What Humminbird sonar to get for boat?

I’m starting to see lots of 2013 model fish finders going on clearance now. I’m in the market for a Humminbird with Side & Down imaging mostly for the “cool” factor as I fish only a few lakes and know them like the back of my hand.. I don’t want to go larger than a 7″ screen or smaller than a 5″ so that leaves me with a few models to choose from. What are some opinions on the 800/700 series? from what i’ve read the internal GPS sucks, and the smaller screen makes SI/DI pretty much worthless..

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mostly for the “cool” factor as I fish only a few lakes and know them like the back of my hand..

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You know them like the back of your hand until you start looking at them through the eyes of your SI machine.

I would get an HD unit as the difference in screen visibility is HUGE.

I have an 898cSI, wouldn’t go any smaller.

I too am looking at adding another unit to my boat this summer now that the 1198’s are close to the price i paid for my 898 a few years ago.

Your last two statements about internal GPS as well as screen size are spot on.

I actually owned a 798 SI HD for a few years.
I never had a problem with the internal GPS.
There was a slight issue with outrunning the 798 screen at 40 miles per hour unless you zoomed out to 200 feet.
This is because it has a smaller processor capacity than the larger units.
I have actually had more issues with my external antenna.
It all comes down to the antenna visibility.
ALSO, looks like the newer birds are all coming with internal GPS.
The 798 actually has more vertical pixels than all the other 8 series birds.
The bigger screens give a little more “history” and a better view, particularly when using split screens as they have more horizontal pixels.

Joe,

We have both the 800 and 900 series SI’s on sale right now. We also install at n/c if purchased from us. Let myself or dean know if your interested!

You are correct concering the screen size on the 700 for SI. You will want at least an 800 series to look at SI. The internal GPS on the 700 series isnt terrible if not flush mounted. Its not perfect by any means but does a decent job. If it was me I wouldnt go any smaller than an 800 for what your looking to do with it.

Thanks Eric, I see Dean tomorrow

You’re right that prices on the older models are dropping. I checked online and got a 788 HD ci combo for $100 cheaper than I just saw at Cabelas yesterday. And there are good deals at Angler’s Guide, too given it has the chip. I almost went that route but had to save pennies. Check around – quite a few deals. I can’t speak to SI etc., as this is my first Humminbird and expect to post again in a few months as I desperately try to figure out how to install/operate the unit! Good luck.

I have my 898 on a blue box and the GPS is attached to the blue box. I can set that on the floor of my truck and the GPS will connect within a few seconds. From that location, the GPS puck is under the dash and has zero visibility to the sky. Still works great.
I have the ice transducer and also use my SI from time to time on the ice as well.

You’ll be able understand why the historical hot spots on the lakes you know so well are hot spots when you can actually see the structure surrounding the area.

Silly question – Do these units allow you to “flip” the water column display on their side so they are easier to look at? (knowing you could only look at one side this way) I ask because I’ve never seen a screenshot that way before..

Nope.

Once you spend a little time learning what you are seeing there will be no need to ‘make it easier to look at’

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Nope.

Once you spend a little time learning what you are seeing there will be no need to ‘make it easier to look at’

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I can see why you would say that, the best advice I ever heard about understanding a side imaging sonar display would be to lay it out like a piece of paper on a desk and fold the water colum edges so they stand up in the middle, it would be nice to see it displayed from the side or how it appears in the water column on screen….

X2

Like said, experience will help a lot.

There are many options including just viewing either the right side or left side of the SI individually.
Once you become familiar, you will use the preset view options to those you most use.
I have 4 favorites “set” (I know my fourth is one screen past the DI screen I use)

Personally I like my 1198 over the 800 series. The bigger screen is nicer to look at in my opinion.

Reading and understanding the side image takes some getting used to but it is not that difficult. Watch some videos humminbird has a few nice ones on reading the side and down image.

Had side image since 2011 and loving it.

Just google “HUmminbird Image Intrepretation”

Start scanning through threads.

Best resource out there, there are a few others without looking too hard.

I would look at the hummingbird 899 brand new for this year internal GPS and lesser price