Going to buy side imaging - any last words?

[BigEbass]

But at the brightest setting is the 997 sufficiently bright for sunny conditions?

[burleytog]

I have no experience with the larger units, but one thing I like about the 788ci is the ability to select different background colors.  White background is great during the day, blue or black is great at night.

I will say that even at it's dimmest, both blue and black tend to be a little too bright at night. 

[Wayne P.]

burley, I like the color choices for background too. The color choices for SI and color choices for 2D sonar along with the different background colors is quite an array.

[Dogface]

Best photo I could find on the net to give an idea....

That is very similar to my War eagle. My console is not as nice. I put the Lowrance unit on top directly behind the windscreen. I'll put the HB in the same location.

[burleytog]

As for mounting, RAM Mount RAM Mount RAM Mount!!!!

Not the best photo, but it shows how the RAM Mount elevates the graph.

Also allows the graph to be tilted & swiveled above what the HB base does.

[Wayne P.]

burley, do you have the 21 different color combos with the 7 sonar pallets and the 3 screen colors?

[nhbass]

buy side imaging it is VERY useful!!!!

[burleytog]

burley, do you have the 21 different color combos with the 7 sonar pallets and the 3 screen colors?

Not sure.  I haven't installed the latest upgrade yet.  Haven't had the time to write down my settings so I can revert to default before installation.

[BigEbass]

Yeah, I will definately look into getting a Ram Mount tomorrow when I get my new unit - I still would like the 997 since it technically is in my budget - but will I be able to see it during sunny days, which is alot of days Ill be fishing in summer??  Would hate to pay for the big unit that I cannot see the detail on - I guess worst case scenario I could create a small hood for it to minimize this issue - it would be easy to make.  I guess I can Ram mount that 997 onto my humble console?

Any suggestions about my installation that I will undertake this weekend - its seems simple enough - just the transducer seems like the trickiest part as people have said that you have to set it just right to give you the best results.

[I Love BassResource]

My lowrance install was a breeze, I only took off my bird install but I expect its even easier as you don't need to run the extra module.  I mounted mine to the jack plate, but I'm contemplating moving it to my trolling motor. My unit picks up great at 2-3 mph. I flipped it around this weekend using my ram mount and was watching it as I trolled along. 

[BigEbass]

Not that it matters - I think the boat I posted was not the exact same as my boat - my console is a bit more humble than that one - it has no gauges on it, only a few switches - here is the one I think that is identicle to mine.

[BigEbass]

My little boat has been a joy so far - cant wait to get the side imaging tomorrow - I feel like its the night before christmas and cannot go to sleep 

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Lol.  Can't blame you.

[burleytog]

I would remove that graph at the console, put the new graph there and move the old one to the front.

[jettech]

I had a 798si on my last boat.  all i can tell you about the install is make sure you get the boat level, and that the transducer is level in relation to the boat.  I got mine wrong the first try and got little or no scanning on the left hand side till I got it corrected.  Im watching your thread as IM going through the same descision process right now.

[BigEbass]

I would remove that graph at the console, put the new graph there and move the old one to the front.

That is what I am thinking actually - what is the easiest way to install my old graph onto the bow?

[BigEbass]

I had a 798si on my last boat. all i can tell you about the install is make sure you get the boat level, and that the transducer is level in relation to the boat. I got mine wrong the first try and got little or no scanning on the left hand side till I got it corrected. Im watching your thread as IM going through the same descision process right now.

hopefully the manual will offer good advice on proper installation as it relates to this?  When you say "level" - do you mean level with the hull or more level with the water when moving at say 2-3 mph - the boat likely lifts up just a bit so I am guessing the transducer will point long ways downard slightly and laterally though it should be perfectly parallell to the hull I would think - hopefully the manual offers a good process.

I havent really thought much about the trolling motor mount option - if it will work just as good in da back, then that will be fine with me - although on the rare occassion that I am on a trolling motor only pond there is this issue...but even then I could troll from the bow and watch the screen "well enough" perhaps - I will just need a second unit later

[Wayne P.]

BigEbass, you can set yours up like I did mine. I got an extra mount, power cord, and trolling motor transducer so I could use the 798ci SI on the bow when I am fishing electric only waters. The internal GPS antenna makes the switch a "snap".

Level is the attitude of the transducer when on the water when you are using the SI (parallel to the bottom of the body of water). If you plan on using the SI transducer for on-plane navigation, then it needs to be parallel with the boat hull and maybe a little tilted with the trailing edge down.

If you want to use the unit you have now on the bow, you can get the transducer adaptor to mount it or get the transducer that is made for that application (puck)

[BigEbass]

Good points wayne, thats a great idea about 2 mounts....how much is a 2nd transducer?  And have you had problems with the internal GPS unit?

[Wayne P.]

No problems with the internal antenna. The only units I know of that did have a problem with the internal antenna was the 300 and 500 series Lowrance units. That deficiency was corrected in the HDS units.

The trolling motor SI transducer was about $175.00