Hummingbird's Side Imaging

jasonfish320 · 01-24-08, 01:01 PM

Hey Gang,

I am in the market for upgrading from an older X65 lowrance to the new hummingbird 979 c2si unit, from what I've read I definitely want the chip capable unit for upgrades and such. Has anyone used the new technology yet? I met a guy in a tourney who had one..he didn't do well, but he also said he hadn't figured it out yet and spent most of the day with his eyes glued on the thing (I think if I spent that much $$ on a fishfinder I would study the manual a bit) his side image pics however were amazing!! I'm only thinking of buying one because the company I work with can get 40% off

humminbird, but only til March. I think I would be stupid to pass this up..what's your thoughts...love to hear from anyone who is using the side imaging technology...

barkelypup · 01-24-08, 02:13 PM

Hey,
I have one of the 797 side imaging units. I like it a lot or at least what I have been able to figure out of it. It is pretty complicated and the manual isn't that good. Who needs manuals anyway right? The neatest thing about it is you can move the cursor to the structure you are looking at and tell exactly how far from the boat it is. First time I used it was at KY Dam village and there was a sunken boat there that you could see exactly what it was. Appeared to be some type of run about. Also things like the cables and wires run underneath the Marina. Pretty cool and at 40% off you can't go wrong. Make sure you get the ones with the hotmaps because they are very accurate on the topos that they have. Only problem I have had is tranducer placement. To get it to work at high speed it throws water back into my boat. Not a lot but enough to anoy me. But I don't fish out of a true bass boat. It is Monark 195 King and the hull on it is more V shaped. I make due though.

I give it an A++++++++++++++.

BP

bassnman30 · 01-24-08, 03:58 PM

1. You can't run wide open and expect to see everything.
2. You must install the depth finder on the out side.

lunker-lander · 01-24-08, 04:40 PM

For the best technology in the fishing world, and at 40% off, I think it would be dumb not to upgrade. I saw it on Hank Parkers Outdoor Magazine and the pictures it produced were amazing!

-Lunk-

barkelypup · 01-24-08, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnman30

1. You can't run wide open and expect to see everything.
2. You must install the depth finder on the out side.

No No maybe I wasn't clear if so my bad. In order to get the thing to work as a flasher, was not talking about using the side scan at high speeds, (about 4 mph is optimal speed for side scan) Just in order to get it to work as a flasher. In the place that is suggested in the instructions it sprays water back in my boat. The transducer on this unit is very large, you may have one though. When I moved it to try to get the spray to lay down I am getting a lot of churn or air bubbles. I am just curious what do you mean by insalling depth finder on the out side? Ohh yeah and one more thing. At 40% off I would consider buying a few of them for ebay. Just a thought though.

Thanks,
BP

Bob Smith · 01-24-08, 07:16 PM

My neighbor is a deputy with the county Sheriff's department and that's the unit they have on the county department boat. They used it last year to locate a drowning victim with amazing clarity He is getting one to put on his Skeeter, but the only downside is that you Have to put the skimmer style transducer on the outside to be able to achieve the side scanning feature. I hate drilling holes in my transom and I think you have to go all the way down under the "setback" or "offset" on high performance boats. If you fish a lot of timber filled lakes and tend to knock the thing out of position, that could quickly become a real pain in the arse!

lunker-lander · 01-24-08, 10:35 PM

Good point, Bob! I wouldn't have the balls to take a Skeeter in less than 5' though!

-Lunk-

barkelypup · 01-24-08, 10:43 PM

It goes directly on the back of the boat and is designed as is most Newer Humminbird transducers to break away when or if it comes in contact with anything. that was also a problem I was having with mine. It would break away because it was dragging so much water.

BP

bassinbob · 01-25-08, 12:00 AM

Bob, I am a vol. fire fighter. I live in a town along a river. I have often thought about getting one of these units to help locate drowning victims. As for now we just drag the bottom hoping to locate a victim. I will make it a point to bring this matter up to the body for consideration. It is very hard to be unable to locate someone's loved one as they wait along the river bank. Having one of these units will undoubtly shorten the wait for the victim's family and loved ones.

Bob Smith · 01-25-08, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassinbob

Bob, I am a vol. fire fighter. I live in a town along a river. I have often thought about getting one of these units to help locate drowning victims. As for now we just drag the bottom hoping to locate a victim. I will make it a point to bring this matter up to the body for consideration. It is very hard to be unable to locate someone's loved one as they wait along the river bank. Having one of these units will undoubtly shorten the wait for the victim's family and loved ones.

Bob, tell them to contact the Bartow County Sheriff's Department in Georgia. I don't have the number handy but it should be in the 770 area code. My neighbor said the image is unmistakable!

jasonfish320 · 01-25-08, 09:09 AM

Thanks guys, I'm not too worried about installing it on the outside of the transom, that's where the current lowrance is installed so I'll just end up replacing the transducer in the same spot...Berk-I would love to pick up a few more, but we are only allowed to purchase up to $1500 worth of retail..so if I get the finder at MSRP of $1199 I won't be able to get a whole lot more, but am thinking of buying the additional platinum hotmaps software package--This will atleast give me something to do until the ice thaws..

barkelypup · 01-25-08, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonfish320

Thanks guys, I'm not too worried about installing it on the outside of the transom, that's where the current lowrance is installed so I'll just end up replacing the transducer in the same spot...Berk-I would love to pick up a few more, but we are only allowed to purchase up to $1500 worth of retail..so if I get the finder at MSRP of $1199 I won't be able to get a whole lot more, but am thinking of buying the additional platinum hotmaps software package--This will atleast give me something to do until the ice thaws..

Maybe you could talk one of your coworkers who are not going to buy anyhting to pick it up for you and you pay for it. Those things are hot right now and if somebody can pick one up on ebay for 20% less they will jump on it. Just a thought. I would def. get one though.

BP

01-24-08, 01:01 PM	#1
jasonfish320 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MAINEIAC Posts: 585	Hummingbird's Side Imaging Hey Gang, I am in the market for upgrading from an older X65 lowrance to the new hummingbird 979 c2si unit, from what I've read I definitely want the chip capable unit for upgrades and such. Has anyone used the new technology yet? I met a guy in a tourney who had one..he didn't do well, but he also said he hadn't figured it out yet and spent most of the day with his eyes glued on the thing (I think if I spent that much $$ on a fishfinder I would study the manual a bit) his side image pics however were amazing!! I'm only thinking of buying one because the company I work with can get 40% off humminbird, but only til March. I think I would be stupid to pass this up..what's your thoughts...love to hear from anyone who is using the side imaging technology... __________________ "If at first you don't succeed; have another beer"

01-24-08, 02:13 PM	#2
barkelypup BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: I'm a Hillbilly in Kentucky Posts: 223	Heck yeah Hey, I have one of the 797 side imaging units. I like it a lot or at least what I have been able to figure out of it. It is pretty complicated and the manual isn't that good. Who needs manuals anyway right? The neatest thing about it is you can move the cursor to the structure you are looking at and tell exactly how far from the boat it is. First time I used it was at KY Dam village and there was a sunken boat there that you could see exactly what it was. Appeared to be some type of run about. Also things like the cables and wires run underneath the Marina. Pretty cool and at 40% off you can't go wrong. Make sure you get the ones with the hotmaps because they are very accurate on the topos that they have. Only problem I have had is tranducer placement. To get it to work at high speed it throws water back into my boat. Not a lot but enough to anoy me. But I don't fish out of a true bass boat. It is Monark 195 King and the hull on it is more V shaped. I make due though. I give it an A++++++++++++++. BP

01-24-08, 03:58 PM	#3
bassnman30 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lexington,NC-Worlds best BBQ. Posts: 1,945	1. You can't run wide open and expect to see everything. 2. You must install the depth finder on the out side. __________________ Lexington,NC.

01-24-08, 04:40 PM	#4
lunker-lander BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,628	For the best technology in the fishing world, and at 40% off, I think it would be dumb not to upgrade. I saw it on Hank Parkers Outdoor Magazine and the pictures it produced were amazing! -Lunk- __________________ I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!

01-24-08, 07:16 PM	#6
Bob Smith BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 1,472	My neighbor is a deputy with the county Sheriff's department and that's the unit they have on the county department boat. They used it last year to locate a drowning victim with amazing clarity He is getting one to put on his Skeeter, but the only downside is that you Have to put the skimmer style transducer on the outside to be able to achieve the side scanning feature. I hate drilling holes in my transom and I think you have to go all the way down under the "setback" or "offset" on high performance boats. If you fish a lot of timber filled lakes and tend to knock the thing out of position, that could quickly become a real pain in the arse! __________________ Bob Smith a.k.a. "Porko" (vintage Strike King variety!)

01-24-08, 10:35 PM	#7
lunker-lander BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,628	Good point, Bob! I wouldn't have the balls to take a Skeeter in less than 5' though! -Lunk- __________________ I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!

01-24-08, 10:43 PM	#8
barkelypup BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: I'm a Hillbilly in Kentucky Posts: 223	It goes directly on the back of the boat and is designed as is most Newer Humminbird transducers to break away when or if it comes in contact with anything. that was also a problem I was having with mine. It would break away because it was dragging so much water. BP

01-25-08, 12:00 AM	#9
bassinbob BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Pitts. Pa. Posts: 3,801	Bob, I am a vol. fire fighter. I live in a town along a river. I have often thought about getting one of these units to help locate drowning victims. As for now we just drag the bottom hoping to locate a victim. I will make it a point to bring this matter up to the body for consideration. It is very hard to be unable to locate someone's loved one as they wait along the river bank. Having one of these units will undoubtly shorten the wait for the victim's family and loved ones. __________________ you can have my fishin rod when ya take it from my cold dead hands

01-25-08, 09:09 AM	#11
jasonfish320 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MAINEIAC Posts: 585	Thanks guys, I'm not too worried about installing it on the outside of the transom, that's where the current lowrance is installed so I'll just end up replacing the transducer in the same spot...Berk-I would love to pick up a few more, but we are only allowed to purchase up to $1500 worth of retail..so if I get the finder at MSRP of $1199 I won't be able to get a whole lot more, but am thinking of buying the additional platinum hotmaps software package--This will atleast give me something to do until the ice thaws.. __________________ "If at first you don't succeed; have another beer"

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