Is it wrong to... (FF Question)

[wihil]

Is it wrong to put a FF/GPS combo that cost 5 times what I paid for my boat/trailer/motor into it?

I don't have a fish finder other than my icefishing flasher (Marcum VX1P) and my GPS is an old school, hiking , number's only unit from Garmin a loooooooooooong time ago. I've been using the ol' map and guess technique, but I'd sure like to step into today's technology.

I got spoiled the other day out fishing with some friends, one's got the full off Lowrance rig (HDS10 with SS, HDS7 up front linked in), and another's got the top end 9 series Humminbird. Both guys fish a lot, and we've got a lot of water to cover - if you look at Wisconsin, that huge lake on the east side of the state is Winnebago and is only a few miles from my front door.

The structure scan and side scan is just awesome - I've never seen such detail and information, even just cruising along. Completely changed the way I thought about sonar and how/where to fish.

I don't want to get into a brand war - they're both outstanding units IMO and each have their own pluses/minuses.

The big part of the questions is, can a FF be considered an investment? I'd sure like to increase the quality of the fish I've been catching as well as find new areas to fish.

C

 

[redbug]

no its not wrong if you can afford it do it.
I have the hds 7 on my front deck

 

[wihil]

I'd really like a 7" screen, but wow there's a price difference between the 5 and the 7.

Does anyone know if you can shrink or turn off the Humminbird units display/overlay? That eats up a lot of screen real estate on the 898.

C

 

[redbug]

what are you trying to shrink? the map data? or the depth info?
imo the 7" screen is the smallest size to get
the 5" screen is tough to see the detail when you have the 3 way split screen

 

[wihil]

I guess it would be the depth info - on the 898 it just looks like the unit display area (temp/speed/depth/etc) takes up a lot of the screen - I figure that if I'd be running the side scan (which already has depth units on it) and the GPS it'd be nice to maximize the display area.

C

 

[redbug]

You should be able to resize the screen on the lowrance it can be done I have about 1" of the screen that gives me the standard depth the rest of the screen is used for the structure scan.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

I have been using HB SI for about 5 years. First a 797, and then 798. Yes, the smallest screen versions. I wish the 1100 price wasn't an issue. The smaller screen is still very capable of finding good fishing structure. I very seldom split screen. I have the three "special" display buttons set-up for SI, 2D, and GPS. Push a button, and go direct to that screen. Seeing fish in the small SI screen, is fairly difficult. Once I upload a pic to pc, then I see them.

All HB screens are predefined. Numerous people have requested the ability to reduce the size or eliminate the digital display numbers, to get back valuable screen real estate. While it is probably on the list of S/W enhancements for the future, there is no confirmation from HB. They were busy this spring with enabling and using the ethernet ports that came on recent models. Also, a long awaited waypoint management change has yet to be released.

Overall, a very HB happy camper. HB has provided allot of new features over time, in free S/W loads. Not just bug fixes.

 

[wihil]

Thanks for the detailed response on the HB unit, John!

Do you know if you can link the upper end units (798-1198)

As much as I want a larger screen, the budget allowed (and then some) puts me in the 5" catagory with either the HDS5 or the 798SI. I've had a chance to play around with the HDS emulator a bit, I with Humminbird had something similar as I wouldn't feel so awkward asking questions without knowing the correct name of the item.

I know from a friend of mine with the HDS10 that the new software really helped with the GPS waypoints (he's got a billion on his, and it slowed the unit down - now it's back up to full speed), I wasn't aware that Humminbird's possibly had the same issue. It's great to see that they're constantly upgrading their software.

I really like the one transducer/no additional hardware for the HB unit, but I also like all the control that the HDS series has.

Either way I'll be in for at least a grand on either. Time to start watching for Cabela's Sales...

C

 

[fender66]

Not wrong at all. You can keep them when you upgrade the boat....if you ever do.

I'm running a HB7 series with SS in the front and without SS in the back of mine. Love 'em both.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Do you know if you can link the upper end units (798-1198)

If those units are 2011 models, they should have an ethernet port that will allow networking. Older units used different h/w for networking and was not nearly as robust.

I can't help you with comparing to a Lowrance SS. I have so many HB stations on different boats, plus portable set-ups, that there would have to be a very significant tech advantage for me to ever switch.

 

[fender66]

BTW....Cabella's is expensive....I bought both of mine from here. Best price I found anywhere.

https://www.universalmania.com/index.asp

 

[wihil]

Wow - huge price difference over Cabelas! Thanks for the site info, Chris!

Now that puts things into a different perspective, as the 7" 898 is back in line with the absolute maximum of my budget but the 798 is well within it.

That didn't make it any easier. :lol: #-o But I still greatly appreciate all the help guys!

C

 

[FuzzyGrub]

BTW....Cabella's is expensive....I bought both of mine from here. Best price I found anywhere.

https://www.universalmania.com/index.asp

FWIW: My 798ci was purchased from them. No issues, and they sent me a pdf invoice for warrentee purposes.