522c vs 797c SI - Sonar Comparison

[Dkoy]

Need a little help with this. I recently got a new 522c as a gift. This is my first gps/sonar unit. That side imaging just seems too fun to pass up, so I'm thinking about doing a return and add xtra 300 for a 797.

The questions is, can someone explain their experiences with the regular down sonar with these two. Or how these two match up side by side ~ GPS + Sonar, "excluding the side imaging." Trying to determine if I should just stick with the 522 and put that extra cash into something else.

Just started to mainly fish river walleyes and muskies on the lakes.

I have done a little research but the side imaging usually is discussed more than anything. I do have both navionics and lakemaster chips so thats not really an issue.

[MEGASLAM]

Check out this thread. I ended up going with a lcx27c because of value.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ub...nbi#Post1613134

[fishwater]

The Humminbird 2d is awesome, some new software updates have recently been released that make it even better. They added a TVG (time variable gain) switch for using in deeper water and better lure tracking.

Here's the info as stated by Eddie from Hbird:

"One of the primary advances in the software is the enhanced jig tracking capability. Other advantages are enhanced detail of both structure and fish. There is one main NEW setting in the unit. This new setting is a setting for TVG. Currently our units use TVG. TVG for those that might not know is Time Variable Gain. The great value of Time Variable Gain is that it adjusts sonar returns to compensate for differences in depth. For example if you were fishing with another brand of fishfinder (no names mentioned) they don’t use TVG so if there were a 10 pound bass in 10 foot of water and the same exact 10 pound bass in 50 foot of water the return from the 10 pound bass in 10 foot of water would be much larger and stronger than the 10 pound bass in 50 foot of water because of the differences in depth. With our current software the TVG will make adjustments to the returns to compensate for the different depths and both returns will have the same strength and size. The downside of TVG is that to accomplish the compensation there is some reduction in overall signal strength capability."

[eyebjim]

I have the 797 and love it. I have a X15 lowrance and liked it after all the software upgrades etc that took several years to get operating right. After going to the humminbird I'm not looking back. The SI is great as well as the regular sonar and the GPS is very good. If you can get the 797 for $300+trade that is a steal. If you can swing it get the 997.

[PierBridge]

I had the same dilemma as you. I ended up keeping my 522 mainly because of the Winter season and the ability to use it on Ice. It sure is nice being able to drown out those Marcums...LOL

I will have the Bird some day SOON and if I were you I'd get it.

They only Down-side to the Bird IMO is you can't use the Lake Master Chip in it.

[eyebjim]

I was kind of upset about not being able to use my lakemaster chip on the bird mainly because I like the lakemaster better than the nav my H2O for reasons like zoom cabability and ease of use but the navionics is way easier and zooms as far as you want on the Bird.

[SimilarIsland]

Another thing I like about the Humminbird is that you don't have to tell the unit that the Navionics chip is in. It just knows and loads the area you're using. My H20C has to be told which map to use. Not sure about the 522.

[PerchJerker]

The side imaging and the ability to use LakeMaster chips are likely to be the only noticable differences between those units. Both units have excellent displays and excellent sonars and great GPS performance, I think it'd be hard to give an edge to one or the other.

FYI, the 797 was last year's model, it's been replaced by the 798 for this year which is essentially the same unit plus a few upgrades.

[Dkoy]

I've seen the 522 in action and I like how it displays fishs etc, with nice arcs, not to mention the GPS. In the Hummingbird seems to look more like dashes which will probably take some getting used to, but I have not experienced any Hummingbird units so I could be well off.

I do know that 797 was last years model, but at the discount price, it's hard to pass up. The 798 would be breaking the budget, hard to believe it is only about 200 away.

Overall it seems that the 797 is a stable unit, not really any problems that I have read about. I guess the other question I would have with the 797 is if it can only hold one card, how does it save images? Does it have an internal memory? Or would I have to suffice a navioncs card in for a memory card?

[eyebjim]

If you have the nav chip in you cant save. That is you cant save images. you can still save waypoints. I have the built in navionics so it is no problem. Can you get one with the built in nav for similar deal?

[Dkoy]

Yea, the deal is with the navionic built in, from the readings. From the read, its the 2006, not sure if it has the detailed lakes. The more I read the more I'm thinking about doing this trade. Will definetly stop in a few places to see if I can find a better deal this weekend.

[eyebjim]

You are correct it is only the 2006 nav chip built in. I found it has most of the lakes of the 2008. I did find one lake that I like to go to was not in high def on it but was on the 2008 chip so I got the 2008 chip too and use it only when on that lake.

[reddog]

I believe the 798 has two card slots.

I have an X15 and a 997 on the dash. I use the X15 for gps, and the 997 for SI and a small window of 2d sonar.

I have a 520 on the bow.

I will not part with my 997. never..

[jiggineye]

I guess i'm going to stick with the 522. The 798 just seems way better with the wider screen and two slot, not to mention the 997. Will have to save a few bucks and probably shoot for the 997 later this year or next, that or wait to see what lowrance has to offer. Spent that 300bucks elsewhere with two curado 300's instead at S.W. with their store closing. Got a real good deal.