Software updates

How many of you have updated the softaware in their Humminbird units? I think it is 4.5, some nice upgrades for the 2d and SI

Go to the Humminbird website

I put the 4.51 in my 957 last weekend. Haven’t had a chance to use it yet.

For anyone that is hesitating about updating their software…it is so easy with the free download of Humminbird PC! I keep my 1197 up to date!

I just purchased and installed a 997 last Sunday. I assume it’s been sitting in a box in a warehouse somewhere while an update or two has come and gone? How do you know if you system is most up to date?

Make sure to register your new 997 at the Humminbird Website.

When you do so, look under “my equipment” to see the available updates.

When I registered my 997, the available update was software version 4.510. Here are some of the things this software update handles:

Supports the XM NavWeather accessory. Adds new 2D sonar processing techniques, including the ablity to turn off TVG. Adds SI Image Enhancement features. Supports operation of the CannonLink accessory across an InterLink accessory. Modifies the Depth Offset menu item to shift the sonar image, not just the digital depth. Expands Water Type selections to include deep and shallow salt water. Adds Waypoint Decluttering control.

Thanks Jason. I registered it the day you sent me the link.

i installed it on mine here a week or so ago. the si enhance is nice!

Ruger, Have you checked your current softare version?

Ive been running the updated version since the day it was introduced to the public, and two weeks prior to that in a friends 1197 that is sponsored by Hbird.

While it is impressive what they have done with the upgrade, I must admit that I dont use the TVG much, because I just dont depend on 2D sonar for anything other than just telling me the depth anymore. I dont study it like I used to , prior to SI.

My unit was very good with side images even before the upgrade, so I havent messed with that much either.

One thing that helped me immensely over the last weekend was the shaded depth option. I was fishing smallmouths and walleyes on a large reservoir, that I had limited background with. I did have a high definition Navionics map for this body of water, though.
I was fishing mid lake humps that topped out at about 5-7 feet. After I burned up all of my known spots, I was thinking that I needed to find more spots like the ones that were holding fish. I had heard about the shaded depths, and decided to go looking threu the menu items for it. When I finally located it, I set the shaded depths to 7 feet, and exited. All I can say is wow. Talk about a neat feature for a body of water that you dont know much about.

This feature put me on at least 3 new spots, close to where I was fishing, and has me eyeballing at least 7-10 more spots within 15 miles that I have my sights set on to hit next trip. Yes, these spots will show up in the contour lines, but it takes alot of looking to find them in this particular body of water because of the extremely large number of contour lines.

With them shaded, its like “Hey dummy, come fish here!” so I did, and it worked great. Awesome feature.

Reddog, can you tell me a little more about that? Does it shade the Chart page or are we talking about a SI page?

Ruger,

It only shades the depth on the gps chart, based on the Navionics data.

It doesnt have anything to do with SI.

I loaded up 5 images on my Humminbird website of a Minnesota lake, with the Shaded depth turned off, set to 5, 10 15 and 27 respectively, to show you the differences in appearance with the different settings.

When I attended a Hbird seminar earlier this spring, they told me about the shaded depth and were very excited about being able to so that. At the time, I just couldnt see the value. Well, I can see why they were so excited now. Its just another tool, particularly on unfamiliar waters.

If you get a chance at a Humminbird seminar in your area, you should go. I dont know of any that are going on right now, but it will help bring you up to speed on the units capabilities. Or, another option would be to get set up with someone that has had a unit for a while and have whow you some things.

Youre gonna love your bird!

Humminbird images

Just remember when updating to 4.5 RESET TO FACTORY SETTINGS before dueing the updates. Some have had issues after the update with dark screens. I raise my hand to that one.. ..Easy fix reload last update and reload 4.5.

I do save all past updates for 797csi so if someone needs one I have all the past updates on file.

Had a chance to try mine after the updates, works awsome, TVG and the Sideimaging

Tomorrow will be my first post-update run. Looking forward to seeing how the TVG on/off option and the SI enhancements perform.

Let us know how the TVG on/off works for you!! Would screenshots of the difference be possible??

Mike

Its super nice to see shaded depths on a map… Especially an electronic map that you can change the shade/depth settings at will. I have a whole stack of low quality, one page paper maps that in years past I have used 3 or 4 different colored highlighters to outline the 0-10, 10-20, 20-35, 35+ foot contours… REALLY helps zero in on areas at a glance, but it is cumbersome and time consuming. I was VERY happy to “stumble” into that option on my new 997 last time I got it out.

Mike

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Let us know how the TVG on/off works for you!! Would screenshots of the difference be possible??

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I’ll put it on my to-do list for next time out.

The TVG off option is supposed to be the cat’s meow for vertical jigging!

I ran my 797csi Sunday with the 4.5 enhancments it really made a difference. Much cleaner and crisper screen objects standout much better, sharper edges, and fish are much easier to see in SI. I did not fool with the TVG. I am sure Jason will be out again before me so I am really looking forward to his comments.

Have to say I luv my Humminbird SI considering I would never own a bird before. I got lucky and made the right choice and again thanks to Dean some credit goes his way.