Hummingbird side imaging?

[weld1]

Is there anyone out there that has one? do they/you like it? what are the main differances in all the different models? some are 1100.00 and others 2000.00 range, but dont see much differance?? thanks for any help!

[reddog]

I have one, (997 C Si) and wont ever be without one again.

I dont know the differences in the particular units, but I'm sure someone does.

Definitly worth the money to me.

[SimilarIsland]

The difference is mainly the screen size. The 1100 series (~$3000)also has some extra bells and whistles including video out.

PS If you search, use "Humminbird", not "Hummingbird"

[Nick Kuhn]

I believe the 797 is half the power of the 997 and 1197. Otherwise it's mostly screen size, which is a rip-off because even large LCD panels and the circuitry to drive them aren't all that expensive (I mean my 22" monitor and the graphics card cost a combined $500).

I think it'd be nice to replace the stock unit on our boat, but really the technology needs to come down in price. It would be nice if the starting price point were $500 but they're making big bucks on those units right now, with no competition.

[Ed Carlson]

The new models are beyond sweet!

Screen clarity, user menus, ease of use are all far better. Better mapping interface with the platinum 3-D.

The new models are really something to see.

[weld1]

Thanks for the info guys! i will have alot more studying to do! are they easy to read and figure out the side image part? can a person also use the lakemaster/navaioncis (sp) chips for lake depth in them also? thanks again!

[Da Beak]

Weld,

The Birds can only use the Navionics chips. But they work great. I have a 997SI and a 787 on my boat and I love them! I used to be a diehard Lowrance guy, but since I bought the Humminbirds, I'm not looking back.

The SI isn't as hard to get used to as some might tell you. There is a Side Imaging Forum out there that has a lot of great information on it. Just google it up. It should answer all of your questions.

[weld1]

Thanks for the info Da Beak, does the side imaging work good in lakes with only 9 to 10 feet of depth?

[reddog]

Personaly, I wouldnt buy anything less than a 997, if Side imaging is important to you, but thats just my opinion. For 2D and gps, the 797 is fine, but in order to truly optimize/interpret the side imaging data,( perticularly fish) you need screen size.

[reddog]

The new models are beyond sweet!

Screen clarity, user menus, ease of use are all far better. Better mapping interface with the platinum 3-D.

The new models are really something to see.

Ed, I have a 08, 997, What could I expect to be different in the new models from last years models... Just curious.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have a 997 and love it..

[fishwater]

Personaly, I wouldnt buy anything less than a 997, if Side imaging is important to you, but thats just my opinion.

I wouldn't hesitate to get a new 700 series if you don't have the spare 1K. They have the highest pixel count per inch of any of the models and can show the SI very well IMO.

[eyebjim]

I have a 797si and often use it in 5-10 fow. It is great for locating rocks weeds and fish shallow.

[Central Bassman]

Can you see good weedlines?? the cuts and points in the weedlines??? with SI

[SimilarIsland]

Yep! And you can see a log laying beside some weeds with a rock pile next to it - under a dock.......

[PierBridge]

The Hummingbird 798 SI combo is about $900... tough to beat that unit and price.

[reddog]

Can you see good weedlines?? the cuts and points in the weedlines??? with SI

definitly, not only can you see the weedline, you see the weeds.

it also give you a very good view of texture differences in the bottom, like the transision between mud and sand, (soft to hard) that you will verify with the color 2d sonar.

Heres a side image view of a saddleback ridge, with 4 fish on the left hand side.

Heres the same view, in 2D sonar. with the same fish.

Having the sideimaging allows you to skirt the exact edge of the ridge ( or weedlines) on trolling passes.. I know of one guy, that live bait rigs alot, who will scan the weedline on a trolling pass first, and lay out a series of waypoints on the points of the weedlines and then go back and between the side image and the waypoints telling him exactly where the tips of the weedpoints are. This keeps his baits in the water longer and clearer of weeds.

It will also show you intricate bottom details that hold fish that are too small for recognition or even concepts on conventional 2d sonar, like this little channel that is shown in the conventional 2D sonar ( on the left) between the 1 in 12:10 clock and the m in mph.

What is just a blip, in conventional sonar, actually shows up as a very important piece of structure.

If side imaging has told me nothing else, it has shown me that what I used to consider structure and what fish consider structure are (were) 2 different things. Not any more!

[Deitz Dittrich]

That last pict is just plain cool.. Wow...

[Ed Carlson]

I tell ya, as a "River Rat", the new side imaging gives me a woody.

[dudewheresmyboat]

please stop talking about this topic guys! Your killing me, I can't wait til I have mine installed on the boat and all the ice goes byebye!!!!!!

[reddog]

Hopefully, I'll have more images when I get back on Sunday. Weather permitting.....

[Deitz Dittrich]

reddog-Quit dude, your making me sad! My boat will not see what for a few more months.

On a side note i do need to figure out how to save an image and post on the web, I have found some pretty cool things with my SI.

[taw]

I am on the Humminbird pro staff. The 08 units and 09 units have one hardware update which is the addition of a 50 channel GPS receiver which is a change from the 16 channel receiver in 08. Other then software updates and the one hardware update listed above, no changes were made in 09.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Taw- if we have a 07' unit can we get the softwear updates to get the new reciever?

[taw]

The 50 channel antennae is a drop in external antennae so as long as you are running the most currnt software rev for your unit, the antennae is a replacement for your current antennae. If you have an internal antennae you will have to add the GR-50 as an external antennae. Part number is AS-GR-50 for a suggested retail of $149.99. Guaranteed accuracy of 2.5 meters with instant lock and stronger lock then the GR-16 from 2008 or GR-12 from 2007. 2009 models have the 50 channel antennae included from the factory.

Humminbird also offers a high accuracy GPS antennae with 1 meter accuracy for $199.99 which is a drop in(no software upgrade) improvement.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Thanks for the information Taw