Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo Fishfinder and GPS (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

[MidCoast]

I am thinking about purchasing the Hummingbird 798ci HD SI Combo Fishfinder and GPS. There are some great sales going on right now for it. However, before I buy, I am wondering why it is being Discontinued by the manufacturer? Was it not a good model? Seems kind of fishy.

[delcecchi]

I am thinking about purchasing the Hummingbird 798ci HD SI Combo Fishfinder and GPS. There are some great sales going on right now for it. However, before I buy, I am wondering why it is being Discontinued by the manufacturer? Was it not a good model? Seems kind of fishy.

It seems like typically this kind of product has a short life for each model. A year or two and a different model that is quite similar is introduced and the older one is discontinued. Sort of like phones in that regard.

[MN Mike]

I bought my 798c SI 5 years ago, it's been a great unit, no problems at all.

If you want to get into a SI cheap, this is a great opportunity to do so, Humminbirds are reliable, no reason to worry.

Sounds like the 798 is replaced by the 698. Humminbird had a 598 last year, didn't look much different than a 798 in specs but the 598 is discontinued now too.

Mike

[MidCoast]

Thank you for the replies.

Does anybody know which Navonic Card I should get to go with it to show contour lines?

[Brad B]

Thank you for the replies.

Does anybody know which Navonic Card I should get to go with it to show contour lines?

the Navionics card will work with the 798 but if you ever plan to get I pilot link you would need the Lake master chip. as was stated before the 500 and 700 series is now discontinued and replaced by the 600 series. the bad part of the 600 series is that it is not ethernet capable. the are a few non color 500 series models that are still being made. now to get ethernet capable unit you would need to get one of the new 800, 900, or 1100, or Onyx series or buy one of the discontinued 700 or higher series(last year was models like 898, 998 the new ones are now the 859,899,959, 999, 1159 or 1199 models).

[MN Mike]

Brad brings up some good points!

A buddy of mine bought a 798 a couple years ago, I think he ended up getting the Navionics Hot Maps Premium North ( something like that ), it cost his around $150.

I run a Navionics in my 798 but my card is older, its from 2007 and it's called Lake of the Woods + 2k, it's served me well for what I've needed.

Mike

[h8go4s]

Both Navionics and Lakemaster cards will work but Lakemaster is the only one that will work with Ipilot Link. If you only fish Minnesota (no clue where you live) I'd recommend Lakemaster. You get more Minnesota lakes that way. Go to both websites and compare the lake lists for the card you need.

[leech~~]

I am thinking about purchasing the Hummingbird 798ci HD SI Combo Fishfinder and GPS. There are some great sales going on right now for it. However, before I buy, I am wondering why it is being Discontinued by the manufacturer? Was it not a good model? Seems kind of fishy.

Do some web review searches on it. Some times you will find trends with products that stick out. I was already to buy one brand and found out people were having all kinds of GPS position issues with the internal antenna.

[Fish Tales]

I am also looking at buying the 798 HD . I have the I-pilot link but need a little help on understanding the hook up. Can I just hook up to my link and I am ready to go. I also want to use when running at high speeds so can I hook up the ducer that comes with 798 to transom and switch back and forth between front and back?

[BartmanMN]

The way I understand it, iPlilot link controls your trolling motor off the contour lines provided on the lake master chip and not the actual depth reading provided by the transducer on the trolling motor, so it doesn't matter if you have it connected to the transducer on the trolling motor or transom. You can purchase a switch to go between the two transducers if you'd like.

[Fish Tales]

Thanks for the help I think I might have stated the question wrong. I have the ducer in my I-pilot i dont have the link but You gave me the info I needed. I can use the 798 in both ducers.

[h8go4s]

Thanks for the help I think I might have stated the question wrong. I have the ducer in my I-pilot i dont have the link but You gave me the info I needed. I can use the 798 in both ducers.

The US2 transducer built into the trolling motor (if that is what you are talking about) is only a 2d transducer. It will only give you conventional 2d sonar, not SI or DI. Just so you know.

[Fish Tales]

Thanks that is what I was thinking but you confirmed it. Options for si di in front and back would be a second ducer? With my v2 it probably isnt cost effective but, is that an option and how much more would that cost?