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Humminbird SI


JoeTC

Question

I'm looking at getting a new sonar/gps unit for my boat and was wondering if anybody has had any experience with the humminbird units and specifically with the side imaging function. I have lowrance electronics now and would just get another one but I really am fascinated with the side imaging. Does it work well and help out or does it just look cool?

Thanks,

Joe

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I really like the SI. I can cruise into a bay I've never fished before, lay waypoints on weedbeds, structure, etc., and rule out acres of unproductive water very quickly.

I keep thinking of one bay on the Lower Manitou that was probably about 100 acres or so. Never fished it before. I cruised right down the middle, found the only weedbed, and caught a slew of nice northerns. Only about 5% of this bay had weeds and that's the only place in that bay we caught fish. I didn't have to waste a bunch of time trolling over the whold bay to rule out water.

I can see if you're a "Walleye Guy" it may not help as much. I mostly fish for Largemouth here and Smallies and Northern up there.

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I don't want to start a Lowrance vs Hummingbird argument here but I can tell you that in the last 3 years we've seen more and more guys switching to Hummingbird. We've also experienced a much lower warranty failure rate with the Hummingbirds and when we do have a problem they are much better to deal with. The only complaint with the SI is that the large transducer tends to create a rooster tail depending on how it is mounted. I know some people avoid this by using two transducers. The SI transducer is above the waterline when on plane.

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I have both lowrance and humminbird on my boat. There are many things I like on both of them. The side imaging is outstanding and even if you are a "walleye guy" there are many things that will benifit you. I pick up huge schools of walleyes when I am out looking for isolated structure that would hold bass. The unit will also easly id transition areas with out being over the top of them. It is a bummer that they dont take the lake master chip but give it time, and dont be afraid of navionics you can listen to a lot of minnesotans say lakemaster is better but till you run them side by side you dont know the differance. There are certian reefs on mille lacs that are better on lake master and the next is better on navionics. If you are looking at SI unit go for the 997 of bigger. The added power makes a huge differnce when lookint at weed beds or under docks, i have the 797si but wish i had more power and yes installing two transducers if recomended one for si and one for high speed with a switch to go back and forth.

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This last summer, I bought a used boat(not very but its a 2007). The boat was a very good deal, but had Humminbird finders on it. I almost didnt buy the boat because of that reason. I have always been a die hard Lowrance fan. its all I have ever owned for summer fishing units.

Anyway, I cant believe I lived without SI as long as I did. As SimilarIsland states, you can cut down on your searching time... And Northlander states that Bass dudes who shore fish love em.. Well, I am an off shore bass dude, and I love it even more.. I dont see how a walleye guy wouldnt like it. You can find off shore rock areas, and be able to see bottom transistions without having to be right over the top..

I thought I was going to be disapointed in the graph part of it, as you have always been told how much better Lowrance is.. Not true, the Bird has kept me quite happy..

I have a 997 and a 987 on my boat..

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I don't understand why it would be better for bass fishing near shore. Wouldn't it be better in deeper water where you can't see any of the structure? Also how does the internal gps work? I know people have problems sometimes with the internal gps on the lowrance units.

Thanks,

Joe

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how does the internal gps work? I know people have problems sometimes with the internal gps on the lowrance units.

I haven't heard of any issues with the Humminbird internal GPS units specifically. I have a 997 with an external antennae, never had an issue either. I have heard some folks aren't completely happy with the Humminbirds boat icon refresh rate (1/s) - the GPS is spot on, but the boat icon is slow to respond to show quick directional changes. I don't have an issue with the icon refresh personally. The SI is awesome stuff. Once you get the hang of reading the display and setting it up for the waters you fish, it really lets you see what is under the water..

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LOL, I have a bigger problem in that my boat is 20' long and the puck is in the back of the boat.. so depending on wind, I can be off by 40' with the unit being perfect!!!!

as for the refresh rate.. I was not wanting to like the Bird.. I wanted to hate it, and use the money I saved on buying the boat to purchase Lowrance units...

And I still say, I will be a dead man if you think you can pry the 997 from my hands!!!!

as rude as this sounds, I love the technology!!!!!!! LOVE IT, and also love the fact that its almost 2K... because many people can not and will not put it on their boat.. I want that advantage!!!!

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Ok ok the SI is a good tool even for walleye guys. I just didnt think I needed it and I got a steal on my 957c ($450).

I also was a Lowrance guys for years but I tel ya what my Bird is very accurate and the detail of the pic is awesome. I wouldnt hesitate one bit to buy any of the new birds. In my opinion they are a lot more bang for the buck. The 3D view is crazy cool.

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On a bit of a side note, I hear that Humminbird is coming out with a "puck" that's accurate up to 3'. If that's the case, I'll have to put one at the front and one at the back because of the reasons you just mentioned..................

How sweet though................... smile

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Just went by BP to check it out in the catalog. I'm a bit confused. They have the old 16 satellite antenna ~$125 (10 meter acuracy), a "New" 50 satellite antenna ~$150 (2.5 meters accuracy), and a "New" satellite antenna ~$200 (doesn't say accuracy). The two "new" antennas aren't the same part number. The $200 antenna is part number 21-532-339-00. If this one is accurate to one yard, I'll gladly pay the extra $50, but I don't know.

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GR-16 older pre 09 units

GR-50 standard with new 700, 900 and 1000 units

GR-HA optional High Accuracy module.

The GR16, GR50 and GRHA all look similar but have different artwork on the top of the housing.

GR16 states: “GPS ACCESSORY SYSTEM” under the “HUMMINBIRD”

GR50 states: “AS-GR50 GPS MODULE” under the “HUMMINBIRD”

GRHA states: “AS-GRHA HIGH ACCURACY GPS” under the “HUMMINBIRD”

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