Bird 899 ci HD SI Combo

So i’m rigging a new boat for this spring. On my old boat i had two Lowrance 520c unit. For me it did the job for the most part. On my new rig i’m contemplating going with a Bird 899 ci HI SI on the console and a 859 ci HD combo in the bow of the boat. My thinking is i can run areas from the console utilizing the side imaging to mark areas with way points for when fishing and casting from the bow.

I don’t want to break the bank but am i short changing myself or would this be a good set up in your experience?

Thanks!

Even if I went without for a while, I would save a few more coins and go with the 999…but thats just me.. I would buy a 998 HD combo before I would buy a 899…Screen size is paramount when youre talking about Side Imaging, and interpreting what your unit is showing you..

where are you mounting the transducers for each unit?

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So i’m rigging a new boat for this spring. On my old boat i had two Lowrance 520c unit. For me it did the job for the most part. On my new rig i’m contemplating going with a Bird 899 ci HI SI on the console and a 859 ci HD combo in the bow of the boat. My thinking is i can run areas from the console utilizing the side imaging to mark areas with way points for when fishing and casting from the bow.

I don’t want to break the bank but am i short changing myself or would this be a good set up in your experience?

Thanks!

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As stated the larger screens are very nice when identifying specific structures. But being realistic on budget, your application idea works great. Very similar to my set up.

I’m currently looking through all of the Humminbird side imaging options for my boat and it looks like the 998c SI is the best bang for the buck until they are sold out…I’ve been finding them online for as low as $1,100 new…even less used…

999c SI that has built in GPS and a faster processor for $1,500 upto you if you think that’s worth $400 more..

The 1199c SI is the grand daddy of them all, but at least $700 more than the 999, I just don’t want a TV on my console so that’s why I feel the 9 series is best for me, it uses the same console footprint as the 8 series, but fully utilizes the bezel to get another inch of screen.

I’m moving from a 5″ screen to a 7″ screen so i think i’ll be fine there. The 7″ will feel big after what i’m use to. Any feedback from anyone who has actually tested these units?

I have a 1198 off my dash and thought that it would be over kill from a size standpoint. Well, its not. It is very nice to have a larger screen to see verything that is coming at you and being able to split the screen up into multiple views (si, di and gps).

I agree it is a lot more money but what you should be able to get out of it is the ability to much more quickly understand use your technology to find fish.

Either way on what units you decide to do, hb makes great units. I was always a lowrance guy but tried hb and am very impressed with them. Very clear images, quick processor and super helpful online forums and help.

Thanks

The only advantage to the 999 is faster processor and the ability for more updates in the future. Who knows what technology Hbird will be coming out with.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

When looking at the birds and lowrance i discovered that these newer units no longer allow the user to enter icons. That was disappointing to find out. Has this been an issue for any of you? When you mark a waypoint can you change the waypoint to identify Weed, Rock, Fish etc?

Thanks!

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Thanks for the feedback everyone.

When looking at the birds and lowrance i discovered that these newer units no longer allow the user to enter icons. That was disappointing to find out. Has this been an issue for any of you? When you mark a waypoint can you change the waypoint to identify Weed, Rock, Fish etc?

Thanks!

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Cant answer for L, but Humminbirds have a full library of “icons” that you can change your waypoint to. Trees,Boulder, Skull and crossbones, church, fish campground, etc. are just a few that come to mind. Its in the edit waypoint menu.

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Thanks for the feedback everyone.

When looking at the birds and lowrance i discovered that these newer units no longer allow the user to enter icons. That was disappointing to find out. Has this been an issue for any of you? When you mark a waypoint can you change the waypoint to identify Weed, Rock, Fish etc?

Thanks!

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Cant answer for L, but Humminbirds have a full library of “icons” that you can change your waypoint to. Trees,Boulder, Skull and crossbones, church, fish campground, etc. are just a few that come to mind. Its in the edit waypoint menu.

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In addition, you can also change them on your computer

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I’m moving from a 5″ screen to a 7″ screen so i think i’ll be fine there. The 7″ will feel big after what i’m use to. Any feedback from anyone who has actually tested these units?

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I just bought an 899, going with two hdsi ducers connected via the silr y cable (one on each side of the boat, no interference from the outboard with two ducers).

Havent water tested but from playing around with the simulator it looks very impressive. The biggest thing so far is accessing the lakemaster chip..compared to my 597 its night and day difference. The 899 can scroll around the maps and loads with no lag time which was the biggest annoyance for me on the old one.

Very clear and easy to read…will let you know how the SI works out once I get it installed and water test it in a few weeks.

Spyder…. I am about to purchase one of these units. Why the two transducers? Is it about mounting on a Deep V?

Also, all the conversation about even upgrading the standard unit that comes with it… a knowledgeable guy at Bass Pro said unless I was fishing really deep water (I don’t), that it wasn’t needed. I have not found other good info on it either way.

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Spyder…. I am about to purchase one of these units. Why the two transducers? Is it about mounting on a Deep V?

Also, all the conversation about even upgrading the standard unit that comes with it… a knowledgeable guy at Bass Pro said unless I was fishing really deep water (I don’t), that it wasn’t needed. I have not found other good info on it either way.

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1. I’m running two of them because the outboard (no jackplate) on my boat would block the left SI beam. Humminbird recommends 5? inches of clearance between the transom and outboard. Otherwise if you run a jack plate you can mount it centered on the transom with no problem. I’m happy with the performance of the boat so it was cheaper to go with a second transducer than a jackplate.

2. The compact SI transducer that is included doesn’t have the 800mhz signal capability even though the 899 head unit does does. Basically the higher the frequency, the more detailed the picture can be provided. Trading it into Humminbird cost me 75 dollars…a lot cheaper to do it now than to buy it later.

I have to admit Im surprised that humminbird didnt include an HDSI transducer with it..kinda lame if you ask me that you have to pay to upgrade. On the other hand, the 899 is about 300 bucks cheaper than the 898 model was.

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Spyder…. I am about to purchase one of these units. Why the two transducers? Is it about mounting on a Deep V?

Also, all the conversation about even upgrading the standard unit that comes with it… a knowledgeable guy at Bass Pro said unless I was fishing really deep water (I don’t), that it wasn’t needed. I have not found other good info on it either way.

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1. I’m running two of them because the outboard (no jackplate) on my boat would block the left SI beam. Humminbird recommends 5? inches of clearance between the transom and outboard. Otherwise if you run a jack plate you can mount it centered on the transom with no problem. I’m happy with the performance of the boat so it was cheaper to go with a second transducer than a jackplate.

2. The compact SI transducer that is included doesn’t have the 800mhz signal capability even though the 899 head unit does does. Basically the higher the frequency, the more detailed the picture can be provided. Trading it into Humminbird cost me 75 dollars…a lot cheaper to do it now than to buy it later.

I have to admit Im surprised that humminbird didnt include an HDSI transducer with it..kinda lame if you ask me that you have to pay to upgrade. On the other hand, the 899 is about 300 bucks cheaper than the 898 model was.

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Ive had SI since 08, and can count on one hand how many times I have used 800 KHz, and every time I did use it, it was just messing around to see if it was worth messing with when I was fishing.. In my applications, it is not..

The 800KZ is strictly for shallow water for best results, like wise I have only used 800 a handful of times and I have had SI since 2005.

When running SI I have to tilt my main motor out a tad so as not to cause interference with the left side SI, much cheaper solution versus buying another transducer.

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Spyder…. I am about to purchase one of these units. Why the two transducers? Is it about mounting on a Deep V?

Also, all the conversation about even upgrading the standard unit that comes with it… a knowledgeable guy at Bass Pro said unless I was fishing really deep water (I don’t), that it wasn’t needed. I have not found other good info on it either way.

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1. I’m running two of them because the outboard (no jackplate) on my boat would block the left SI beam. Humminbird recommends 5? inches of clearance between the transom and outboard. Otherwise if you run a jack plate you can mount it centered on the transom with no problem. I’m happy with the performance of the boat so it was cheaper to go with a second transducer than a jackplate.

2. The compact SI transducer that is included doesn’t have the 800mhz signal capability even though the 899 head unit does does. Basically the higher the frequency, the more detailed the picture can be provided. Trading it into Humminbird cost me 75 dollars…a lot cheaper to do it now than to buy it later.

I have to admit Im surprised that humminbird didnt include an HDSI transducer with it..kinda lame if you ask me that you have to pay to upgrade. On the other hand, the 899 is about 300 bucks cheaper than the 898 model was.

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Ive had SI since 08, and can count on one hand how many times I have used 800 KHz, and every time I did use it, it was just messing around to see if it was worth messing with when I was fishing.. In my applications, it is not..

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Same here, i think this was the last time i used it, and as you can see that was 2011. The little I played with it it seems to work better in deeper water rather than shallower. Seemes to show less to each side than 400. BUT, i could be wrong. I like what 400 gives you better anyway.

Here’s a neat screen capture from the MN RIVER in 800

Very good info all!!!! I was wondering about if the motor would get in the way, and I can see where mine would. I’ll end up with the trimming it up some option. Ordered mine today. They are on a national back order right now.

SI…. if you are at a stop, or back trolling what does the screen do?

When moving, it’ll look the same. Whether going forwards or backwards.

WHen stationary, it looks like this:
You can see that a fish moved through while i was anchored.

I’ve used my SI on the ice before, have my 898 on a GENZ box. Works best to just stick it in the hole and look for fish movement rather than to spin the transducer IMO.

BTW, i stare at my SI all the time when anchored. Lets me fish out to a casting distance rather than your sonar which is right below the boat.

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or back trolling what does the screen do?

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Depending on your transducer location, you may get some clutter on your screen caused from cavitation i.e. air bubbles going past your transducer from your prop while your backtrolling.

Varies with every boat.

Thats awesome, never thought to see if the si could be used while stationary, man I can’t wait till the ice melts to water test this thing.

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Thats awesome, never thought to see if the si could be used while stationary, man I can’t wait till the ice melts to water test this thing.

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It can be used in pretty much any situation, The stronger you are at understanding how it works and what it’s showing you the more situations it can be useful.

FishBlood&RiverMud was wondering what ducer are you using for the 899 while ice fishing?

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FishBlood&RiverMud was wondering what ducer are you using for the 899 while ice fishing?

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XHS 9 HDSI 180 T

&

XI 9 20

I put the side imaging on a PVC pipe.

The ice duecer comes with the float.

I used a bait puck on the back side of the genz box for a transducer holder.

HOnestly, rarely do i use my bird on the ice for anything but GPS. It’s just not battery efficient. Plus, i like my marcum too much and i absolutely HATE the float vs arm.

But, it works as a 2nd unit when i have a friend fishing.