First time out with the new H-Bird 898.................

[jdw174]

and it's everything I hoped it would be.  Thanks to forum member R520DVX who did the installation.  It's a lot simpler to use than the Lowrance 334ci unit it replaced.  The menu is easy to follow.  I spent some time setting in the garage playing with it in simulator mode (you can see your adjustments and save them while in this mode) so it was ready when I hit the water.  Any regrets?  Just one....that I didn't have the money to get the big screen 1197. 8-)

[R520dvx]

Jim .... I'm glad you are enjoying the unit ... maybe next year we will move that 898 up front and put you an 1197 at the console !! Have fun learning all the features and finding those fish !!

[Mr. Swabby(aka westtennessee1)]

JDW/DVX,

I'm a relatively new bass boat owner but have fished my entire life. I own and '09 BassTracker190TX(09) with a MERC115. Love the boat but looking at upgrading stock electronics to a Hummingbird 998. Couple of questions, first I am an experienced aircraft electrician, should I attempt to install myself, any special tools required? Second, will having the new electronics reduce my battery life significantly? Last, and I appreciate your opinion, should I get the model with hotmaps preinstalled or buy the chip seperate? Thanks!

Jeff :-/

[sodaksker]

JDW/DVX,

I'm a relatively new bass boat owner but have fished my entire life. I own and '09 BassTracker190TX(09) with a MERC115. Love the boat but looking at upgrading stock electronics to a Hummingbird 998. Couple of questions, first I am an experienced aircraft electrician, should I attempt to install myself, any special tools required? Second, will having the new electronics reduce my battery life significantly? Last, and I appreciate your opinion, should I get the model with hotmaps preinstalled or buy the chip seperate? Thanks!

Jeff :-/

I know you weren't asking me but, I'll chime in anyway, as I have been planning my own installation of hbird SI

I would bet you can do the installation. It is just a matter of pulling wires to the desired install areas. One of the important things in regard to SI is the position of your si transducer. I am sure with a little research you will learn the correct position for your boat.

As far as the battery life, I do not believe it will significantly affect the life anymore than any other fishfinder on the market but, that is a plain old wag. It will give you a readout of your voltage though.

If you can get NVB for less than a $100 adder, I would do it. The last time I purchased a navionics chip, it was $120 for just the one region. With the NVB I believe you get all regions for the US and you don't have to mess with the chips.

good luck