Side Imaging

[TCook]

   For those of you who used the side imaging units last year, how did this technology help you? Did you have more success than previous years because of the SI unit? To me it seems like a huge advantage, and the guys that have it will find more structure, bait, and bass than those who use other electronics. It also seems that the wide coverage would save tons of time in practice, did you find this to be the case? Who will be using the Hummingbird SI units this year and what percent of guys fishing tournaments do you think will have them?

Tim

[BASS FISHERMAN]

i sorrie i not has anna expeerance with thems 
i has a sonar on me boat tho  sonar allways wurks good fur me as it tells me wahter depth an such  me spinners baits do all the side surchin fur me 

BASS TRACKERS BOAT RULE 

[BryanP]

I've had one for the past 3 years, and use it a lot.  There are a few images I took from the past year posted on the Electronics board,  one of which is an isolated rock patch at the base of a break in 19' on Gun Lake.  Also found a sunken boat on Gun that same day.  I should add that I had never been on Gun till that day!  In addition to locating new stuff, it's a great tool to look at places you've fished for years and see how the structure is really laid out, or even find sweet spots on that structure you never knew were there (example--isolated rocks off of the main structure).  It's awesome for finding those open water rough spots and weed patches on St Clair.

There are a number of guys using these units in Michigan with great success--Clapper, Reault, Balog, and Hensley to name a few.  Here is a link to FLW Outdoors where Brian Hensley talks about using Side Imaging to locate his key spots for the Detroit River Stren tournament where he took 2nd:

http://stren.flwoutdoors.com/tournament.cfm?&bTournamentSearch=1&cid=3&did=25&tid=5648&tyear=2007


I will be doing a seminar at D&R Sports on Understanding Sonar and Side Imaging on Wed January 23.  See D&R's website for exact time.  If you live in that area stop by!

Bryan
Minn Kota/Humminbird/Cannon Rep--Michigan

[bigjc]

Is it just me, or is it hard for any of you guys to take Hummingbird seriously???  Especially to the tune of $2000.  I outfitted my very first boat with hummingbird electronics, just because they were cheap, and the very first upgrade I made to that boat was to get rid of those hummingbirds. 

I admit that it seems like they have come a long way, but are they really on par with Lowrance?

JC

[thedude]

i think humminbird has come a long way in the last 5-8 years or so... i've had several over the years and they were nothing special when compared to the other graphs at the time... i bought one of the matrix series finders when they came out and have been very pleased with it... its every bit as effective as my lowrance... just wish it was color too

[BryanP]

bigjc--Hummnbird is a much different company that they were even 4 years ago.  Back in spring of 2004, they were purchased by Johnson Outdoors, a division of SC Johnson and parent company of Minn Kota.  Prior to Johnson Outdoors involvement, the previous  owners (Teleflex) invested very little in the brand.  Now it's completely the opposite.  JO has put a lot of emphasis on the Humminbird brand, and now they're putting out a quality product.

Humminbird compares very favorably to Lowrance and even better in a lot of aspects IMO with multiple beam technology, ease of operation, and more power and higher pixel counts in many cases.  Feel free to PM me with any questions.

[Skip Johnson]

humminbird is far ahead when it comes to side imaging, I called lowrance last summer and asked them if they were going to be coming out with side imaging and was told not at this time
I wanted to stay with all lowrance but humminbird side imaging will be my next big purchase!
what an advantage a guy has if he knows how to use it!

[bigjc]

I have seen the Side Imaging displays at some of the shows, and they are impressive, but $2000 and a one year warrenty.......pretty steep for my blood, but it does appear that have have made thier way into the big leagues.

JC

[thedude]

i think the smaller side-imaging/gps/graph combos are like 850-900$.. .still pricey, but not as bad as 2k

[LGMOUTH]

 I have had humminbird graphs\gps units on my boats for the last three years and I can tell you that Im impressed and happy with all of the units. I havent gotten a side imaging unit yet but that will be my next one. If what I have read and seen is what they say it is then it is worth the extra money.

[Berkley]

I just picked up the 797c2si this year.. I cant wait to try it out. I also decided to to interlink the 797c2si with a 747c. Now I have GPS in the front and back. I cant wait to hit some of the local lakes with this unit.

[Cy]

I'm very interested in the Side Imaging technology.  I can't wait to see one in action.  I would like to attend BryanP's seminar at D&R in a few weeks.  Like Tcook I want to know if it is worth the investment and does the 700 series for $1000 have a big enough screen to see the detail on the bottom.  I for one will be doing my homework on the SI and will make a decision if I will replace one of my Lowrance units with it. 

Cy

[5alive]

Humminbird cheap? I have had "Birds" for over 10 years, and have only just replaced a 6 year old unit due to an upgrade, no problems ever on the graphs, did have one old flasher break, but every boat I had a lowrance on the units broke and had to be sent in for a fix. Surprisingly, it seems almost everybody that owns lowrance has had some sort of issues with their units, my "Birds" may be old but keep going and going. I had the old Wide Series and just started to upgrade to 700 color units. I guess side imaging will be next!

[bigjc]

I guess I must admit that I am pretty dawgone interested in an SI, just cannot really afford it right now.  Not sure that I would make the investment without seeing one live and in action on the water. I have seen them demonstrated on a Laptop at a demonstration, but not the same as seeing it in action on the water.

JC

[UpAndDirty]

Hey Brian,
What are those coordinates for those boats on Gun Lake?

[djkimmel]

I made Genie fish with me on Lake Ovid late last fall. We spent part of the day trying out his Humminbird side scanner and I have to say I was amazed!!! We found isolated logs and I finally got to see exactly where and how the old bridge lies. I was not where I thought it was and quite a bit different.

The most amazing part was the detail drawn of the bridge/road, and how easy it was to cursor over on the screen to the picture area on the screen you wanted, get a waypoint, and then go back to the spot. We didn't have to find the exact spot right away to get the coordinates.

Although, it was pretty easy with the coverage his unit had, to find the same spot again. I'll tell you what my initial feelings were upon seeing it in live action for the first time - I felt like I was fishing from behind anyone who has access to the technology on their boat... not a great feeling for a tournament angler

I still want to get another working underwater camera, but this side scanning technology will probably have a faster and stronger impact than video for anglers who fish anywhere deeper than they can see with their own eyes! This is not your father's Humminbird

[canvsbk]

I went to BrianP's seminar last night, if you've got questions that's what to do.
I don't own one but fished out of a boat with it last year. There's no doubt in my mind for you guys that fish St. Clair - Eire - Saginaw - if you don't have one you're at a severe disadvantage. Maybe even worse than that.

[Dan]

I too was at DNR last night. The seminar was short and sweet and the technology is amazing and one that will eventually find its way on all such units. Cost is always high on these new toys and most of us will have to wait to get them. I would bet most or all pros fishing will have them on their boats. Tough call though for those who are sponsored by Lowrance. I would love one, but I would also love to win the lottery and it would probably take a windfall like that for me to afford one. Here's a link for the top of the line Humminbird side imaging unit. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=1LYGMDX4VHNTRLAQBBJSCN3MCAEFIIWE?id=0053369019725a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=0250104&cm_ite=0053369019725a&_requestid=27536  The size of the screen on that top of the line unit can't be appreciated from the ad. It is huge! You would have to have a fat coangler like me on board in order to get a level ride if you owned one. 
If you missed the seminar here is a link to a very good introduction:  http://www.sideimaging.com/
Click the bottom link, "See side imaging in action" and listen for about six minutes to Hank Parker talk about and show you the unit.
After the seminar, I found Jonathon Van Dam behind the counter and spent several minutes talking with him about his third place B.A.S.S. Southern Open finish. 19 years old and $20,000 in the bank. Not bad. The next Open is not until May so he has a big lay off until then. Nice kid, I hope he does well.

PS Just realized that it is not Hummingbird. I have been pronouncing it wrong for years. Humminbird is the correct spelling.

[thedude]

can't afford one? i just heard nancy pelosi was gonna send all us married guys 1200 bucks!.... +300 per kid..... hmm...... the 797c2 is $850.......

[Cy]

Dude,

I like the way you think.  I have been thinking how am I going to fall into $2000 for the 900 series.  I think that tax rebate could be a good start.