SI high speed ?

Was killing some time at Cabelas tonight, and the salesmen told me that the 700 and 1100 series SI units, don’t read at high speeds. When I asked what that meant, he said they don’t side image, or sonar, when the boat is on plane, only the gps worked? He said they mount the transducers 4-5″ above the boat line, to protect them, as long as they don’t read on plane. What have you guys found out that have them, as I think I will have a hard time spending $2000 on a unit that doesn’t work over 15 mph?

Side imaging works best at 6 mph or below.

If you optimize your transducer placement, you’ll have no difficulty reading bottom (using the traditional down-looking sonar) at higher speeds. For example, check out the speed (25-30 mph) on these screen captures. No trouble reading bottom in down-looking mode, and there’s still some info in the Side Imaging view at these speeds.

If you want to mount your SI transducer high on the transom to protect it, then you’ll need a second, through-hull transducer for high-speed pickup. Humminbird’s software will automatically switch to the through-hull ‘ducer at speeds above 10 mph.

Send your salesman to this thread. These were collected with an 1197, using only the SI transducer.

Thanks Jason, I would definitely want to be able to use it as sonar while running. I can understand mounting a little above the boat line to protect it, but not 5″. How is yours mounted compared to the normal ones? Now its not a question of if I will be talking to Dan again, its just how soon can I fund it! Thanks

Mine is mounted just like a “normal” transducer.

Thanks for the info Jason, much appreciated.

A few high speed images. Its not always this clear, but I generally get a good idea of depth when running 40mph+. SI is great for getting an idea of depth profile at high speed. My ducer is mounted like Jasons, right at the waterline.

Mike

How much money does Cabelas loose every day from employees not really knowing what their talking about? My pet peeve about Cabelas…

It’s amazing to me how much corporate america expects from their employees, but they are so reluctant to invest in training or compensation to keep quality employees….

Thanks for adding those Mike. I remembered that you had some high-speed images posted, but I couldn’t find them last night.

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How much money does Cabelas loose every day from employees not really knowing what their talking about? My pet peeve about Cabelas…

It’s amazing to me how much corporate america expects from their employees, but they are so reluctant to invest in training or compensation to keep quality employees….

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The Cabelas guy had basically the right info for that kind of mount… Mounting higher to protect the transducer… But he probably didn’t realize that not all guys mount thier transducers high like that.

I’ve got a friend that works very hard as a Cabelas training/gear info guru. I think the Cabelas guys generally do a great job, but there are always individuals who know less than others, just based on personal differences… Plus they stock one heck of a lot of gear in a 200,000 sq ft store — I suppose its a lot to keep up to date on!!

Mike

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Thanks for adding those Mike. I remembered that you had some high-speed images posted, but I couldn’t find them last night.

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No problem… My readings do cut out occasionally (especially at very high speed or choppy weather), but generally I get a decent high speed return.

Mike

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Thanks for the info Jason, much appreciated.

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Les, if you’re still checking this thread:

My recommendation, on a new install, is to go with the 2-ducer system. It adds less than $100 to the total cost of the system, and does a good job of protecting the expensive SI transducer from impacts and abrasion. My SI ducer is installed low because the thru-hull ducers were on backorder when I had my system installed. I plan to move mine up above the waterline before winter arrives so I don’t have to worry about an ice chunk taking it out on the river.

Dan and Sean at Skeeter Boat Center know exactly how to deal with this issue. Most of the new installs rolling out of their shop are done this way.

Go with the dual puck set-up and never look back. SI ducer mounted high and out of the way and the seperate 2d. I have heard the Side Imaging ducers are not cheap to replace. Mine rolled out of the Skeeter Boat Center rigged this way and I couldn’t be happier. Mine will read at 50mph plus but I don’t spend a lot of time looking at it when running those speeds for quite obvious reasons. You guys be careful out there when taking snapshots of screens while running 20+mph.

Dan and Sean will hook you up, I always have my doubts based on people I have dealt with at boat shops. Sean will treat your stuff better than you do. I put him through the paces when I was up there for my 10hour service a few weeks ago, and he passed the test.

Thanks guys, sounds like the route to go!