Posted 9/13/2011 4:00 PM (#516358) Subject: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 40
Location: Elkhorn, WI
I'm seriously thinking of buying a Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo. Has anyone had any customer service problems with this unit, or for that matter any other problems? Thanks.
Posted 9/13/2011 4:11 PM (#516362 - in reply to #516358) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 279
Had one and had no complaints about it at all. You might want to save up a few extra bucks and get the 898. But if your set on the 798 you'll be happy with it.
Posted 9/15/2011 8:39 AM (#516666 - in reply to #516358) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot
The 7 series is going to be too small to see any SI detail. I have the 898 and it's barely big enough IMOP. Save your money and get at least the 8 and if you can afford it the 9 series.
Posted 9/16/2011 8:22 AM (#516800 - in reply to #516782) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot
With the 8 you have to cut down the range in 1/2 to see much detail (the reason why you want it to begin with). The more detail you have the easier it is to distinguish what that "spot" is you're seeing. Is it bait, a spawning bed, fish, etc? You can run a split screen, but I minimize the other screen when I do it. You can still see, but you need to really look hard vs. having a bigger screen IMOP. There may be some settings that change it but I don't know what they are.
It is my 38th b-day in 1-1/2 weeks so I guess I am getting old...
Posted 9/16/2011 10:18 AM (#516842 - in reply to #516800) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi.
your just a pup treats ...
on the subject of the h-birds. i'm planning to get the big one for next season and when at cabella's they don't even carry it without the side and down-imaging yet it's a commercially available product. the 900$ upgrade isn't interesting enough for me to buy but the fact they leave it out of the line-up is really confusing. anyone buy that unit anywhere ... or direct?
wish i was 38 again .... holy crap does time fly!!!
Posted 9/18/2011 9:19 AM (#517022 - in reply to #516358) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot
Hey Jonny,
I'm pretty sure Thornes has them (or at least did). The down imaging is WAY cool and I used that way more then the regular sonar on the helm (have a 898 on the helm and 858 on the bow). You can really pick apart the blobs you're seeing with the downscan.
Posted 9/19/2011 3:39 PM (#517202 - in reply to #517022) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Location: Minneapolis, MN
I have a 7 on the front and a 9 on the console. I wouldn't bother with a 7 trying to use SI. The detail would be very limited. I will be upsizing my 7 soon.
Posted 9/23/2011 7:52 AM (#517798 - in reply to #517022) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 40
Location: Elkhorn, WI
Thanks much for all the input. I'm glad I asked. I was just about ready to buy the 798 but I think my 58 year old eyes would have a hard time. I'm pretty sure I'll go with the 898. I must admit I hadn't considered purchasing it online till I looked at the prices. Online pricing looks pretty attractive. Anybody have any bad experiences purchasing a big item like this online? Thanks.
Posted 9/23/2011 3:47 PM (#517849 - in reply to #517821) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi.
same here ... thanks for all the input. love the birds and think i'll mount the 798 on the ATV for ice-fishing and go with (2) bigger units for the boat for next season.
Posted 9/24/2011 7:44 AM (#517915 - in reply to #517905) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi.
gregk9 - 9/23/2011 11:36 PM
UGH! 1,300 bucks to get side imaging. I don't know man......guess the question is, do I really need it????
i agree with you completely! ... cool stuff and yah, down imaging is cool too but when you look at the biggest bird they have and subtract those features you all of a sudden have a unit that makes sense price-wise (comparatively speaking). i thought it was odd that cabela's doesn't even carry it without the added imaging capabilities.
some would use it regularly ... i personally don't want it and likely wouldn't use it.
Posted 9/25/2011 10:28 AM (#518009 - in reply to #516358) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI
That's the beauty of Lowrance. The HDS units are offered with no add-ons, allowing you to add-on later. StructureScan is $600 for the Lowrance. Lowrance offers the option to add-on StructureScan, LGC-4000 antenna, SonicHub, Sirius Satellite Radio and Weather, and a whole array of other features.
Is the StructureScan worth it? If you learn how to use it, it's now one of the most valuable resources in the boat, along with the DownScan feature.
Posted 9/25/2011 11:15 AM (#518017 - in reply to #518009) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
And for the connoisseur:
It's how you do it
Posted 9/25/2011 1:22 PM (#518028 - in reply to #516358) Subject: RE: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
lambeau - 9/25/2011 1:04 PM
Funny. When others hijack threads for sponsors you chastise them...
It's all about how you go about doing it. TJ simply added that Lowrance offers StructureScan in a different way than Humminbird allowing a lot more options to the consumer. Nothing was said until Side imaging was brought into the conversation and how some wouldn't want it, well Lowrance offers it so you don't have to pay for it.
Posted 9/25/2011 1:32 PM (#518029 - in reply to #518028) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi.
it was a discussion on how to get more bang (bigger screen) for your buck (eliminate features you don't want) and gave the information requested prior to the infomercial.
i just with my budget allowed to buy all that fancy stuff but it doesn't. i guess i should have gone to school at point instead of stout.
Posted 9/25/2011 2:29 PM (#518035 - in reply to #518029) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI
jonnysled - 9/25/2011 1:32 PM
i just wish my budget allowed to buy all that fancy stuff but it doesn't. i guess i should have gone to school at point instead of stout.
I appreciate you making my point for me. The reason I chimed in was to inform those who don't know that with Lowrance, you are able to add the features you want, when you want, eliminating costs on features you don't want.
Being two years out of college, believe it or not, I do have a budget too. The only add-on feature I have is StructureScan; would love to add SonicHub, Sirius Satellite and radio but my budget doesn't allow that. I do appreciate you making my point for me though, and perhaps you should have gone to Point, loved it there!
Posted 9/26/2011 12:01 AM (#518113 - in reply to #516358) Subject: Re: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
I added the SIMRAD video to show the ultimate connoisseur's Ala carte menu for a marine onboard LED Touch Screen display, and I believe I said that. The discussion had evolved to selection of accessories and a big screen, and that unit defines that subject like none other, and I bet not too many folks here knew that the brand was even out there.
By the way, the video system here requires you hit the start button to watch...as in...voluntary. You can even stop it. We did that on purpose.
Obviously the SIMRAD unit isn't designed to meet the needs of the more 'value conscious' buyer. The broadband 3 G radar and onboard weather is pretty cool though, especially on the Great Lakes.
Posted 9/26/2011 6:42 AM (#518119 - in reply to #516358) Subject: RE: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 322
You want screen size!! Get the 898c si unit and buy a 20" pyle waterproof monitor. Uh yeah your 800 series up have video outputs you can utilize. Heck you can have one unit and 20 monitors on your boat if you wanted. I want to hook up my 50" vizio on my boat just to be funny. Biggest sonar screen contest I WIN.
Posted 9/26/2011 8:38 AM (#518138 - in reply to #518119) Subject: RE: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi.
muskymandan - 9/26/2011 6:42 AM
You want screen size!! Get the 898c si unit and buy a 20" pyle waterproof monitor. Uh yeah your 800 series up have video outputs you can utilize. Heck you can have one unit and 20 monitors on your boat if you wanted. I want to hook up my 50" vizio on my boat just to be funny. Biggest sonar screen contest I WIN.
Posted 9/26/2011 11:19 AM (#518177 - in reply to #518119) Subject: RE: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 247
Location: Uxbridge Ontario
muskymandan - 9/25/2011 7:42 PM
You want screen size!! Get the 898c si unit and buy a 20" pyle waterproof monitor. Uh yeah your 800 series up have video outputs you can utilize. Heck you can have one unit and 20 monitors on your boat if you wanted. I want to hook up my 50" vizio on my boat just to be funny. Biggest sonar screen contest I WIN.
Not very arrow dynamic I bet. Gotta be one heck of a ram mount too.
Posted 9/26/2011 3:26 PM (#518227 - in reply to #516358) Subject: RE: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
Posts: 134
Location: Central Wi
I had one similar, would go bigger for sure... its worth the extra you pay...
Guest
Posted 9/26/2011 3:36 PM (#518229 - in reply to #518138) Subject: RE: Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo
I have an 1197 and it's great. I have a 958 and that screen would accomodate side imaging. Any smaller than the 900 series and you'll have trouble interpreting images.
I'm really interested in the video output/monitor idea. Can this really work? If so, couldn't you just get the cheapest side imaging model (798, I think) and hook it up?
Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo