Side Imaging

[fishingfourfun]

I am looking to buy a 798 side imaging fishfinder. My question is what will I need to be able to use it on another boat?  I would like to be able to transfer it from one boat to another.

[Ken in NJ]

You'll need an extra transducer and / or extra power cable and mount too. Thats the stuff that normally stays "fixed" on a boat.

[Tpayneful]

You need the following:

MS M Unit Mount $32.99

PC1 Power Cable $13.99

XNT 9 SI 180 T SI Transducer $174.99

Mount these in the second boat.  Just pop off the unit and move to the second boat.

[fishingfourfun]

Thanks Tpayneful, I hope to be purchasing really soon. I like the images from the Lowrance Structure Scan but the price is very steep and a second setup would be 599!

[Tpayneful]

I am really happy with my choice and I think you will like it too!

[acar555]

Unless you get an internal gps model you would need a second gps puck as well.

[Wayne P.]

The 798ci SI is the model with the internal GPS antenna.

I have the second mount, power cord, and SI trolling motor transducer so I can use mine when fishing electric only waters also.

[fishingfourfun]

Is there any difference between and internal and external antenna other than the obvious.  I have seen them placed at the console and the transom. 

[Bassnajr]

By the way...I was thinking Lowrance for side/down imaging...now thinking H. Bird......

Go to the different bass forums FOR SALE areas and take a look. Lots of folks dumping them. Problems first started with the 5" now spreading to the bigger sizes...many bugs..some being pulled of the shelf at BPS before they were sold.

KARMA????? :-/

[fishingfourfun]

Any idea on what it would cost to install a 798 side imaging fishfinder on a bass boat?

[Wayne P.]

It shouldn't cost anything to get one installed. It is easy to do yourself.

The performance of the internal and external GPS antennas are the same since they are the same. Some prefer the remote antenna mounted above the transducer so the marked waypoint and the sonar return are exactly the same location. There is enough error in GPS for it to not be a big issue.

Bassnajr, the HDS-7 was the one with the water problem due to bad gaskets. A lot LEI owners got fed up with the lack of customer service and frequent failures.

[Bassnajr]

I am just going by the boards, but I believe you, Wayne. Seems like a lot of them for sale.

[Tpayneful]

Fishingfourfun,

   I you can handle a drill and a screwdriver you can handle the installation.  It is easy.  I would use the Humminbird mount so that you can take the unit inside when you are not using it.

The transducer placement is important.  You need to follow the directions as to where to mount it.  The other thing to concider is buying a regular transducer and either a switch or Y cable.  The SI transducer doesn't work well when you get on plane.  I have a transducer switch and use the original transducer that is epoxied into the boat when running on plane.

It is well documented that a ton of Lowrance units have had leakage problems.  They supposedly have fixed the problem but there are a lot of units out there that may have the problem.  It isn't just HD units, it has affected multiple Lowrance and Eagle units.  Repair times take up to months to get the units back.