I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a Hummingbird 999 side scan bottom machine. Anybody have any experience or opinions? I have read good and just enough bad to make me hesitate.
What do ya’ll think about these high tech machines?
Thanks in advance!
we have installed several of the earlier generation hummingbird side scan, and they were amazing to say the least.
I drove through the bridge at the Ashley marina, and could clearly see every piling base on both sides.
that and an I-pilot will change how you fish
I have the 2013 898SI transom mount.
I like the screen size and features.
Side Imaging works great for off shore or deeper water.
Side imaging can help you find structure, but does little to find fish (for me).
If there are fish they show up as little white specks, so small you can hardly see them or don’t show up at all. If you notice almost all Side imaging advertising images show structure but don’t really highlight the fish.
It does make some pretty cool pictures.
I use SI at the nearshore reefs to help locate structure. Trying to find a piece of structure using GPS coordinates and a down beam can be time consuming, with the side image, you can see left and right up to 120ft. It also works great around the jetties or other structure to display ground contours.
The split screen is very useful.
Navionics card makes it better.
Buttons are easy to use/navigate
The side imaging transducer is large and mine will trip and flip up when running. Then I loose bottom and have to go to the back of the boat and use my bait net handle to push it back in place. Others have this issue also.
If something happens and your external GPS puc stops working no maps will work. You cant manually zoom/scroll the map to approximate where you are, the system completely turns off all map features if your GPS puc fails or the wires come loose. Not a big deal until it stops working and you cant figure out why. And that brings me to the mounting system which tends to disconnect your GPS puc.
I remove the headunit after each trip which involves unscrewing the back wire retainer bracket and pulling the headunit from the base. When you reinstall for the next trip the wire retaining bracket doesn’t always push the wires back in correctly so you must ensure each wire is seated correctly. This shouldn’t be a problem if you flush mount.
Customer service was very nice as long as you called them during their hours. They did not respond to requests via e-mail or their online request form.
Best price I have found was on man
I have the lowrance hds touch.
As he said, it will change the way you fish or even chase bait pods.
It does very little for finding game fish, so I still use the color sonar for that.
I won’t go back to a traditional sounder since this unit came into my life.
I don’t even want to bottom fish friend’s boats anymore.
I’ve got the h-bird 798 w/si that money can’t buy if not replaceable.
It puts a whole new world in view, but you willhave to learn it. I also installed a thru hull transducer that eliminated
any of the other issues I’d heard of, especially high speed operation.
bit more expensive but imo well worth the performance benefit!!!
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
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Thank y’all very much for the insight! I had not considered the transducer issuer. If it Is much larger than a “normal” unit I will need to think about a through hull model. My boat is often beached on the sand bar and a large transducer could be damaged. I have never installed a through hull, but I bet I could figure it out.
Thanks again and I will keep y’all posted on the acquisition, installation, and usage.
ZX
Humminbird customer service is excellent. I called them last week for info on interfacing an 1158 to trolling motor, VHF/DSC and Yamaha Command Link system. No wait time, tech knew his stuff, spoke good Southernese English and in 5 minutes I learned everything I needed to know.
The side scan transducer is large compared to the standard. Much larger.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
Originally posted by chris Vwe have installed several of the earlier generation hummingbird side scan, and they were amazing to say the least.
I drove through the bridge at the Ashley marina, and could clearly see every piling base on both sides.
that and an I-pilot will change how you fishwww.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
x2 on this. Getting the Link to upgrade my I-pilot and merge with my 899 hd SI unit.
“I may be going to hell in a bucket. But at least I’m enjoying the ride”
Transducer I purchased is approx. 3" wide 5" long and 1-1/4" thick.
requires 1" hole thru hull and marine sealant. Mounted mine about
16" straight in line, forward of engine and on flat of hull surface.
Trans. comes with adapter plate that can be cut to angle if needed!!!
If you’re thinking along this line ,hope this info helps!!
PM me if you want.
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown