Electronics Question And Discussion

[Don House]

Well that all depends on your money needs... GPS module will work and is cheaper.. That is the most cost effective thing to do.. Now on to the other.. Both models of the humminbird unit you are talking about are very nice units and work very well.. Screen Resolution on the 700 series is just unreal.. Yes they are a smaller unit but in the SI world that screen resolution makes a difference.. Networking is really nice but not really needed unless you are like me and mark ton's of way points everyday. Mark one and it is on both units.. I also share my GPS module with both units and that works very good as well.. As far the distance from the GPS module, yes you can be off like any other unit out there.. But I run the new 3 meter GPS module takes me down to it with ease.. Just the way the HB uses the GPS walks away from any Lowrance unit on the market.. Let me see you on a tree or a brush pile I will motor by you about 150 to 200 feet away and mark that tree you are sitting on, works really cool!!

It really boils down to this, do it now or wait until they finally break... Hummm.... Avoid the Christmas rush and just go get the units you want.. You will be happy in the long run..

Question when you get them, just ask.. Installation questions just ask, install just about every model they have.. Very easy to install.. Enjoy and let us know what you do!!

Good Fishing

Capt. D

[jay bird]

I have the 797 and it works great, but I would like to have the bigger screen for the SI and the dual SD card slots that now come on the 798. The 798 does have a higher screen resolution than the 797, but have yet to see one in real life.

The upgrades that HB comes out with are another plus they have had two since I have had my unit that really improve the way you use the unit. All that to say this save for the bigger screen you will not be sorry, I think (Don correct me if I am wrong) that they now have a size between the 798 and 997 for the SI.

[fozzype]

Just to start out-

Love Lowrance products when they work - Hate everything else about them.

I have a LMS 520 that has went through 2 antennas this year. Lowrance will fix them for $ 85, but it takes you two days (8 hours on hold) to get a someone on the phone and 5 months to get your antenna back.

So,

I am going to switch to Hummingbird for the GPS at the console and possibly upfront. What is learning curve on swithing? Are the images viewed much the same in 2D as lowrance? Does anybody have any ideas about their reliability?

Also, I have heard of an adapter that will allow the Humminbirds to use Lowrance tranducers. This would be great, becase changing it in the floor of the boat is a pain.

Thanks for your help,

Brett

[Gary Lange]

Well I went to BPS this morning and picked up the new stuff. Got the Humminbird 898cSI for the console and the Humminbird 788c for the bow panel. I had to order the installation stuff like the interlink, Switch box and another transducer before I can finish. Just taking out the old stuff now.

[rps]

Good on you. Enjoy and report back for the readers.

[skeeter]

Well I went to BPS this morning and picked up the new stuff. Got the Humminbird 898cSI for the console and the Humminbird 788c for the bow panel. I had to order the installation stuff like the interlink, Switch box and another transducer before I can finish. Just taking out the old stuff now.

I hope you enjoy the new equipment.

Be sure and register on Humminbird's website with model and serial numbers of new units. They often upgrade (for free !) their unit's software and you download the upgrade onto a SD card and then into your units. Specific directions are on the website and they must be followed to the letter. There is also an excellent newsgroup/forum on Yahoo news. Type in " http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging/ to find them and sign up. The technical experts from Johnson Outdoors (owners of Humminbird) answer questions from members and do so quickly.