Humminbird 899Ci Si Unit Question(S)

[Lucky Craft Man]

I am ready to pull the trigger on a Humminbird 899ci SI Unit and even after researching like crazy, I still have some questions.  First, I know I will have to upgrade from the 455kHz transducer to the 800 kHz transducer.  Second, I have the Ram Mount picked out that I want.  However, after that I am still a little unsure.  What else will I need to buy to install this unit or will everything be included in the box of the 899?  I also know I want to add a N avionics Chip to cover PA, Great Lakes, and NY, but I am not sure which one is the best.  Any help you guys can offer will be greatly appreciated!

[Hi Salenity]

The transducer you are wanting to upgrade to costs $200+

I'd get a 998 or 999.

[slonezp]

First, as far as the transducer goes, when you open the box, DO NOT open the bag with the transducer. Call Humminbird and tell them you want to upgrade to the 455/800 transducer. They will give you a confirmation number, and as soon as they receive the transducer along with a check to cover the upgrade and shipping(under $100), they will ship the new one back to you. Secondly, everything is included for a basic transom installation. Lastly, look into the Lakemaster card for the areas you are interested in. Johnson Outdoors owns Humminbird and Lakemaster. You can do a lot more with the LM card tied in with the HB graph than the Navionics card such as shading and water level offsets. Another nice feature is LM allows you to view the lakes in simulator mode. If you're planning a trip for instance, you can pull the lake up on the graph and scout it out, and set up shading and offsets before you're on the water. IMO the HD lakes on the LM card are more detailed than the HD lakes on the Navionics. Navionics has more coverage and I do use both brands of cards.  

[Hi Salenity]

I'm not 100% sure but I don't think all the map cards work with the 899. I'm thinking the Navionics platinum? Won't work? Someone smarter than me will be along shortly.

[slonezp]

I'm not 100% sure but I don't think all the map cards work with the 899. I'm thinking the Navionics platinum? Won't work? Someone smarter than me will be along shortly.

From what I understand it was a software issue when they were first released. I believe the Navionics cards now work with the "9" series units.  

[Wayne P.]

The 899 is shipped with the Compact SI transducer and the unit is set to use that transducer (Default setting).

You can change the Transducer Select in the unit menu to Hi-def Sidescan to add 800 kHz and/or you can exchange the Compat SI transducer for the HDSI transducer which is 2" longer, has longer SI crystals which produce a sharper image.

 

The 899 is Platinum compatable (with current software) and it always was Premium, Gold, and Navionics+ compatable. The Platninum version has 3D, Satellite Overlay, and Port photos (gimmick stuff) and it has the Sonar Charts feature.

The Platinum and Premium versions are regional specific, check the regional coverages on the Navionics web site.

 

Lakemaster has ZERO coverage for Pa or any other states in the N.E. and Mid Atlantic area. Check the Humminbird web site Lakemaster listings.

 

The best Navionics product is Navionics+. It comes with no maps, you choose what to download to the map card from anywhere in the country including all parts of the Great Lakes.

It has the Sonar Charts feature also.

[Slade House]

i bought an used 998 off ebay recently for $875, highly considering selling it because of issues with the screen not being bright enough 

[Wayne P.]

i bought an used 998 off ebay recently for $875, highly considering selling it because of issues with the screen not being bright enough 

You must have the 998c SI Combo with CCFL backlighting.

The 998c HD SI Combo has the brighter LED backlighting. 

 

There is only one 899 so far which is the 899ci HD SI Combo

[Lucky Craft Man]

Well, I walked into Cabelas today with the intent on purchasing a Humminbird 899ci SI Unit and walked out with a Lowrance HDS7 Gen 2 Touch (with Structure Scan). Playing with the two units, it just hit me that I really like a touch screen and I also liked that the lakes I fish the most were preloaded in the Lowrance (no extra $179 for a Navionics+ Chip). The $400 off didn't hurt either. I don't know if I made a good choice, but man that touch screen is nice (this touch screen world has ruined me from buttons).

I want to thank everyone for their help! I do appreciate it.