Going to buy my first depthfinder.

[Joolz]

Okay. I've read a bunch of articles and watched several videos on depth finders.

I'm looking to spend around $1000.

I definitely want GPS and Sideimaging or Lowrance's equivalent (it's more expensive from Lowrance, right?)

I'm leaning toward Humminbird for now. I just don't know which series to get. Is a 7" screen a big difference from 5"?

Thanks.

[BassThumb]

I'm thinking of doing the same, but probably won't be able to until midsummer. From what I hear, they say 5" is great for a standard depthfinder, but when you want to start splitting up the screen with side imaging and GPS, it's best to go with 7" and up or you'll regret not shelling out a couple hundred more when you had the chance.

I personally think the location in the boat matters quite a bit when deciding which size to choose. Will it be next to the boat's console 2' away from your face and nearly at eye level, or on a mount near your feet on the casting deck?

This is the one I like:

http://store.humminbird.com/products/310605/798c_SI_Combo

[Fishing Rhino]

Here's another, perhaps important, consideration.  I checked out the 700 series and did not see that they were Navionics or Lakemaster compatible.

If you are primarily fishing a few local lakes/ponds,  and not venturing to new horizons, it might not be a major consideration.

But if you do plan to venture forth to new horizons on occasion, it's something to which you should give a measure of consideration.

That will bump you up another five bills to the 898, plus the chips.

[fishfordollars]

There is a huge difference from the five to the seven or eight inch screen for me. Get the largest you can afford, you will not regret it. As for Lowrance being more expensive, it just depends on what you want. I have fished behind both and prefer the Lowrance, but that's not to say the bird is not a quality unit. They both have pros and cons. The HDS-8 lowrance has the on screen touch points that I like and it saves a little time to access certain functions, but that may not be an issue for you. It also will run you a lot more money than you are willing to spend. Try to fish with someone that has both and then make your own decision.

Good luck

[Wayne P.]

Fishing Rhino, the Humminbird 798 is Navionics Hotmaps Premium and Lakemaster compatable. It is not Navionics Hotmaps Platinum compatable.

Some of the non SI 700 models may be the same way. If they are not when purchased due to age in stock, they can be upgraded with FREE software for Lakemaster.

Even my several year old Matrix 97 is Lakemaster compatable after this upgrade:

Free Download:

Matrix 97 Update (version 4.750 - 0 bytes)

Description:

1/14/2010 12:00:00 AM - v4.750 Adds LakeMaster compatibility. Adds GPS improvements. Adds new 2D sonar color palettes. Improves trolling motor noise rejection. Fixes Track offset issue. Changes Depth Alarm Setting to be maintained in memory upon Power Off. Automatically restores defaults when reprogramming unit. Fixes Disabled GPS output. Fixes Snapshots not displaying in POS mode. Fixes Navionics library drawing when no map is available. Fixes various cosmetic and minor operational defects. Switchfire was made available in a previous release. It is automatically included in this update.

The 798 non-NVB suggested retail is $999.00 and can be purchased for less.

[Joolz]

Alright. BeaverIslander brought up a great question. I can only afford one quality depthfinder right now. I have a 16' tiller. Should it be in the back or in the front?

I don't think this will influence which one I buy, but it's still a good thing to consider.

After thinking about it, I don't want to go with anything less than the 798 series.

Based on my understanding of Navionics, I will want the compatibility with it.

By the way, can someone give me a quick rundown on the advantages of Navionics? Is it just a contoured map of the lake on my unit? Like a paper map replacement?

So now, due to the Navionics issue, it looks like the 898 is my lowest grade option. I should be able to save like $100 from buying off eBay and just going to Humminbird if I have any issues in the future.

Is there a special transducer or any extra accessories I should be getting with the unit?

Thanks guys.

[Wayne P.]

Joolz, the Humminbird SI and Lowrance units with Structure Scan are Navionics compatable. Just some are not Navionics Hotmaps Platinum compatable, all are Hotmaps Premium compatable.

Navionics software IS the contour lines like a paper topo map and the Navionics Hotmaps Premium and Platinum versions have the HD surveyed bodies of water (1' contour lines).

Some prefer the Lowrance Hotspots mapping software for their Lowrance units for certain bodies of water.

There is nothing less than the 798 in a SI model. It is the smallest screen size, but with the highest resolution screen in the industry.

Most single unit set-ups are used at the gas outboard control area. I have mine set up for the console or trolling motor (HB 798 as a quick disconnect mount).

[Bassin_0502]

Just food for thought about the image size, a 5" screen is 25 square inches vs 49 square inches for the 7. So the 7 will really give you twice the viewing area. (If the 5 and 7 inch dimensions were diagonals, the numbers will be a little different, point is the same though.)

[jettech]

My 798 is mounted forward of my windshield.  I use the swivel mount feature to turn it forward.  then I can use the Universal sonar transducer in my Trolling motor when fishing.  When driving the boat I use the side scan on the rear transducer.  One screen, one location, two inputs.

[Fishing Rhino]

Alright. BeaverIslander brought up a great question. I can only afford one quality depthfinder right now. I have a 16' tiller. Should it be in the back or in the front?

I don't think this will influence which one I buy, but it's still a good thing to consider.

After thinking about it, I don't want to go with anything less than the 798 series.

Based on my understanding of Navionics, I will want the compatibility with it.

By the way, can someone give me a quick rundown on the advantages of Navionics? Is it just a contoured map of the lake on my unit? Like a paper map replacement?

So now, due to the Navionics issue, it looks like the 898 is my lowest grade option. I should be able to save like $100 from buying off eBay and just going to Humminbird if I have any issues in the future.

Is there a special transducer or any extra accessories I should be getting with the unit?

Thanks guys.

Sorry that my prior post stated that the 798 was not compatible with Navionics.  I stand corrected, though there is nothing on the Humminbird product site which states that it is compatible, while it does for the 800, 900, 1100 series do.

Your best bet is to contact a dealer or Humminbird regarding Navionic compatibility to settle it in your mind.

No need to spend the extra 500 bucks when the 798 will do what you want.

[Wayne P.]

Bassin_0502, the 798 screen physical size is 3 5/8" X 3 5/8". It is 5" diagonal.

The 800 and 900 screens are rectangular (not square)and the specs list the diagonal size. Some state that the view screen loss with numerical data at the left of the screen on the 800 series makes the functional screen size about the same as the 700 series.

Fishing Rhino, this page on the Humminbird web site states what units are compatable with what mapping software:

http://www.humminbird.com/leading_innovation/cartography-gps-maps.aspx