Any experience with the humminbird 899

[Dooley87]

My grandfather is buying a new boat, he has it ordered and is picking up the electronics for it now while it's being built, he's buying a terrova trolling motor with the I pilot link, he wants a good unit to link to the motor, it looks like the 899 has everything a guy could want (side scan, down scan, standard sonar, gps, radar, 360 capability) without getting into the $1000 price range.

He has heard bad reviews saying it only works above 2mph, any less and the picture is distorted, any positive or negative reviews?

[Savage Brewer]

In my experience with both HB and Lowrance units with DI & SI that images work best when going between 2 and 5 mph.

Any slower and it returns the bottom just fine, it is just a little bit harder to read the images.

So does it work below 2mph, yes, but is the image harder to read or understand, yes.

[JohnMickish]

Have him do aa you tube search on Humminbird side imaging. That will show him what its all capable of.

[Dooley87]

In my experience with both HB and Lowrance units with DI & SI that images work best when going between 2 and 5 mph.

Any slower and it returns the bottom just fine, it is just a little bit harder to read the images.

So does it work below 2mph, yes, but is the image harder to read or understand, yes.

So it's the side/ down imaging feature that isn't as accurate with the images at slow speeds and not that unit. We are both new to side imaging/ down imaging.

Does anyone have an 899 or have experience with one? Would you recommend it?

[TSchultz]

The blurred or warped images with si at slow speeds or standing still is a function of the technology and how it works not a problem with the unit itself. You will see the exact same thing no matter who makes it, even $20,000 commercial systems.

[FshBloodRiverMud]

Everything is accurate at any speed.

Difficulty intrepreting the image goes up when you are not matching the chart speed to the GPS speed.

Spend some time on BBC learning how intrepret your SI and DI images.

[Dooley87]

Yes understood, back to my second question I posted. Does anyone have any experience with the 899 and would they recommend it?

[FshBloodRiverMud]

Pretty sure the only difference is internal GPS.

I'd rather have an external as they are extremely accurate.

Never understood why they came out with a 99.

[MikeG3Boat]

I believe the new models with 99 are mainly just marketing so they have new products almost every year. I love my humminbird 1198 just so much to learn.

[Sorgy]

I am new to the Humminbird line this year. I have a 998C HD SI. From my reasearch on BBC I found that in both DI and SI you have to set the scroll speed to match your speed. If you are running .7 mph on a drift and you set your scroll speed to 1 you should get decent scans. If you are trolling 4 mph set your DI scroll speed to 4.

Right out of the box I was getting fantastic images. The 899 is a 7" screen vs my 998 that is 8". I think that the detail is hard at times to see on an 8" screen. If I take screenshots and view them on my computer they are incredible.

Get the largest screen you can get. The new units(2014) all have internal GPS but they refresh at a faster rate than the 2013 units. I think the gps takes 10 readings per second vs 6.

Good Luck

Steve

[Dooley87]

Thanks, I agree that the bigger the screen the better but I know for a fact he doesn't want to spend $1800 on an 1198 just for a larger screen, especially since he just spent 22,000 on the boat and 1,800 on the trolling motor. In my opinion after spending all that money on the boat an extra grand on the large screen would be a drop in the bucket but it isn't my money so that's his call.

Is the extra inch you get out of the 999 vs the 899 worth the extra $500? Seems a bit pricey for a tad bit larger screen

[magicstix]

If I'm not mistaken the 899 comes with the compact ducer now, you need to get 999 and above to get HDSI ducer which will produce a little better images. You can upgrade to HDSI at time of purchase. Otherwise it's a good unit.

Myself I'd jump to the 999 for the larger screen and HDSI. Good luck and enjoy the new toy.

[walleye34]

I bought a 899 with DI not SI and the terrova link this spring with my new boat...love it. I bought a full windshield boat this time around after being a backtroller guy and I dont know if I could go back. I never leave the drivers seat now. with kids the I-link is amazing. the follow the contour allows me to rebait, unhook, untangle the kids without sending the boat in circles. Spot lock is incredible, I have not used my anchor yet this year. Opener on Red Lake is was holding me perfect in 2-3 ft rollers.

I would reccommend the 899 so far no issues, very easy to operate. I bought the ram X grip mount to hold my I-link remote, it's a little big to wear around your neck. I think the 899 is the cheapest hummingbird that will run the i-link. I debated on the 999 for the extra 1" bigger screen but so far the 7" is just fine even when running dual screen mode in my console boat where you are closer to the screen. bieng a lifelong lowrance guy I was worried going hummingbird but had to to get the I-link. After the first 2 months I like my bird better. Just my opinion not trying to start a holy war over lowrance vs hummingbird. But in my opinion the bird was easier to figure out and operate. Just my opinion.

[FshBloodRiverMud]

I've had the 898 for several years. For several years I wish I had the 1198.

Buy what you can afford and then a little more

[Dooley87]

bieng a lifelong lowrance guy I was worried going hummingbird but had to to get the I-link. After the first 2 months I like my bird better. Just my opinion not trying to start a holy war over lowrance vs hummingbird. But in my opinion the bird was easier to figure out and operate. Just my opinion.

My grandpa has always ran lowrance as well so when I explained to him the I pilot links features such as spot lock and follow the contour he agreed he had to have it, when I explained he had to run a humminbird with that motor he was hesitant but after showing him the 899 online and one on display he was amazed at all the features and the definition for the price, I think after this unit he will turn into a humminbird guy as well.

I think spot lock was designed just for him lol, other fisherman can always tell when he's rigging because he can only focus on one thing and forgets about the trolling motor, I usually just stop fishing and wait for his reaction when he realizes we are spinning around lol.

[delcecchi]

My grandpa has always ran lowrance as well so when I explained to him the I pilot links features such as spot lock and follow the contour he agreed he had to have it, when I explained he had to run a humminbird with that motor he was hesitant but after showing him the 899 online and one on display he was amazed at all the features and the definition for the price, I think after this unit he will turn into a humminbird guy as well.

I think spot lock was designed just for him lol, other fisherman can always tell when he's rigging because he can only focus on one thing and forgets about the trolling motor, I usually just stop fishing and wait for his reaction when he realizes we are spinning around lol.

Spot lock does not require bird. follow contour does.

[Dooley87]

Yup we are going to mount the terrova on his current boat until his new one arrives in 8 weeks for the spot lock feature, follow the contour is a feature he wants in his new boat though, can't tell you how many times we've been on a good bite then we get blown up onto the bar and spook the fish.

[polarsusd81]

I installed the 859DI on my boat a few weeks back. Does not have the SI or 360 capabilities but in other aspects the same unit. Using down imaging you can clearly understand everything going on under the boat, or at least if you know how to interpret the signals. My boat only tops out at about 19 mph (14' lund with a 15 on it) but at full throttle I can clearly read what is down there and have even been able to spot schools of baitfish in open water at full speed. You can even see if you have broad leaf weeds vs wispy stuff if set up right. I am planning to get a new boat either next year or the year after and the 859 will go on the bow and will likely have a 999 on the dash along with an iPilot link Terrova. It is astonishing how well the system works together.

[Jmnhunter]

dooley, i just hooked up my 899 SI this past weekend and tested it last night and really like it so far. I had the 798 before and upgraded to a bigger screen. It locks onto GPS really fast, and the SI res is better too. did not lose any depth reading (my max is 29-30mph), teamed up with the lakemaster chip and its awesome!

[JoeMX1825]

If I'm not mistaken the 899 comes with the compact ducer now, you need to get 999 and above to get HDSI ducer which will produce a little better images. You can upgrade to HDSI at time of purchase. Otherwise it's a good unit.

Myself I'd jump to the 999 for the larger screen and HDSI. Good luck and enjoy the new toy.

This is the biggest point lost on those who are thinking between the 899 & 999, the HDSI ducer makes a huge difference. If you look online you can find the 999SI new for around $1,200, screen size vs footprint is the biggest factor in my decision making, that's why i'm going to purchase a 999. The 1199 is great, but I don't want a flat screen TV on my console...

[ameyers41]

I've owned a 798 and now a 999. When I bought the 999, my buddy bought the 899. The screen size plays a big factor, especially between the 798 and the bigger models. Not as big of a deal between the 899 and 999, but I would always say buy the biggest you can afford. My 798 and buddy's 899 run the compact. The 999 runs the HDSI transducer. There is a noticable difference, but if you're new to SI, the 899 is better than no side imaging at all. You can still find fish.

Bottom line is know the differences, know your budget and buy the biggest you can afford. If you buy the 899, I believe you can exchange to the HDSI for something like $70 if the transducer is still new and not previously installed, so you could consider that too.

[Brad B]

Dooley87,

I have the 899 and really like it. it pairs well with the I Pilot Link. if you are around the cold spring area in the coming weeks and would like to see the unit in person and the on the water send me a PM and we can set up a time I can bring my boat up to cold springs and take you out on the water to check it out.