A Side Imaging Advantage
(Technology) Permanent linkI recently had the pleasure of fishing with 3 pro anglers that use the Humminbird Side Imaging Units. All 3 told me one of the greatest benefits of the Humminbird Side Imaging technology is that it has allowed them to easily and quickly find open water structure that others can’t find with traditional down looking sonar. One angler told me of a story where he was able to back off of the bank where all of the other anglers were fishing and go into open water and find key pieces of structure where he caught fish that helped him win the tournament. He said that the spot he found was an area where many other anglers had gone over/ near during the day but they weren’t able to locate the structure without side imaging. I have heard similar stories from many anglers over the past 3 years. Most lakes in the country today are heavily fished and most anglers concentrate on areas like docks and grass close to the shore. With these types of areas being over-fished being able to go out into open water and find key structure gives an angler a huge advantage over the competition and Side Imaging will provide that advantage.
Mark Gibson
Posted by Humminbird Blogger at 01/17/2008 11:06:19 AM |
I got a 797 C2 si for Xmas and am very excited about trying it out but the weather has been below freezing most of the month.
Anyway, I wish that Humminbird had an emulator program like my last sonar/GPS has so I can better learn the 797 unit and to plan my trip before getting in the boat.
Posted by: Terry Lesperance ( Email: ) at 1/22/2008 6:48 PM
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need help on desiding if i should bye side imanging unit please email back
Posted by: gino ( Email: ) at 1/23/2008 11:10 PM
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Which model where they using? Was it on the trolling motor or at the dash? I want one but don't know which would sereve me better, dash or trolling motor. It looks like I can't afford both. Big dif between 900 seires and 700, ie: 256 color vs 65,000. I have been all over the Humminbird website and read many articals about it. Still need to be pushed kickin' and screamin'. I can talk the wife into 1,200 but 2,200-3,500 is gonna get her on CNN. P L E A S E HELP !
Posted by: Cameron Marple ( Email: ) at 1/24/2008 10:49 AM
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hi
i just orderd an humminbird 797 ...its gonna be my first humminbird..now was i looking for an emulator to play it..so i found this page...and more people like me miss an emulator so i read here.
anyways i cant sleep while thinking about side imaging so i hope my machine comes soon..
happy catching to all
greetings from holland
Posted by: tim hulshof ( Email: | Visit ) at 2/15/2008 1:04 PM
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I bought my 797c2si unit last spring and in response to gino=YES you should get one. to Terry=If you can work on your boat in a heated garage put the unit on and get some 'hands on' just going through the controls with the unit turned on. There's a lot you can learn that way till spring.
to Cameron=No matter what side scan unit you decide on i know mine was worth every cent the first time i stopped my boat, threw a topwater lure and told my wife the 17"
bass was gonna hit 'right there'!
to Humminbird=I'ld suggest
you send someone with a sidescan to the lakes and rivers near your outlet stores and take a few snapshots of structure in their waters. If i'd seen some of what i could spot in my lake, my
pontoon would have been equiped
sooner. When i was in gino's position our local Dick's store didn't even have
a unit to look at. ps:to Dicks=I WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE.
Posted by: Jake ( Email: ) at 2/22/2008 9:57 PM
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Debating on SI?? Its a lot of money. I spoke with one guy who owned one and he said it's not as to what they advertise it to be. Anybody else care to comment. If it workl like they say then its worth it. Help me decide
Posted by: Fender ( Email: ) at 3/5/2008 9:47 PM
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I recently pulled the trigger on a Humminbird 997C SI unit. Yes, it was a hard decision, but after having it on the boat for 3 outings so far. I am convinced it was the right thing to do.
I was able to see the 997 in action on Bill Leonards boat last spring and that planted the seed. I had to have one! After seeing what Bill showed me on my home lake, I knew what I was missing with the technology (or lack thereof) I had. I always knew it would be a tremendous structure finding tool, but wasnt getting my hopes up too high as far as finding fish.
Wow, was I wrong.
My fishing partner looked on with disdain, as I got used to the unit in my office, learning the keystrokes. ( bought a 12V 3amp output converter at radio shack to do this). After fishing with me on Monday, by the 3rd hour, he said to me.... this is cheating.... and I agreed.
We located small schools of walleyes in 7 feet of water, that we were able to go back to and pitch to and catch! If you can do that in 7feet, the skys the limit.
I am very happy with my new Humminbird! I do still have a few quirks to work out on the installation end, but its been too cold to worry about it, when it is working as well as it is. No problem reading bottom at 40mph, with the standard transducer!. I am having a bit of a time imaging the left side above 5mph, , but my boat has a very deep V hull that I assume is disrupting the ability to scan to the left. I will work this out, when the weather gets better.
My extreme gratitude to Warren Parsons for bringing me up to speed so quickly with the unit.
RP
Spirit lake, Ia.
Posted by: Rollie Peschon ( Email: ) at 3/14/2008 1:22 PM
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I bought 2 797si recd 1 but other 1b.o. must be a big demand. my prob. is deciding where to install TRansducer for best results,i have a Z-20 Ranger .I considered middle behind step since si doesnt work at hi speed anybody out there with knowledge I would be grateful.
Posted by: Fred Hunter ( Email: ) at 3/20/2008 10:44 AM
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I would like to have 2 or 3 units on my boat but partially solved the problem with an extra mount and an A/B switch. One mount at the bow and on at the console. That allows you to move the unit where it is needed.
Good luck
Dick
Posted by: Dick Pegden ( Email: | Visit ) at 3/25/2008 9:41 AM
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I have two of the 900 series sidefinders on my boat. They work great, but if you are fishing at night, you need to bring sunglasses! They will not dim down enough for night fishing. I have custom cut removable "limo" window tint to cover the screens. PLEASE fix this.
Charlie
Posted by: charlie roberson ( Email: ) at 3/26/2008 1:25 PM
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I have a 997. What do I clean the screen with? I've tried water and a silk cloth. That leaves streaks.
Posted by: Mike ( Email: ) at 4/7/2008 8:49 PM
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Hey Fender-
I guess you can't please evryone but i think the 'one' guy you spoke to either didn't hook it up right, never learned how to use it, or talks more than he fishes. There's a rail bed submerged in the lake i fish in w.pa. that most guys know 'about' where it is. i can show you the rails, ties, and every culvert that runs under it. (I don't sell humminbird but i wonder if that one guy sells someone elses?)
Posted by: jake ( Email: ) at 4/13/2008 9:53 PM
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Fred you are on the track. For a Ranger Z boat with a jackplate, the perfect installation is to install the side imaging transducer under the jackplate on the transom. Once installed, it should be lower than the jackplate so the sonar has a clear path out to both sides. With this setup, the side imaging transducer will actually come out of the water at high speeds and be well protected from debris in the water, as well as stumps, etc. while idling. For high downlooking sonar readings, you can epoxy an in-hull dual beam transducer (XP-9-20) and connect the two transducers with a Y cable (AS SIDB Y). The unit will get the downlooking sonar from the in-hull transducer and the side imaging sonar from the transom mounted side imaging transducer.
Posted by: Mark Gibson ( Email: | Visit ) at 4/21/2008 2:01 PM
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Charlie, we now have an enhancement to the backlight dimming system that our service group can perform on your 900 series unit. All you would need to do is contact our consumer services group @ (800) 633 1468 and let them know that you would like to have the enhancement to the backlight dimming system on your unit and they will give you the necessary information to return your unit to have this incorporated into your unit.
Posted by: Mark Gibson ( Email: | Visit ) at 4/21/2008 2:05 PM
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Mike, please refer to our service FAQ section at this web address:
http://www.humminbird.com/support/FAQ.aspx?faqid=494
We have a great service FAQ section that you can search for topics and assist in answering questions more efficiently for you.
Posted by: Kathy Dutton - MEG ( Email: | Visit ) at 4/21/2008 2:13 PM
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i am thinking of buying si but i havent seen any pics that show fish if the unit does show fish how do you tell how far from the boat they are just need to know b4 i buy a different unit
Posted by: brian ( Email: ) at 4/29/2008 12:07 PM
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My 997 si is not installed yet as my new boat has not arrived. I am a little concerned after reading an item above about the unit being too bright for night fishing. This is one of my main intended uses for Walleye fishing at night. I hate the thought of having to send it away before even trying it out. Any ideas or other options?
Posted by: Chris Paul ( Email: ) at 5/20/2008 9:51 PM
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Hi folks,
My hubby & i aren't new to the water but are new boat owners (starting small $$...we got a great '78 Chris Craft Catalina Express for short money). We scuba dive and fish (but are pretty new to that too). We've been debating endlessly about the 957c and the 797c2 SI. Being noobs...we very much want the bigger screen, in the hopes that a large split screen will help offse our cluelessness. At the same time, we've been reading a lot about side imaging technology, which would be fantastic for both fishing and diving. But we can't afford both big sreen and SI. Any recommendations? Thanks!
Posted by: Holly & Matt ( Email: ) at 5/26/2008 10:40 AM
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We periodically rotate the side images on our websites so sometimes there are images of fish and sometimes there are other images but the side imaging units definitely do show fish.
Posted by: Mark Gibson ( Email: | Visit ) at 5/27/2008 9:40 AM
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I fish the North sea (UK) and used th 997 in my old boat with a flat area on the hull. Since then i have purchased a new boat, however it has a deep V hull and stern drive. Ive been advised that neither the thru hull (because of the deep V) nor the transom mount (because of stern drive cavitation) are suitable. Im trying to be creative and come up with option to get the 997 on this boat...but not having to much luck. Any suggestions.
thanks in advance. Judd
Posted by: Judd ( Email: ) at 7/28/2008 4:49 AM
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i bought a humminbird 1197 on april 9 of 2008. it works so so, not what i expected by no means. problem after problem. i had to add another trans ducer in the hull for high speed driving. the trans ducer that came with unit was bad rihgt out of the box, so humminbird sent me a new one at no charge. i had to re locate trans ducer to jack plate for side imaging. the unit works a little better. still not what i expected. the under water pictures still dont look as advertised. no where near what's advertised. all the other features i like. but they need to make the side imaging work like the pictures in the book and on line advertisments
Posted by: Frank Jones ( Email: ) at 9/21/2008 12:41 PM
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THINKING OF UPGRADING WITH SI. HAVE TARGA 185. WILL INTAKE SCREENS AND BRASS PLUG GIVE PROBLEMS TO SEEING LEFT SIDE WITH TRANSOM MOUNT. 2ND. IS IT REALLY WORTH THE MONEY
Posted by: NICK INFANTE ( Email: ) at 10/3/2008 7:26 AM
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i have the 1100 on dash works great have 900 on trolling motor can not get a good side imaging picture on it.
Posted by: chet ( Email: ) at 10/23/2008 2:25 PM
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The images that you see on our advertising are screen snapshots that I took using regular production side imaging units under normal on water conditions so your side imaging unit should produce the same type of images. The best way for us to help understand how to troubleshoot your situation is for you to take screen snapshots of what you are seeing on the water. To do this simply place an SD card into one of the SD card slots on the unit. Turn the SCREEN SNAPSHOT feature on in the main menu of the unit and then press the MARK button when you are ready to capture an image. You can then remove the card and place it into an SD card reader that is connected to your PC. Then email the images to mgibson@johnsonoutdoors.com along with a phone # where I can contact you. Based on what I see in the images you email me I will make recommendations to improve your performance. It will also help if you can talk digital photos of the transducer installation and email those along with the images from the 1197.
Posted by: Mark Gibson - MEG ( Email: ) at 10/28/2008 2:36 PM
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The best way for us to help understand how to troubleshoot your 900 situation is for you to take screen snapshots of what you are seeing on the water. To do this simply place an SD card into one of the SD card slots on the unit. Turn the SCREEN SNAPSHOT feature on in the main menu of the unit and then press the MARK button when you are ready to capture an image. You can then remove the card and place it into an SD card reader that is connected to your PC. Then email the images to mgibson@johnsonoutdoors.com along with a phone # where I can contact you. Based on what I see in the images you email me I will make recommendations to improve your performance.
Posted by: Mark Gibson - MEG ( Email: ) at 10/28/2008 2:39 PM
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Just bought a 797 c2si. Want to put it on my trolling motor. Will the turbulence from the motor cause any distortion on the side imaging display? Also, do I need an adaptor, or is there an exchange program to get the transducer I need?
Posted by: Mike ( Email: ) at 1/5/2009 10:20 PM
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I am very tempted to break the piggy bank open and go out an buy a 900 series Side imaging combo but cannot find the information I require. Can anyone answer these for me please?
1.I will need to operate the unit up to and sometimes beyond 150 feet. All the images I see on the promotional material are from much shallower water. Will the system operate at the depths I fish in and are there any deep water images publised anywhere?
2. I currently use a Lowrance plotter/sonar. Could I run the two side by side or would I get cross interferance? I anticipate needing to switch one off while I operate the other! It would be interesting to compare what I am used to with the new 'enhanced' view. Can anyone please advise?
Bob. UK South West
Posted by: Bob ( Email: ) at 1/26/2009 2:43 AM
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Thinking of purchaseing a 797 si and have a couple of questions. Can you mount the transducer on the trolling motor without interfearing with the side scan image(rotation of motor)? How does it work at slow fishing speeds?(less than 1/2 mph)How does it work at depths of 4 feet? Do you mark structure at the time you view it on your unit or do you store it on memory card and then mark points afterwards? Thanks unit seems to be just what I want but may be too complicated for me.
Posted by: jerry ( Email: ) at 2/26/2009 11:18 PM
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Response to Jerry: The answer to the question of whether or not you can utilize the side imaging transducer on the trolling motor? The answer is that the side imaging transducer works great on the trolling motor. When the trolling motor is turned rapidly it will cause distortion on the screen due to the beam being turned sharply but the image clarity will return immediately after the turn is made. Gentle turns will not negatively effect the image. My own opinion based on my personal use as well and comments from many many anglers that I talk to out in the field is that once you use a side imaging unit on the trolling motor you will not be able to fish without it. The best thing about having the side imaging transducer mounted on the trolling motor is that you are able to see objects far out to the side of the boat while you are actually fishing. For example, if there was a brush pile or rock pile 50 feet out to the side of your boat and you were using downlooking sonar you would never know that object was there. With side imaging you would see the object immediately and be able to MARK it and cast to it. In 10 feet of water with a traditional downlooking sonar the cone diameter at the bottom of the water is about 3-4 feet wide. With side imaging I can see approximately 250-300 feet (125-150 feet to either side) or around 75 times as much bottom as I see with a traditional downlooking sonar. If I could only have one side imaging unit on the boat I would still have to put it on the back of the boat but if I had the opportunity to put two on my boat I would certain take that opportunity. I encourage you to ask other anglers what they think about the side imaging transducer on the trolling motor but make sure that when you ask their opinion that you find out whether they have actually used one on the trolling motor. I think a lot of people have the opinion that the Side Imaging will not work well on the trolling motor but after they have actually used it on the trolling motor they love it.
Posted by: Humminbird blogger ( Email: | Visit ) at 5/13/2009 4:07 PM
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Response to Bob: The maximum depth range of the side imaging unit is 150 feet. If you operate the Side Imaging unit in more than 150 feet you will not get an image of the bottom. You will still be able to see what is in the water (suspended fish) down to 150 feet.
The base frequency of both Lowrance and Humminbird units is 200kHz. Whenever two units, regardless of the brand, are operating at the same time the possibility of cross talk interference exists. In most cases the level of interference will be small enough for you to adequately compare the performance of the units. Most often the interference will appear as vertical lines on the screen.
Posted by: Humminbird blogger ( Email: | Visit ) at 5/13/2009 4:20 PM
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Response to Mike: The turbulence from the trolling motor will be behind the Side Imaging transducer so it will not cause any distortion of the Side Imaging display.
We do have a transducer exchange problem that allows you to swap transducers or hardware to fit the application (Trolling motor or transom mount). The transducer to exchange must be unused. In your case you will only need to exchange the hardware. You can contact our Consumer Resource Center (800-633-1468) for more details on this program.
Posted by: Humminbird blogger ( Email: | Visit ) at 5/13/2009 4:23 PM
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Had a chance to work with some professionals using the Side Imaging Unit over the weekend. Amazing technology and made for a great fishing weekend.
Posted by: Andrew ( Email: | Visit ) at 10/26/2009 8:13 PM
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