Just got Hummingbird 899si transducer help

[trapshot25]

Ok just got a 899 with si and wondering if it is worth upgrading the transducer to hd model?

[5bites]

Nope. Not unless you are bent on running 800khz which you will almost never ever use as it has a narrower beam.

Spend your money on a gps puck with the compass/heading sensor instead.

[5bites]

Also get a good map card. I use lakemaster and love it. You can now just pay for the lakes you want instead of buying a card full of ones you don't need. For example last year I bou the Tx/Ok card just for Grand lake. $95!

[5bites]

Now it would only cost $29

[trapshot25]

Thanks for reply 5bites it came with navonics card so have a map card . thought i would get lakemaster in future. On the gtps puck are you taking about external puck in addtion to one internal tounit

[5bites]

Yep the external one with the compass. This will be especially valuable if this graph is going on the console but justifiable either way. You want your gps antenna as close to the transducer as possible for the most accurate waypoints. The advantage of the gps puck with the compass is it is always pointing in the right direction. Right now unless you are moving your gps direction indicator is just an icon and isn't necessarily pointing where you are facing if you are moving slow and in a very small area. With the compass, the icon is always pointed toward the front of the boat (even sitting still) so it will make lining up a pass over a waypoint or even where to cast so much easier.

I do not own this puck yet myself but its in my shopping list for both of my graphs because I know how frustrating it can be trying to line up on a target.

Picture this scenario. Let's say you have a graph with this puck up front. You have a brush pile marked as a waypoint on your gps. You can zoom in on the gps and point the icon right at the waypoint so that you know that if you cast straight ahead of the boat you will hit your target.

I hope that makes sense. This is just how I see it as being useful. The 800khz hd transducer is nice and useful but just not very often is it needed over the standard 455khz setting. It gives better detail but the 455 is no slacker. If you are just wanting gorgeous screen shots to post online 800 May be your deal lol.

This is subject to change too. The more I use 800 the more important it may be to me but right and and for a few years being able to reach out to the side while searching has been the priority.

[Blll]

Say 5bites, can you tell me more about the Lakemaster chip you mentioned. Single lakes...$29. Where can these be had? Thanks!

[5bites]

Here is a link I found. It should lead you to a map with all the lakes on it. I was telling another member I plan on using this to make a map card for my front graph rather than buy another two cards.

http://www.humminbird.com/Category/Technology/ChartSelect/?utm_source=Humminbird+ChartSelect&utm_medium=Ascent_Email&utm_campaign=33219792&utm_term=454639504&utm_content=Thursday,%20January%2022,%202015

[trapshot25]

Thanks 5bites

[5bites]