788c vs 798c SI

[Kurlee]

I had planned on getting the 788ci but I have just about talked myself into going for the 798ci SI especially since it now has the Down Imaging. Is the 798 worth the additional money?

I also have read that the 2D performance on the 798 is not as good as the 788. Can anyone confirm this? I know this topic has been beaten to death but I appreciate any input.

Also who has the lowest prices?

Thanks,

Keven

[Tpayneful]

I have a 788ci on the front of my boat and a 798c SI on the console.  I should have spent the extra money to get a 798ci SI on the front.  The 788 and 798 are identical units in every way except the 798 has side imaging and down imaging.  The 2D and GPS performance are the same.  I really like my 788 but I love my 798!

[Madd Lunacy]

I have the 798 and imo the down imaging on the 798 is fairly useless, but the side imaging is a must. I've never used the 788, but I would definitely go with the 798 because of the SI. If the down imaging is your deciding factor and you're not worried about the SI then you should probably get the 788.

[Kurlee]

Thanks for the responses. The down imaging isn't necessarily the deciding factor, just another plus.

Why do you find the down imaging "fairly useless"? Seems an image that looks more like a picture would be better than trying to interpret a traditional 2D sonar image.

[Tpayneful]

Down imaging is not available on the 788.  I would agree that down imaging is not a deal maker.  You have to be right over the object to figure out what it is.  You can easily see what it is with Side Imaging.  Side Imaging is a deal maker.

[Wayne P.]

The reason I purchased the SI technology in December was for the upcoming release of Down Imaging. While fishing the DI is a lot more useful than SI.

It shows me what the 2D sonar is displaying.

[Madd Lunacy]

The reason I purchased the SI technology in December was for the upcoming release of Down Imaging. While fishing the DI is a lot more useful than SI.

It shows me what the 2D sonar is displaying.

Wayne, you were able to get that image with the 798? If so, what are your settings? Are you using the HD ducer?

Thanks

[Wayne P.]

Madd Lunacy, yes my unit is the 798ci SI and that image was done the first opportunity I had to get on the water after the DI was available. Whatever the default settings are is what I had except for the 2D color and adding "white line" to the 2D setting.

My transducer is the Compact SI and not the HDSI.

I did this screen shot a few weeks later at the same lake:

[Madd Lunacy]

Madd Lunacy, yes my unit is the 798ci SI and that image was done the first opportunity I had to get on the water after the DI was available. Whatever the default settings are is what I had except for the 2D color and adding "white line" to the 2D setting.

My transducer is the Compact SI and not the HDSI.

I did this screen shot a few weeks later at the same lake:

I'm gonna have to do some tinkering then because I don't get an image even half as good as that.  I have read about others having the same complaint as I do.  I'll have to mess with it to find out what I'm doing wrong.

Kurlee,

I retract my statement about the DI being useless because Wayne has obviously proved me very wrong   

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Wayne, why must you keep teasing me with those shots.  I keep telling myself not to buy a side imaging unit for bass fishing and I see that.  Really is incredible the amount of detail you can get.  My credit card is still warm from the TV I bought recently, it just may melt if I keep seeing these SI images.

[Kurlee]

Thanks for the images Wayne. I ordered my 798 yesterday.

Keven

[Kurlee]

Well I got my 798 installed and took it out today for the first time and all I can say is WOW! Absolutely amazing. As impressed as I am with the SI the 2D is also fantastic.

Keven

[Wayne P.]

I found this "useless" Down Imaging screen shot on a Side Imaging website-note the depth:

[done]

Alright, you guys are ticking me off now. I have at least 4 months till I pay my boat off and start saving for one of these. These pics make me want to tear off the low end graph that came with my boat and heave it into the drink.

[Madd Lunacy]

I found this "useless" Down Imaging screen shot on a Side Imaging website-note the depth:

Didn't mean to hurt your feelings Wayne. : I was just giving my opinion, which if I read the thread starters post right that is what he was looking for. I was just going off of my experience with my unit and what I have read from other people saying the same thing about their 798 not getting a very good picture with the DI feature. I look forward to your posts about the 798 when ever the subject comes up because you seem to be very knowledgeable and experienced with it, and I try to soak in whatever info you're willing to provide. I was quick to retract my "useless" statement in my previous post once I saw your images, because you have the photographic proof that the DI for the 798 is in fact not useless.

All hail Wayne P.... The King of the 798!

[Wayne P.]

Madd, you haven't hurt my feelings, I'm just picking on you for that comment, LOL

I get lots of help with the adjustments by visiting the Side Imaging dedicated web sites and I take the time to try suggested settings. It also helps to have lakes with lots of unique features to test the settings.

I found some bulldozer tracks on a lake bottom that are at least 25 years old. I was amazed that they had not been silted in and the unit would even display them.

[Madd Lunacy]

Madd, you haven't hurt my feelings, I'm just picking on you for that comment, LOL

I get lots of help with the adjustments by visiting the Side Imaging dedicated web sites and I take the time to try suggested settings. It also helps to have lakes with lots of unique features to test the settings.

I found some bulldozer tracks on a lake bottom that are at least 25 years old. I was amazed that they had not been silted in and the unit would even display them.

I messed with the settings on mine off and on for about an hour on Saturday and still can't get it to work right.  If I turn the sensitivity all the way up the image is a little better, but nothing even close to the images you've been posting.  Hopefully I'll get it figured out at some point.  And believe me, I already feel dumb enough making the "useless" statement after seeing your pics.   ;D

[Wayne P.]

Think of the sensitivity as a screen brightness control and your images will improve. The higher the setting, the brighter the image. Adjust the sensitivity as the water depth changes.

I get the clearest images with Si colors Amber 1 and Brown. Some users like the Amber 2 for bright days.

[Kurlee]

I wasn't looking at the 798 for the down imaging. I just mentioned it as an additional interesting feature that helped push me into buying one. I'm glad I did now.

[Madd Lunacy]

Think of the sensitivity as a screen brightness control and your images will improve. The higher the setting, the brighter the image. Adjust the sensitivity as the water depth changes.

I get the clearest images with Si colors Amber 1 and Brown. Some users like the Amber 2 for bright days.

That's one thing I haven't messed with too much is the colors. I have been leaving it on Amber 2 most of the time. I will definitely give this a try. Thanks!

Here's an example of the images I'm getting with the DI.  This is an snapshot I took when I first got mine.  I'm only getting bits and pieces of what's actually down there.  Very frustrating.  :-/