Humminbird 1198c SI ????

I’m in the process of educating myself on getting a new graph, upgrading from my Lowrance 332 that gives me some problems at times.

I was reading, and thinking about an 8″, and hoping for side imaging. As the 898 models look to be drying up… and the 899’s are $1000 (scary, but I know how these go).

I came across a new 1198c SI for $1500. Going to Cabellas and such this weekend and looking at the different units. Never been in a boat with any of these… You guys with 8″ models, safe to assume they are really good? I’m not a bigger is better guy – but is the size really that big of a deal? Whatever I get will be with me for a long time… networking and such isn’t of an interest. That 1198 sure seemed like a huge markdown. Is it just cause the new ones are out, or are there also some downsides to that unit?

Can I use the Lowrance at the same time for the maps, keeping screens on the new unit open for other uses?

One thing I couldn’t find, is if the SI units have the typical 2d, regular fish finding views like mine, but better? Can or should my current unit be ran at the same time, or down the SI unit need to completely replace it on the transom?

Yes… I am really learning. TY

all the units will still have the regular 2d sonar. as far as size its personal choice and size limitations of the boat. the 1197/98 doesn’t fit nicely on the dash of some console’s

Screen size is all relative to each fisherman’s perspective. For some with eye troubles the big screen works great and for others the 8″ is all they need. Functionality of these units in SI, DI or 2D is quite impressive, you can also split the screen to run any mapping capability with that bigger screen. If your running side by side lowrance and bird, I would disconnect the lowrance ducer and use it strictly for mapping. That should eliminate transducer interference. Good luck with your decision, you will be amazed coming from a 332C

Thank you both… I’ll take all the insight I can get. I hate spending money, well sort of, but I can’t wait to see these units at the stores. Hoping to get up to Cabella’s when Randy is there Saturday.

Size doesnt matter much for any sonar other than SI. As far as the other views, when you start splitting the screen twice or three times, then size again becomes important.

When it come to seeing fish on SI, size does indeed matter..

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Size doesnt matter much for any sonar other than SI. As far as the other views, when you start splitting the screen twice or three times, then size again becomes important.

When it come to seeing fish on SI, size does indeed matter..

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screen size wont have as much of an effect as reducing the SI range on the left and right will help with fish size. If you are running it at the max 180 feet left and right(360 ft.). all that data gets condensed into 1/2 of your screen, unless you are viewing only the left or right. So cutting your range back to 75 feet will reduced the amount of data that needs to be squeezed on the screen and your fish or rocks or what ever will appear larger. I rarely run my range higher that 75. sometimes 50. that equates to a 100 ft swath of the bottom. that is still a lot of data. It also makes a difference if I’m looking for fish or structure
. you can use the wider range when searching for structure

If you run the view on just one side of the boat…. can you still adjust that variation of how much distance? I do more shoreline, and edge fishing. Habit I guess, but that leaves me fishing one side of the boat often.

Where did you find that unit for that price? I was in the market for a new fish finder too but haven’t run across a deal like that.

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If you run the view on just one side of the boat…. can you still adjust that variation of how much distance? I do more shoreline, and edge fishing. Habit I guess, but that leaves me fishing one side of the boat often.

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Yes

Calvin really nailed it with the split screen. Having the larger screen makes a huge difference when you have multiple views up at once. Plus you don’t need to be on top of the screen to see it

here are 2 huge sources for info. there are enough videos to last all weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/user/imonbass/featured

http://www.jasonhalfenoutdoors.com/HumminbirdIndex.html

I’ll dive into the videos for sure.

Randy, that second screen shot…. bright areas on the left, bait balls?

Third one, downed wood on a flat bottom?

First one… got me. I can see where there is a huge learning curve.

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I’ll dive into the videos for sure.

Randy, that second screen shot…. bright areas on the left, bait balls?

Third one, downed wood on a flat bottom?

First one… got me. I can see where there is a huge learning curve.

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1st – Lock discharge on the miss. You can see water ejecting out if you look close at the discharge tubes to the bottom right

2nd – isolated patch of weeds with a ton of crappies on it. You can see the incline of a small hump in the upper left corner that wasn’t on the map

3rd – Timber scattered out on a mud flat

4th – school of walleyes on the feed!

I have my side and down imaging off the bow transducer and a second unit right next to the 999, a788, that displays a 2D sonar picture from a quadrabeam transducer which is mounted on the transom which displays side to side 2 x the depth and splits it into center, left, and right. I use it to help me translate my digital imaging. I’ve had it on the water once below castle rock Dam and while trolling around would see things first ion the si and di, then when I went over with the 2d was able to define what I thought I saw.

Thanks again guys…. Sure seems overwhelming. Eyes are tired from videos and guessing on the images.

Best advice I ever received was….Who cares what the structure is if there is no fish on it….In other words don`t look at structure and try and figure out what you are looking at it takes your eyes away from main objective TO FIND FISH… Once fish are located then you can go back and figure out the structure.

if you’re scared about spending major $$ on Side imaging, you could go the cheaper route and pick up a Humminbird 798siHD at Gandermountain for $600 after rebate, if you like it, you can sell the 798 at a minimal loss and spend the $$ to get a better unit…

what he said you want to look for fish not just for structure structure is merely just irregularities underwater if you don’t find fish you’re not going to catch fish learn to look for fish

Very well put….

Thanks again

Couple of 1198’s in the bargin Cave at richfield cabelas for 1559.99