New to side imaging... Purchase tips and criteria?

[BNL]

I'm totally new to side imaging electronics. I'm considering making a purchase of one of the units. I was leaning towards Humminbird. And was thinking of the Humminbird 898c SI Combo. Would this be a good unit starting out?

How do I go about making the decision of what unit to get? What size is too small to be able to see clearly? What should be my main decision criteria besides cost?

I'm going to be mounting it on my Stratos 285 in-dash or gimbal mounted (not on bow)
Please help as I'm pretty lost trying to figure out this purchase.

Look forward to everyone's thoughts.  I need help...

[Wolverines]

I've got a 998 SI and I love that graph.  I would reccomend getting the biggest one you can afford.  Not only is the bigger screen nice for sonar and SI, but it's nice for GPS too.  I would think the 800 series on up would be tough to mount in dash so I'd plan on getting a RAM mount for it.  Again, I'd get the biggest one.  I have the lesser RAM mount and I need to upgrade to the bigger one.  It's way too much money sitting on top of that mount to be bouncing around in rough water!!!

[BryanP]

Wolverine has it right, screen size should be your biggest criteria, so get the biggest one you can afford.  You really compress a lot of information in a small area with the smaller screens, so the bigger screen will allow you to see more detail easier.  Plus, it's also easier to see when you do split sonar/gps views.  That said, a smaller screen is still better than not having side imaging.  For the cost, the 898 is a great choice.

On a Stratos 285, you would probably have to gimbal mount the 898.  Some of the newer model Ranger, Triton, and I think Skeeter have started building the dash panels to accomodate the larger units (even the 1100 series on Ranger and Triton), but I would still probably gimbal mount on a RAM so you can take it off the boat.

[Waterfoul]

Humminbird is the way to go.  Hands down.

[Cy]

I concur with all the information and opinions stated above.

Cy

[1javelin]

Usable space, you only add 1.125" sideways when you go with the 898 over the 798, but the pixel count gets weaker too. Don't know if it's really worth adding $500. The 998 is over another inch bigger and half an inch deeper, probably a little better, though still the weak pixel count. Done a LOT of looking and research, that is what I've come up with. The best bang for your buck far and away is the 1198, though the price is more than most are willing to spend. Just my honest opinion, but I'll probably not be able to afford the big one either, so I'll probably have some smaller ones.

1jav

[SethV]

I think the 700 series is too small, the 800 is borderline and the 900 series is great.  I have a 997 on a HD ram at the console and a 998 flush mounted on the bow.  Alone they would be too small, but I have a pair of Lowrances to go with them.  You need to see GPS, 2d and SI all at the same time.  About the only way to do all that on one screen is the 1100 series.

[Hooksetter]

Usable space, you only add 1.125" sideways when you go with the 898 over the 798, but the pixel count gets weaker too. Don't know if it's really worth adding $500. The 998 is over another inch bigger and half an inch deeper, probably a little better, though still the weak pixel count. Done a LOT of looking and research, that is what I've come up with. The best bang for your buck far and away is the 1198, though the price is more than most are willing to spend. Just my honest opinion, but I'll probably not be able to afford the big one either, so I'll probably have some smaller ones.

1jav

I have been wondering if the little bit bigger screen is worth the extra $$$ also. The 798 is a HD unit and has about 26,000 more pixels than the 898. Is having the wider screen on the 898 worth losing the HD quality and the extra $400.00?

I am leaning towards a 788ci HD DI for the front, I don't think I really need Side Imaging up front. Probably the 798ci HD SI for the console. But that is subject to change, right up to the minute I order them.

Willie

[Bender]

What year is your 285? I have a 997 on mine which is an 07. They changed the consoles between 06 and 07 and I had to get a little creative to mount it with the RAM mount that I bought, I'll take pics if you are interested. I really like the Humminbird and really want to get another for up front. Of course I would prefer an 1198, but to me it looked too big on the boat. One thing is for sure, once you get you will lose a lot of fishing time because you will drive around looking at stuff. It's amazing what all you will find like three cars I found in Belleville Lake.

[1javelin]

Hooksetter, I'm kind of with you. I don't need the side imaging up front, but I really want the down imaging there. I just need a unit to link waypoints from the console, but I think getting the biggest screen possible is worth it. I looked at the Lowrance units, found an unbelievable deal, but on a tip from Skip I called Lowrance to check out the service and ask questions. To run DI up front also, you have to run 2 LSS-1 boxes. That's not what I wanted to hear.

I thought about putting a 958 or 1158 up front, but I really want the DI there also. So unless I just can't come up with the funds, I'll probably try to get the 2 biggest units I can get my hands on. Hoping for a fruitful tax return so I can splurge! Keep us informed on what you find and get. We are all interested whether we say so or not.

1jav

[Waterfoul]

Bottom line is this:

Get the biggest screens you can afford.  For me that is a 788ci up front and a 797ci si at the console.  I love them both.  But like I said... it's what I can afford so it's what I have.

Surprised no one has brought up Lowrance and the LSSI side imager.  I sell them all... and have used most of them at one point.  Stick with the Humminbird.  You'll save money, the LSS1 is anywhere from $500-600 ON TOP of the price for the fish finders, and have a lot less wires and cables to deal with.  Plus... if you buy a side imaging Humminbird that doesn't have the down scan... you can add it for free.

Just my thoughts.

[LAPORTE]

It's amazing what all you will find like three cars I found in Belleville Lake.

Where tell me tell me I must know ....

[blakstr1]

maybe you've already made your decision but i've had both the Humminbird 797 and 997.....hands down the 997 was worth every penny more.  the 7 series although a clear and good unit was just way too small.  i bought my 997 on ebay and got a great deal with the Navionics installed.  worth looking

[5alive]

I agree with Blake, 900 series or bigger, plus a little more power there too. With these great units check out getting the Lakemaster chip, pretty interesting with what you can do with it!

[Hooksetter]

This is the best pricing I have found so far:

1198c HD SI.....$2,417.82

998c SI..........$1,717.00

898c SI..........$1,295.00

798ci HD SI.....$906.68

788ci HD DI.....$690.97

These prices are for complete packages including all transducers, antenna's, cables, hardware etc.

These are from a supplier right here in mid Michigan, so some of the money stays right here in our economy. If someone has found better let me know, I am ready to buy in the next few weeks.

Willie

[Bender]

Where tell me tell me I must know ....

Sorry Don, I think that those were on Ford Lake. It's been a few years. I'll look for the screenshots and send them to you if I can find them.

[Waterfoul]

This is the best pricing I have found so far:

1198c HD SI.....$2,417.82

998c SI..........$1,717.00

898c SI..........$1,295.00

798ci HD SI.....$906.68

788ci HD DI.....$690.97

These prices are for complete packages including all transducers, antenna's, cables, hardware etc.

These are from a supplier right here in mid Michigan, so some of the money stays right here in our economy. If someone has found better let me know, I am ready to buy in the next few weeks.

Willie

I'm working on price quotes for these units.  When I have them, I'll let you know.

Mike

[1javelin]

Me too Mike. Still in the air on my choices.

1jav

[LAPORTE]

What about an 858c Combo for the front what do you guys think ?






Willie
[/quote]

I'm working on price quotes for these units.  When I have them, I'll let you know.

Mike
[/quote]

[Wolverines]

I've got a 788 CI flush mounted on my bow.  I flip a lot so it is the perfect unit and setup for me.  I guess if I structure fished more than I flipped then I could definitely see a use for a large unit RAM mounted at the bow, but the last thing I want to do is accidentally drive a 1oz. tungsten weight into the screen of a $2000 graph

I also would say getting a unit that is Lakemaster compatible is good advice.  Both of my graphs are and it is really cool what all you can do with that chip...