Posts: 364
Location: Kentucky | Jeff,
I have it on the console and have been very happy with it. I'd rather have the 997 for the larger screen, but the 797 fits the budget. Keep in mind this was my first leap to a color sonar let alone side imaging so I don't have deep experience to compare. If you do a search for "humminbird" you'll find some threads with info, but my opinion:
Good:
side imaging: I've used it on home lakes in KY and in IN and LOTW. It's a little sensitive to speed depending on your boat and configuration, but for me works great at 4-7mph. I've found lots of nice structure and learned familiar spots better taking a little time to cruise them. It takes a little time to learn the quirks of interpreting the image (mostly distance and shadows) but it's not rocket science. If you hit a spot you know really well, it takes no time at all to recognize the features in the image. Some guys use one on the trolling motor but that's a bit more complex to interpret while fishing.
default mount: I had planned on a RAM mount but liked the default just fine. One button detaches the unit for easy storage and it also rotates 180 degrees so I can see it from the bow. OK, I have to squint a bit but I can use the built-in Navionics maps to hover over a deep point.
maps/menus: Not the HD Navionics version but the Gold is good enough for me. The menus are simple and customizable so I narrowed them down to 4 or 5 configs that display the combo map/sonar screens I use the most.
adapter: do a search on eBay and you can find an AC adapter that plugs into the unit. You can sit on your couch and check out lakes and manage your routes.
Weathersense: are they still offering the free Weathersense module? It was easy enough to hook up. Not a necessity but nice to see barometric trends over recent days.
Bad:
high speed function: depending on the installation, some guys' transducers lose the bottom at high speed. This is not unique to Humminbird but the larger transducer can contribute to this problem and also some roostertail. I'd done my research, so I put my trans on a $10 acrylic mounting board. Glad I did since I did have a roostertail when in the "correct" location. Moved it up some and problem solved at the expense of a greater range of speed for side imaging (only a few mph). I also bought the A-B switch and a shoot-thru-the-hull transducer that I mounted in the bilge of my Tuffy Renegade. This setup works great. All functions of the 797 work on either A-B in the event you forget to flip over... with the obvious exceptions of side imaging on one (A) and high speed on the other (B).
screen size: I hesitate to list this, but for me it's not as bad as I thought. Bigger screens are always preferred, but the image resolution is great even on the small screen.
transducer size: the 797 trans is smaller than the 997 but still about half the size of your palm. Not a big deal but you do want to think about the best spot to mount it so it works best. There's a Yahoo group where they help with that, or post here. If I can do it, anyone can. Like I said, it's also sensitive to speed and wave conditions, but at slow speeds I get a nice side image both sides of boat.
one MMC slot: not a big deal to me since Navionics Gold 2006 is built-in. As the maps age, maybe I'll cry about having to swap chips, but the price was right.
Well, this turned into a book. Sorry for the long post. Hope it helps! |
