What is Side Imaging? What is Downscan? How do you use it?

[BLACKJACK]

Been thinking about upgrading my depth finder (I currently have the Lowrance 510) reading on this web site amd the pros and cons of different units, and the Hummingbird and Lowrance websites, so many different options to choose from, more expensive as you go up the line, hard to decide whats 'needed' and whats 'nice to have', whats going to help put more fish in the boat, thought I'd start with an explaination of Side Imaging and Downscan - can anybody give a simple explaination of each and how they use it?

Thanks!

[reddog]

BlackJack,

For my personal style of fishing, my units stay on full SI most of the time. There is nothing that DI or 2D can show me that isnt readily readable in SI. The only time my units move from SI, is when I want a slice of GPS screen, and thats all I use, is the narrowest band of gps when fishing. I pitch jigs from the bow most of the time, and this gives me tremendous insight where to cast. Side imaging is also a tremendous tool for finding structure. When you are looking at a known piece of structure, side imaging gives you an intimate look at all the humps, bumps and curves. Kinda like wondering what a woman looks like without..... Well, you get the idea.

Si excells in shallow water also.

Everybody knows the bar on the right side, but not very many ppl know about the little pile 40 feet to the left... but the fish do.

Plus, it rocks for finding fish! (note how many fish are out to the sides, and how many you would see in 2D sonar.(2)

HB DownImaging and Low DownScan are a more precision way of viewing what 2D sonar is telling you. While the coverage area is larger with down viewing than 2D sonar, the primary useage for down imaging is a more refined view of the bottom contours, and more accurate read of the water column. Down Imaging gives you a more traditional view on the screen, but is more detail oriented. What you used to see as an arch in 2d, will look completely different with the higher frequency DI beam. More detailed.

While you can see things to the side when using Down Imaging, I havent figured out where its at in relation to the boat, but its easy to figure out when in SI.

3 way split, SI, DI and 2D

2D and DI verticle jigging last week. While the jig is readily viewable in 2D (larger cone to hit) it is harder to keep the jig in the beam of the 455DI beam because its more of a slice than a cone shape.

The fish that is shown dead center in the DI beam, actually barely shows up "under the bottom" in 2D. This is because I had the 2D set to 83/200, and the wider cone was reading the steep wall/ledge near the boat that I was fishing, and yes, I missed that fish.

I will be the first to admit that I do not have much experience with DI fishing. I was just killing time, looking at new water and decided to try to see if I could keep the jig on the screen.

I dont know if thats what you are asking or not.

If you get a chance, get in a boat and watch it in action, rather than depending on simulator mode in a store.

[BLACKJACK]

Thanks Reddog!!! How are you capturing those images??

Anybody else want to chime in on how you use Side Imaging and Downscan?? Just trying to decide if the purchase price is justified....

[reddog]

You set a menu item to save a screencapture to the auxilliary sd card slot. The other card slot is for mapping chip.

Let me put it to you this way BlackJack.

If you gave me a choice between giving me a new Ranger 621, with an agreement that I would never purchase any electronics with more than 2D sonar and gps at no cost to me. ie: no side imaging equipment forever.

or me buying a used 1988 16 ft MrPike and being able to have my current stable of equipment 997, 1197(or the equivalent) and a 36V 101 Terrova IPilot, Ill be fishing out of the old Lund.... and Im a Crestliner guy!

Only you can know if its justified, but I can tell you another thing. Alot of guys have taken a ride in my boat, with no plans of ever purchasing.... and after seeing it in action, couldnt help themselves. Its an expensive ride.

I'm sending you a PM with more information..

R

[fishersofmen]

Good info reddog!!

[Hoffer]

I am going to purchase a unit this Spring. Thinking of the Humminbird 898.

Just curious. Does the side imaging mainly excel in shallower water - say 15 feet or less...or do you find it works well in deeper water too?

Also, if anyone has the above mentioned unit - how hard or easy is it to learn how to work the GPS functions...waypoints...mapping a trail etc..

I am not very tech savy.

[reddog]

Finding structure is easy in deeper water.. the problem lies in the amount of screen the water column eats up in relation to the overall screen. Here is 45 feet of water with a 103 range. Now, with a software update a few back, you can turn off the water column and increase your side imaging amount on the screen. I havent done that in deep water yet. maybe tomorrow.. to see if there is really an increased amount of bottom showing or just a stretched bottom of the same amount of real estate.

I dont have an 898, but I do have a 997 and an 1197. both have the same exact features.

There are many diffferent places to learn its operation, web, youtube, etc.

I have found them to be very user friendly.. I have owned my units since 08 and both have been bulletproof..

Marking a waypoint on a submerged point 150 feet to the side of the boat..

Paddlefish in SI DI and 2D

Same fish in different color pallete.

My first attempt at tracking a jig (1/4 oz) in 2D and DI

[TruthWalleyes]

BlackJack, When you are looking at a known piece of structure, side imaging gives you an intimate look at all the humps, bumps and curves. Kinda like wondering what a woman looks like without..... Well, you get the idea.

Si excells in shallow water also.

Might be the best explanation yet!!

I'll +1 on all of Reddogs comments above. I'm an HB owner as well and love it. SI puts fish in the boat while others are still searching for an arc.

[low277]

Very good information! So you can actually side scan out 50 - 100 feet on either side of the boat in water that is 15 - 25 feet deep?

If so I need to break open the piggy bank!

[Nick Kuhn]

Very good information! So you can actually side scan out 50 - 100 feet on either side of the boat in water that is 15 - 25 feet deep?

If so I need to break open the piggy bank!

It will go out to 180 feet on either side. The wider you scan though the less detail there is in the image.

[thatoneguy]

reddog - on your second picture, is the view to the left obscured because the 'ducer is blocked partially by your motor or something? I've run into that with my boat, where I need to trim up a bit to get the full picture...I may need to fine-tune the rigging a bit. Awesome pics though!

[reddog]

Wider= More stuff, but smaller

Narrower, less stuff, but bigger.

It all depends on what you want to see.

[reddog]

reddog - on your second picture, is the view to the left obscured because the 'ducer is blocked partially by your motor or something? I've run into that with my boat, where I need to trim up a bit to get the full picture...I may need to fine-tune the rigging a bit. Awesome pics though!

If you mean the second picture in the second set, marking the underwater point, I get that once in a while. Not often, but I can clear it up by taking the motor out of gear and letting the image clear up, and then go again. I dont have to move the motor. I thinks its some kind of airlocked bubble or something, as I dont have to move the motor to clear it up, just allow it to re-establish the reading, and then go on.