Humminbird 797 Side Imaging sonar/gps

[MuleShack]

Just wondering if anyone has purchases one of those side imaging locators? either the 5" or the 8" screens....

THey are pretty spendy and was just wondering if they are worth the money and if you can actually see fish on the image? You get the locator and the GPS for the price of a comparable Lowrance (which is my main locator now) then that would put the price of the imaging at around $400 extra.

The retail is $999 i believe.

any insight by anyone that used them or has one please let me know your thoughts.

I think that if you can mark fish on there visually then it would be the cats meow, but if you have to decifer images and decide if it is a fish or a log, then it wouldn't be worth it.

Steve

[blakjack23]

I fished with a Ranger Pro who had the the larger version of the 797, 979 or something, on the boat. I asked him the same thing your asking. He said he loved the unit and the side imaging, but said you can't really see fish, you still have to decipher. You can however see images far away on either side of the boat and mark those spots on the GPS. He said that was a big bonus of the side imaging. From what I hear, if you can get the money for one its worth it.

[katoguy]

I have a 797 and love it. Next boat will have the larger model and the 797 will go to the guy I fish tourneys with. (Possible new boat this spring - may hold off.)

Google side imaging forums. There is a ton if info out there.

[blueroof]

I'm putting a 997si on my boat this winter. From my understanding, it does traditional sonar, plus the sideimaging function to locate structure more easily. I joined the yahoo sideimaging list about 6 months ago, pretty good info and tips for beginners.

LB

[Da Beak]

I've got a 997si on the dash, and a 787 on the bow. you can use the 997 as a conventional sonar or side imaging, or a combination of the 2. I love mine, and won't be going back to "L"

[MuleShack]

The Bat Cave had a "New"/used one for a hair over $800. Nothing had been previously mounted or taken out of packages and unit worked fine in the store after testing in the fishing section. Only thing was missing a $13 power cord...couldn't pass it up

It is now my 2nd locator on the boat...just installed it today.

[Da Beak]

Congrats Steve. I don't think you'll be sorry.