Something new from Hbird?

[Nick Kuhn]

At that price the 1198 is an add on to the 360 imaging system...

[CaptainMusky]

At that price the 1198 is an add on to the 360 imaging system...

Isnt that the truth. LOL

Yeah, the technology advancements in recent years are awesome, but it certainly is getting expensive. The nice thing is you can add it on. So you dont have to swallow the whole cost all at once.

[reddog]

They would be foolish if they didnt eventually offer just the head. The applications for ice fishing are endless. Aslo, think about all the new parts they could add to make your 798,898,998, or 1198 portable for the wheel house.

Im SOL because all my units are not ethernet capable..... and Im alright with that for now.

[MN Mike]

Im SOL because all my units are not ethernet capable..... and Im alright with that for now.

Yep, me too..... But I could have my non HD 798 sold tomorrow if I wanted can't wait to hear the reports and see more about this in the future.

Here's the offical press release.

For Immediate Release

EUFAULA, Ala. - Securing its lead in marine sonar technology, Humminbird® is launching an exclusive sonar accessory that will give anglers detailed 360 degree views.

Humminbird’s 360 Imaging™ provides a complete around-the-boat, underwater image with the same sharp detail anglers have come to know with Side Imaging® technology. With a single sweep, 360 Imaging has the ability to cover a 300-foot diameter circle (70,685 square feet).

“Think of the advantage a tournament angler will have being able to see what’s in front of the boat without spooking the fish,” said Jeff Kolodzinski, brand manager, Humminbird. “Also, for the first time ever, an angler can have their boat in a stationary position and receive updated underwater images from around the entire boat. They could even see bait balls or fish swimming by.”

Anglers have numerous options when viewing 360 Imaging. They can view the entire circle or break it down in segments. For instance, they can select just to see what’s in front, back or either side. Split screen viewing is also available so the image can be displayed with a chart or traditional SwitchFire™ Sonar.

“We are taking a giant leap forward with the most state-of-the-art sonar technology on the market,” said Kolodzinski. “For competitive anglers especially, getting the best image possible of fish location is critical. With 360 Imaging, anglers now have a whole new world opened up for them. Anglers have been asking for this kind of technology for years and now they finally have it.”

The 360 Imaging accessory includes a Transducer Deployment System (TDS) that attaches to the boat transom or jackplate. TDS lowers the transducer below the bottom of the boat and outboard to ensure an unobstructed underwater view. For the sharpest images, 360 Imaging can be used when stationary or trolling up to 7 miles per hour.

This sonar accessory is exclusively compatible with current Humminbird Side Imaging-equipped models that are Ethernet-capable. The suggested retail price of Humminbird’s 360 Imaging is $1,999. Availability is expected later this summer.

Here are some other key features of Humminbird’s 360 Imaging accessory:

•Ability to mark waypoints anywhere on the 360 Imaging screen

•An audio alert is given when the boat nears a waypoint within casting range

•Capable of recording video and screen captures

•Eight color palettes

•Four sonar speed settings

•Specific area can be selected and zoomed in on

[RumRiverRat]

This the latest shot fired in the Sonar Wars.

Amazing concept.

Available to ship August 1st.

Going to run about 2k.

Humminbird® 360 Imaging

360° Imaging rotates and scans areas virtually impossible to touch with other types of sonar

Creates a 300-ft. circle of detection around your boat

Target fish hideouts with surgical precision

Four beam speeds and adjustable 10°-360° sweep areas

Split-screen views with SwitchFire or GPS cartography

Near-silent Transducer Deployment System

Compatible with: 798c, 898c, 998c, 1198c units

Revolutionary 360° Imaging scans underwater places that are virtually impossible to see with conventional sonar. It produces a 150-ft. beam that sweeps in every direction to create a 300-ft. circle of detection around your boat, letting you see fish all around you without moving over them (1.6 acres of total coverage). The imaging beam sweeps the surrounding water and detects fish, underwater structure, rocks, terrain changes and more – helping you target fish hideouts with surgical precision that would remain hidden to other sonar devices. Four beam speeds and adjustable 10°-360° sweep areas let you fine tune the system and isolate specific areas for maximum detail or faster returns. The lower beam speeds scan slower and more thoroughly to produce better-quality images, while the higher beam speeds deliver faster refresh rates. The adjustable sweep area lets you adjust the beam sweep between 10°-360° in any direction, or choose one of four preset sweep settings that scan fore, aft, port or starboard with a 180° arc. Mark important returns with a waypoint and keeping track of productive fishing spots with the GPS on your Humminbird unit (select units only). Split-screen views also let you see 360° imaging with SwitchFire™ sonar or GPS cartography. Adjustable beam sensitivity for adapting to varying water conditions. Choose from eight color palettes for easy viewing. Adjustable image sharpness for clearer resolution in different light conditions. The 360° Imaging Transducer Deployment System silently lowers the transducer below the hull and prop for unobstructed views at every angle. The transducer can be deployed with easy-to-use buttons on the Transducer Deployment System housing or by using the controls on your Humminbird fish finder unit – and it’s adjustable to prevent grounding and fish shallower depths. Requires an Ethernet-ready, Side Imaging®-equipped Humminbird fish finder (not included). Older side imaging units will need a software update.

[bigstick56]

So if I am reading this correct, the new 958 DI unit that I bought a couple days ago will not be able to use this software....I really wish someone would have informed me on this, I should have just gone with the 998....might be doing some upgrading before I even install it on my boat....

[CaptainMusky]

So if I am reading this correct, the new 958 DI unit that I bought a couple days ago will not be able to use this software....I really wish someone would have informed me on this, I should have just gone with the 998....might be doing some upgrading before I even install it on my boat....

Return the one you just bought. Thats what I would do, provided it was bought from a retailer.

[bigstick56]

Yes it was, Still in the box, I think that is what I am going to do in preperation for the new 360....pretty pumped for this to get on the shelves...

[CJH]

Would love to see this in an ice fishing application - once they get the price down!

[CaptainMusky]

True, the price now is high. But if you think about it for open water applications and then ice fishing, it brings the cost down a bit. Use that bad boy year around!

But, I would be worried how it would stand up to cold. We will see.

"Down periscope" LOL

[reddog]

So if I am reading this correct, the new 958 DI unit that I bought a couple days ago will not be able to use this software....I really wish someone would have informed me on this, I should have just gone with the 998....might be doing some upgrading before I even install it on my boat....

No one could have told you before your purchase, as it was just released yesterday. A 998 and a 360 module is considerably larger investment than the 958DI.

Myself, I'm not ready to commit, primarly because I dont want that apparatus hanging on the back of my boat.(and my units currently arent ethernet capable) I'm pretty sure they could rigged a simpler deployment system, or just marketed a stand alone 360 transducer and let the end user figure out how to deploy it. I'm guessing that there truly wasnt alot of R&D needed to make the rotating crystals inside the weed wacker head, but they didnt want to offer a piece like this for a couple of benjamins, so they added in the Talon like deployment system to get the price up.

[Fish Head]

All I can say is wow. The technology is advancing so fast, but the price tags for all this continues to climb too. I just purchased a new 798 for my bow a couple months ago, and I'm planning on picking up a 998 for the dash before open water. I don't think I'm ready to commit to the 360 yet.

What’s next... a flux capacitor?

[CAMAN]

Would love to see this in an ice fishing application - once they get the price down!

And that transducer to a manageable size!

[CAMAN]

Check these out!

And this..

And this..

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Love the concept, but hate the clunkiness factor. Heck, you may as well use the mount to tow skiers, it's that bad IMO. Would be way cool on your trolling motor instead, or maybe a manual flip down bracket like the old Lowrance green box transducer mount from Lindy. Something for less money so more of us little guys can get into it. Make more money on volume sales then catering to the deep pocket crowd.

I'm sure other options will surface as this progresses over the next few years.