DelcoSol Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 Hey guys. I saw a great sale at GM and picked up a 798si Hummingbird. I was wondering if there is anything I should be aware of while or before installing it? I have heard some horror stories about software updates so should I hold off updating it? Also I have a Tracker Pro 165 and want to mount it at the console. Does anyone else have this boat with any mounted pics? This will be my first time installing one. It seems pretty simple the only thing that worries me is the transducer placement so any pics of that would be awesome too. I am excited to learn this unit. I am going from the stock Lowrance X4 so it it a huge upgrade. I know the screen is small but I opted for smaller screen with side imaging vs larger without it. Eventually I will probably get a larger one and move this to the bow. Thanks again guys. Frank Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted February 9, 2014 Super User Posted February 9, 2014 What does the transom look like--straight or stepped? Where is the present transducer. Quote
Smokinal Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 You're gonna love that thing. Sure it's small, but what it does makes up for it (I've lived by that motto for years btw...) There are pretty good instructions with it that really narrow the installation down for you. I watched a couple of vids on youtube also that helped. Just don't rush, do some homework on it and take your time; you'll be good. Quote
DelcoSol Posted February 10, 2014 Author Posted February 10, 2014 Transom is straight. Present one is mounted at the bottom. My issue is that will it work ok if the transducer is above the bottom of the hull to protect it from debris? Quote
Super User slonezp Posted February 10, 2014 Super User Posted February 10, 2014 Transom is straight. Present one is mounted at the bottom. My issue is that will it work ok if the transducer is above the bottom of the hull to protect it from debris? It has a kick up bracket if you hit anything. If it kicks up you would need to manually put it back into place. Transducer Shield and Saver makes a spring back bracket which pops it up if you hit anything but automatically springs it back into place. Quote
Smokinal Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 ^^^This, and you want water moving over it so they recommend the bottom of the ducer to be about 1/8 under the bottom of the boat. You'll see all that in the instructions too. Quote
DelcoSol Posted February 12, 2014 Author Posted February 12, 2014 Just got it in the mail today. Installation seems to be pretty simple. Learning to use it is another story all together.. Do I need to buy a map card? Most of the lakes I fish are not anything huge or well known. Also, could the unit be powered by the trolling motor battery to display battery volatge on screen or will that cause too much interference? Quote
Super User slonezp Posted February 12, 2014 Super User Posted February 12, 2014 Power it off the starting battery. The TM battery will surely cause interference. As far as map cards, the unit has built in mapping. If your lakes aren't on there, you can check for coverage on the Navionics web app http://www.navionics.com/en/webapp and the Lakemaster website http://www.lakemap.com/Find-a-Lake/#.Uvr1r6-YZqM Quote
Waterlogged Posted February 14, 2014 Posted February 14, 2014 I just purchased this same unit and installed it on a Tracker 175 TXW. I've had it on the water once. The unit seems to work excellent. My original installation of the transducer proved to be a little low so I raised it slightly but haven't had it back out yet. One neat thing about this unit is if you put a SD card in it, it will take a screen shot anytime you set a waypoint. Quote
Talonman Posted February 14, 2014 Posted February 14, 2014 Yes... What I have... (1) Humminbird Model: 798CI HD(1) SanDisk 8 GB Class 4 SD Flash Memory Card SDSDB-008G-AFFP - $7.57(1) Lakemaster 6000151 Digital GPS Electronic Fishing Chart - $91.46(Great Lakes - Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky) I was reading in the forums about the max speed of the Flash Memory card you select. Some were posting online that they bought a faster memory card, but it wasent working well with the 798. ( determined by Class ) I wrote Humminbird, told them I had the 798, and wanted the biggest, fastest memory card that works with my unit. I told them to go to Amazon, and post me a direct link to what they think would work best for me. The above card was it, with the caution to not pass a Class 4 speed. Pictures of my install, which was done by the Lund dealer for me. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130241-in-love-with-my-2014-lund-fury/ I know nothing about the software updates. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted February 14, 2014 Super User Posted February 14, 2014 Yes... What I have... (1) Humminbird Model: 798CI HD (1) SanDisk 8 GB Class 4 SD Flash Memory Card SDSDB-008G-AFFP - $7.57 (1) Lakemaster 6000151 Digital GPS Electronic Fishing Chart - $91.46 (Great Lakes - Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky) I was reading in the forums about the max speed of the Flash Memory card you select. Some were posting online that they bought a faster memory card, but it wasent working well with the 798. ( determined by Class ) I wrote Humminbird, told them I had the 798, and wanted the biggest, fastest memory card that works with my unit. I told them to go to Amazon, and post me a direct link to what they think would work best for me. The above card was it, with the caution to not pass a Class 4 speed. Pictures of my install, which was done by the Lund dealer for me. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130241-in-love-with-my-2014-lund-fury/ I know nothing about the software updates. I use the SanDisk Extreme in my 798. The write time is faster so you can take consecutive screen shots with less delay. Been saving screen shots and recording since November 2009. Class 10 cards are recommended by their Pro Staff. Humminbird units can use up to a 32 GB size card. I tend to use smaller size cards for screen shots when not recording--takes less time to format them. Quote
Talonman Posted February 14, 2014 Posted February 14, 2014 The faster cards do work... But your recordings may suffer... http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=lbk8vchiq6f53gr9v7nknq8lj4&topic=2884.0 Be sure to check the last post for the image problem solution... I found a 2GB SanDisk SD Ultra card, Speed class 4 (15 MB/s) and tested on water today - all gaps are gone!! I used the latest firmware update for the 981, 4.950. The newer and faster cards will rest in the drawer until there is a fix for them. Or perhaps my stepdaughter wants them for her camera? Relieved...Rickard Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted February 14, 2014 Super User Posted February 14, 2014 The faster cards do work... But your recordings suffer... http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=lbk8vchiq6f53gr9v7nknq8lj4&topic=2884.0 Glad I didn't have the 'Pro Staff' answer my question! Be sure to check the last post for the image problem solution... I found a 2GB SanDisk SD Ultra card, Speed class 4 (15 MB/s) and tested on water today - all gaps are gone!! I used the latest firmware update for the 981, 4.950. The newer and faster cards will rest in the drawer until there is a fix for them. Or perhaps my stepdaughter wants them for her camera? Relieved... Rickard You are correct, I only have 4 years of experience doing recordings and snapshots. About 200 recordings so far. The 981 has a very slow processor compared to models after that one. Software versions are past 6.000 now. The 981 has been left in the dust as far as capabilities and processing.They were 2005/2006 models.. BTW, Rickard is in Sweden and that post was from 2011 and his unit was already two generations old. Quote
Talonman Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 I guess the guy at Hummingbird gave me bad info in July of 2013. Funny how both the thread, and the dude at Hummingbird went with a Class 4. Odd... I would think the problem has more to do with the hardware of the reader, than a software update, but who knows. OP will have to go with what he thins is best for him, as we both like our current cards. Talonman out! Quote
DelcoSol Posted February 15, 2014 Author Posted February 15, 2014 Thanks for the info guys. I can't wait to install and try this thing out. So which card should I get then? Quote
Super User slonezp Posted February 15, 2014 Super User Posted February 15, 2014 Thanks for the info guys. I can't wait to install and try this thing out. So which card should I get then? http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/127262-navionics-or-lakemaster-sd-card/ Quote
Mr_Scrogg Posted February 16, 2014 Posted February 16, 2014 My 798. Finally got warm enough to mount it. Quote
Talonman Posted February 16, 2014 Posted February 16, 2014 Looking good Man!! I have also confirmed my info was incorrect about Max Class speed that you can successfully use being 4. Listen to Wayne P. The fact is... He is an expert on these units. Apologies to you Sir, I stand corrected. I would just like to say I did suppy Wayne with a picture, to insure I wasent just telling a fish story about contacting support. Quote
dfris Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 I have the 598 si, It has the same screen as the 798, just remember to set your si view to about 75 feet or less. it will help the screen image size big time. Enjoy Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted February 28, 2014 Super User Posted February 28, 2014 I have the 598 si, It has the same screen as the 798, just remember to set your si view to about 75 feet or less. it will help the screen image size big time. Enjoy Good suggestion. Another one is choose to view one side only in the SI view. That will make the displayed subjects twice the size on the screen with the same SI range setting. Quote
camovan Posted March 1, 2014 Posted March 1, 2014 I use the SanDisk Extreme in my 798. The write time is faster so you can take consecutive screen shots with less delay. Been saving screen shots and recording since November 2009. Class 10 cards are recommended by their Pro Staff. Humminbird units can use up to a 32 GB size card. I tend to use smaller size cards for screen shots when not recording--takes less time to format them. Being a new user with the same unit as the OP I have to ask, what is the avg format time of a 32gb card and how often does this need to be done? Do I need more than one card? What is the "smaller" size card you use? I plan to do mapping if that matters. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 1, 2014 Super User Posted March 1, 2014 Being a new user with the same unit as the OP I have to ask, what is the avg format time of a 32gb card and how often does this need to be done? Do I need more than one card? What is the "smaller" size card you use? I plan to do mapping if that matters. Don't remember. I only used the 32 GB twice and found out I don't NEED that much memory for the recordings I do. I just remember it takes a lot longer than I want to wait for a format. I format every time after I upload recordings to the Sonar Charts program then copy the data from the card to a flash drive for storage. I have over a dozen cards of various sizes and speeds. I use an old 128 MB card for unit software updates. I use the 8 GB the most since I am used to the file sizes and how much data I typically record. I don't randomly record, I do that for a specific purpose and location. Right now I have 16 GB cards in two units and 8 GB in one. I'll be doing some recording tomorrow while testing the 360 so I'll be using a 16 GB to gather more data for improving a contour map of that location. I'll take an 8GB with me just in case. I will be just using one unit tomorrow since the lake is electric-only. Your results may vary. Quote
camovan Posted March 1, 2014 Posted March 1, 2014 Don't remember. I only used the 32 GB twice and found out I don't NEED that much memory for the recordings I do. I just remember it takes a lot longer than I want to wait for a format. I format every time after I upload recordings to the Sonar Charts program then copy the data from the card to a flash drive for storage. I have over a dozen cards of various sizes and speeds. I use an old 128 MB card for unit software updates. I use the 8 GB the most since I am used to the file sizes and how much data I typically record. I don't randomly record, I do that for a specific purpose and location. Right now I have 16 GB cards in two units and 8 GB in one. I'll be doing some recording tomorrow while testing the 360 so I'll be using a 16 GB to gather more data for improving a contour map of that location. I'll take an 8GB with me just in case. I will be just using one unit tomorrow since the lake is electric-only. Your results may vary. Thanks, will start with a 16gb card. Does the 798 take sd or micro sd cards? Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 1, 2014 Super User Posted March 1, 2014 Thanks, will start with a 16gb card. Does the 798 take sd or micro sd cards? It has SD card slots. You can use the microSD cards in a SD card adaptor. Most current Navionics mapping cards are microSD in a SD adaptor. Quote
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