transducer allow you to view what happening on a smaller non SI unit on dash. Dietz you are correct I spend 95% of my time at the bow trolling motor.

Mwal

[Larson15]

You will only be able to view the SI on the 898.

[Superduty]

You will only be able to view the SI on the 898.

You could always Ram mount your 898 and spin it around so you can see it from the bow. Apparently only the HDS units allow you to share side imaging

[Larson15]

For what it costs its still cheaper to buy 2 SI capable Humminbird units opposed to 2 Lowrance units and the structure scan box!

[Superduty]

Larson15,

I tried to send you a PM but you are over the limit.

Humminbird makes some good units and has a lot of loyal customers.

MWAL,

Lowrance has some great rebates right now. I don't know what a Humminbird 898 costs. You can get 2 HDS7's(on sale for $849 minus $200 rebate=$650ea) and a structure scan box for $1850 right now if you do your shopping and get the $400 in rebates. Substituting a HDS8 for the HDS7 will add $700 to the total.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Will having the 858 on the bow controlling the SI transducer allow you to view what happening on a smaller non SI unit on dash. Dietz you are correct I spend 95% of my time at the bow trolling motor.

Mwal

No, I dont think so.

[Larson15]

Superduty, should be good now.

[smalliehunter]

Just as a heads up my 1197 and 788 won't inter link. Only the 8 hundred 9 hundred and 11 hundred series will link with each other...maybe the 798 would link up but I don't think so

[kg2]

They will link with ethernet as long as the 700 unit is the current HD series.

[Larson15]

The 1197 and 788 will interlink with the use of the interlink box. I used to have a similar set up in my last boat. The interlink box is necessary for the setup of these 2 units as they do not accept the newer style ethernet connection for linking.

[smalliehunter]

It its the hd ci unit. So what your telling me is my graphs will talk to each other? Share way points and what not?

[Larson15]

Yes

[cjac]

First off....... Congrats on the new rig!

I did an overhaul of my electronics last year, and a fair amount of research. Here's my take.

I went with 'bird units and a Terrova i-pilot as you're looking at. I ended up with a 798 HDsi at the console only 'cuz I scored a killer deal on the 798, otherwise I would have went 898, as the bigger screen is worth it when in split screen mode for better reading. Still, it's only 18 inches from your face as your sitting at the wheel. Another option on the console is two units, one 798 HSsi unit and another GPS plotter. That way you have two nice 5" screens and a bigger si read than off a split screen.

On the bow, SI is money ill spent IMO. You need to be going 3-4mph to get an accurate read, and when are you doing that speed on the bow? Next to never as a bass guy. SI is a "search" tool, best applied when scouting at the wheel running the main motor. So I went with a 958 for the extra screen size.

Larson's right, there are really good deals on the 858s out there. If you floor mount the bracket, go 958 for the bigger screen, if you mount it higher on the bow cap with a RAM (extra $100 for the 2" ball that BTW you'll need/want) then an 858 can work just fine. Ethernet cable between the two rocks, and makes for a lot easier rigging.

My $.02, but I'm pleased with what I ended up with. SI technology at the console and screen size up front are the two key points for me. Good luck with your new ride!

[bassNspear]

cjac, now u need a new rig

[Further North]

The 597 and 798 are the same size.

Thanks I wrote that wrong, got interrupted and didn't re-read before I hit"submit": the 597 is less expensive than the 798 and lacks side imaging.