I’m looking at upgrading to DI/SI and have been looking at the HB. I’m Lowrance now and with the upgrade I’ll have to replace the transducer with either brand. There’s talk of the HB GPS having issues so if anyone has any info I’d really like to hear about it. Whatever I do, I’ll be putting 1 on the dash and 1 on the bow, I know the HB has an ethernet adapter cable, how about the Lowrance? I’ll take all the help I can get, thanks guys!
Not sure about the 899, but I have the 999. I bought that because I got a good deal on it, and the 999 supposedly has a better transducer.
I can tell you about the GPS issues, as my 999 has the same thing. The birds with internal antenna don’t like to read at really low speeds. I had this same issue with my last HDs5 as well. Under about .5mph I get the donught of death sometimes. A lot of guys buy an external puck, but I’ve gotten by without it fine.
I had to get an ethernet cable to hook my 999 up to the 788 CI HD that I put next to it as a GPS only. The cable wasn’t bad, but the stupid dongle connectors cost like $20 each, and it requires two of them.
I love my 999, and can honestly say, it’s helped me pinpoint fish in tournaments a few times.
always get the biggest screen you can afford for Side Imaging detail..the 999 has the same device casing as the 899, but has a 1″ larger screen. The 1199 has a huge footprint but gives an added 2″ of screen. The 1199 is just too big for my tastes, but to each their own…there’s huge rebates on these units until the end of March..
There is an 899ci hd si combo and an 899ci hd si Nav combo. Exact same units and as far as I know the same price, but the Nav combo includes a Navionics chip. Hummingbird considers them two different “models”. You may wish to inquire about this.
Depending on where you fish, the Lakemaster chip is most likely better, it is in MN at least…and you can use it with I-Pilot Link if you have it…
Sorta related but not exact. I have a 597ci with the internal gps. No issues in the season and a half I’ve had it. Not the same model or form factor but is the internal.
Interesting question as I’m looking at the 999 with SI right now
thanks to ALL for the replies, I’m trying to cram as big a unit on the dash as I can so the 999 size info is interesting. I think I’ve got everything figured out, graphs for bow and dash, I Pilot Link for the Terrova, Ethernet cable and Minn. Nav. card. anything else besides $$$ ?
Been running my 899 for about a year now with out any problem. Cant say Ive gotten a lot of use out of the side imaging so far. Looking forward to using it for sturgeon fishing in about a month. No issues with the GPs on it. Guess about the only issues ive had is not getting a good side image past the motor in shallower water.
I would agree with what is said above. If you can afford bigger get it.
Moved my 788 up tot he front of the boat with plans to use the universal transducer on the terrova. Glad I hadnt pulled the old transducer off the back of the boat yet. That universal transducer is junk.
Moved my 788 up tot he front of the boat with plans to use the universal transducer on the terrova. Glad I hadnt pulled the old transducer off the back of the boat yet. That universal transducer is junk.
[/quote]
Mike, what is junk about it? I just purchased a 859 sonar/GPS combo to use on bow. I know that this transducer is sonar only and that’s okay with me but is it really that bad? I have a 2014 terrova with US2. Hope I didn’t just make a big mistake!
I have an 899 and GPS works great, all the time.
SI… I personally would go without if doing it again. Probably just me, but I have yet to really feel I understood or benefited from what I was seeing. I think screen size really matters here.
well after reading all the power/GPS/transducer problems on HB units it makes a guy think, I guess the only other question is do you really use the I Pilot Link enough to justify that cost too ??? Upgrading electronics is such a Want, not really a need for the average angler so when your talking 1K+ to have your graph talk to your trolling motor, is it “Really” worth the hard earned dollars your putting into it ?
well after reading all the power/GPS/transducer problems on HB units it makes a guy think, I guess the only other question is do you really use the I Pilot Link enough to justify that cost too ??? Upgrading electronics is such a Want, not really a need for the average angler so when your talking 1K+ to have your graph talk to your trolling motor, is it “Really” worth the hard earned dollars your putting into it ?
Humminbird has no more problems than Lowrance or Garmin, just make sure it’s installed properly and it will be a great unit.
well after reading all the power/GPS/transducer problems on HB units it makes a guy think, I guess the only other question is do you really use the I Pilot Link enough to justify that cost too ??? Upgrading electronics is such a Want, not really a need for the average angler so when your talking 1K+ to have your graph talk to your trolling motor, is it “Really” worth the hard earned dollars your putting into it ?
I upgraded to the unit and trolling motor you are thinking about, and I have not had any problems with either. I use the Ipilot link more than I though I would.
I should add that I have had my equipment for 2 seasons.
Moved my 788 up tot he front of the boat with plans to use the universal transducer on the terrova. Glad I hadnt pulled the old transducer off the back of the boat yet. That universal transducer is junk.
Mike, what is junk about it? I just purchased a 859 sonar/GPS combo to use on bow. I know that this transducer is sonar only and that’s okay with me but is it really that bad? I have a 2014 terrova with US2. Hope I didn’t just make a big mistake!
[/quote]
tresz84,
I am running the Bird 859 on my bow utilizing the universal transducer on my Terrova and I haven’t had any issues. The only thing that I could possibly think you would run into is a small amount of surface clutter/interference if you’re running the motor at high speeds for a continuous amount of time. Other than that, the combo has been flawless IMO.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
