Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

[lmannyr]

Need Help deciding on a fish finder. Budget is 1k out the door. I'll install myself. This will be my first fish finder. I do 75% ICW fishing the rest in the ocean....for now.

Is the Side Imaging really worth it. The pictures do look nice and detailed. I think I can get a lot of use from it when searching for near the docks, yachts for spots.

Whats do you all think?

Thanks!!!

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

Side scan is Da BOMB! You'll wonder ow you ever got along without it. It looks under docks and shows the fish.

Side scan only works well at low speed so dont expect to cruse along looking for fish at 30 knots.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

Anyone ever buy from FactoryOutletstore dot com... Any pros or cons to this store? thanks!

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

Also transducer placement is paramont. It's big and finicky and must have a clear unobstructed view horizon to horizon. I have "scanned" pontoon boats on the surface thirty feet away.

 

[echo690]

Re: Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

I got a 798 about 2 mounths ago and I use the side scan more than the 2d sonar. I installed it myself and it was pretty easy. I bought mine from Poor Fish off Ebay. They have a huge ebay store and great customer service. I got the 798 c SI NVB model for under a $1000.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HUMMINBIRD-798C...34.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|301:1|293:1|294:30

Also there is a yahoo group called the UnOfficial Humminbird Side Imaging Group that is all about the humminbird SI units. There is a hugh amount of great information from installation to problems.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging/

Happy Fishing

 

[John_S]

Re: Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

If you want to find structure, SI is what you want. I was a 797 owner, but sold it, to get some of the newer features in the 798. I went for the 798ci and added the ext reciever GHRA.

I purchased from Universal Mania for about $850 w/shipping (not including the GHRA). Shipped quick and provided the store receipt required for HB service and warrantee. I will have to look, but the GHRA was about $160, but would have to go see from whom.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

I bit the bullet and got 798ci combo for Under 900 bucks shipped next day. Should be here later today. I have bennett trim tabs. I hope that won't be a problem with interference.

Thanks for the group info. I'll look into it. Drilling holes in my transome for the install is killing me right now and the package has not arrived yet.

 

[John_S]

Re: Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

I bit the bullet and got 798ci combo for Under 900 bucks shipped next day. Should be here later today. I have bennett trim tabs. I hope that won't be a problem with interference.

Thanks for the group info. I'll look into it. Drilling holes in my transome for the install is killing me right now and the package has not arrived yet.

The tabs along with your drives will make finding a good SI along with good at speed 2D some what challenging. Recommend using a temp mounting system before drilling holes, such as suction-cup mount or a large transducer mounting plate.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

The power cable is installed. The head-unit mount is installed. The transducer cable will be long enough. My delemma is the transducer mount. Anyone installed a SI transducer before on I/O With Metal Tabs? Suggestions.

Thanks

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

Did some transducer placement tests yesterday using, get this, DUCK TAP. Ha. I didn't think it would work but it did. I didn't do any speed tests. In fact, 6mph was the fastest I tested.

I started off between the tabs and outdrive on the starboard side. Of coarse the port was blacked out on the screen. Next, I test between the first spot and the drain plug. I got maybe 50 feet of port SI. Then, I tried setting it right next to the drain plug.....PERFECT SI.

Now hopefully there won't be any cavitation issues. Not sure until it's permanently installed. The second option was to install a transducer on each side of the drive and use a special Y-cable to take the signal of the respective sides. Thats more holes in the transom than I want and more money to spend, and more equipment for possible damage.

What are you thoughts on it's projected install spot?

Also, Should I use marine tex, 4200, 5200 or something else to seal the screwes. I'd rather not use any screws and 5200 the mount on but not sure if thats the right way of doing this.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[John_S]

Re: Help Decide: Humminbird 788ci or 798ci

I use 5200 to seal holes below water line. The transducer is large and do not recommend trying to use just the sealant. Given your test was low speed, which is good for testing SI, the on plane test could reveal poor 2D and bottom lock. I recommend using a transducer mounting plate, such that it will have only one set of holes, and have flexible mounting area. Also, you would have the option of a spltter cable and putting a 2D shoot thru hull in the bilge area.