Electronics Question And Discussion

[Gary Lange]

I have a Lowrance 332c GPS/Sonar unit that works well on the console of the boat. However, the GPS Module went out and needs to be replaced. I am wondering if it would be wise to upgrade now to new Hummingbird Units or to get the GPS Module and hope the 332c works a few more years without problems. I have a 334c on the bow that is giving me problems now so it would be considerable expense to upgrade. I just don't know what would be better. The Lowrance units can't be repaired now if the break so if something happens they are toast. I am looking at the 798c SI at $999.00, the 587ci at $469.00, and the networking system at $129.99 for a total of about $1597.99. The new module will be about $300.00 I am just concerned that the units go bad and I am stuck buying the new stuff anyway. Money wise I would like to just get the module and hope for the best. Then again I would like the side imaging.

[rps]

I am using the 898si for my tiller position and a 778c for the bow. Both are excellent units, although the side image function is sometimes difficult to see in certain sunlight angles. A dash mount will reduce those problems. You may remember when units had shade hoods. Sometimes I wish they did again. The sonar images are very sharp and easy to interpret. I am learning how to read the side images and feel more confident every day. I am not yet able to "see" under docks, but ledges and bridge piers are beginning to make sense. Yes, the units are expensive. You know you will wind up with something like them soon, and when you do you will react as did I: "Why did I not do this sooner?"

One place you might consider saving is on linkage. I have not linked the units. The bow runs through the troll motor transducer. My use for the bow position is straight down and depth/bottom texture. My use for the rear position is searching and trolling. I decided not to spend the extra as these seemed distinct and different functions. I understand linking is possible at later date and you might think about delaying that cost by using the units as I do.

As for your real question - how much longer will the old units work and are they going to be worth the money to add GPS - If I could answer questions like that I would not be teaching school. I would be spending the vasts sums of good money I have thrown after bad over the years.

[getfished]

If you upgrade to new Humminbird units I would strongly encourage you to consider the 900 series size as the smallest size for the console. As far as side image goes I don't think you will be happy with a smaller unit.

[Doug Weston]

I'm far from expert on many aspects of fishing, but I am pretty salty when it comes to electronics. I have a 997si and 757(non si) at the bow. They are networked. I wish I had another 997 or the equilivalent non si unit up front as the 2d sonar is much better and IMO more important up front.

As far as the networking issue, I personally recommend it. I feel you aren't using the full capabilities of the side imaging unless you. Do. I'll explain. When you mark a waypoint with a traditional 2d unit, you are marking a coordinate that corresponds to the location of your gps antenna. Unless your antenna is directly over the spot you are marking, you are only getting close. You have a certain amount of error built in to the system, plus we usually mark a location based on something we seen on the sonar. Your transducer is usually some distance away from your antenna. The farther the distance the bigger the error. So you see a brushpile with your transducer and mark the spot with your gps antenna. With me so far? In my case my transducers/antennae are within 3 feet of each other to minimize that error.

With the SI unit you can scan out to the side(duh) and the computer computes the location if you mark a waypoint that is out to the side of your boat. It uses the antenna as described above, but in my case my rear antenna is approximately 19 feet from the front antenna. If I see a rockpile on a point 200 feet to the side of my boat, I can mark it with my rear (si) unit, put the troller down and go right over it with my front unit. The alternative is saving it to a card and moving it to the front unit. If you minimize the position error by grouping your transducer/gps antenna close together, you can find what you marked the first time and not just be within 20 feet of it.

As far as you bite the bullet question, I asked myself the same thing, but I have not regretted my decision in the least. I honestly think it has helped me to become a much better fisherman.

[Ranger Z22]

I had the 332 on my last boat.

When I bought the boat I have now it came with the Hummingbirds on the console and up front. I was very skepical if I would like this.

I have the 797 up front and the 997 on the console. These units are great. The more you just use these units, the more I wonder why I did not get this earlier.

z22

[skeeter]

Gary,

Respectfully, why would you spend more of your hard-earned money with the Company who will not repair your existing units and has pulled this cr#p on thousands of other anglers including myself ? They routinely "obsolete" and refuse to repair units we have spent hundred$ or even thousand$ on in an ill-advised effort to force you to buy new units from them.

I do fully recognize and appreciate your need to save some bucks in this economy and understand the dilemma you find yourself in. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

[kre11]

getfished and RangerZ22 both mentioned the 797. I have been considering this model for my boat as well, due to it being the most affordable unit with SI and it would be the largest model that I could mount in the dash on my boat (without having to mount it to the side on a mounting bracket, which is fine, I just prefer the unit in the dash for the sleek look). I was confident with this decision until I read these two posts and would like you two to please expand on whether or not the unit is too small for use at the dash.

As far as the original post, Gary, I am also in the market for these and I have been able to find these units considerably cheaper on Ebay. Doing a little bit of shopping might save you enough to upgrade with the networking option. Good luck, and please keep us posted on what you decide to use and any feedback you could provide.

[Ranger Z22]

The 797 is not too small for the console. Not knowing the exact dimensions, I would think the 332 and 797 display to be very close. I have no problems viewing while running the trolling motor.

I am reallyspoiled by the 997, like having a big screen TV on your boat.

Both of these units are very good, and after having Lowrance for as long as I can remember, (30+ years), these are great, won't go back.

Hope this helps.

z22

[rps]

Check the resolutions. If I remember correctly, the smallest unit has a great pixel X pixel count. The only draw back is when you are more than two feet from the screen, the larger units are easier to see.

[bobby b.]

Get the biggest and best Humminbird that you can afford now and get the network module as well - you will not regret it.

I have the 900 series on the console with a transom mounted side imaging transducer and the 777 on the bow with a built in transducer on my Powerdrive trolling motor. The two units are networked. I wish I had the bigger screen up front and a side imaging transducer up front but I really like the built in transducer on the Powerdrive.

My favorite screen is the three way spilt - side image, down image, and sonar on the 997 so I can compare the three. The three preset view buttons allow me to quickly jump from the three way split to gps view (also split to another pre-programmed favorite view. The three way splits on the smaller screens are a bit too small for me.

I was told a while back that BassPro was selling last years version of the 900 series cheap but because I like the built in transducer on the Powerdrive I kept what I have.

Good luck