Hummingbird 998c SI Perform as Stated?

tank1949

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 4, 2013
Messages
1,759
I fish in the Gulf Of Mexico and is is very salty. I have been examining performance claims on this unit and was wondering if it will do as ads state. I fish in 50-250' of water and do a lot of trolling, where I am also looking for debris and fish. Typically running about 3-8 mph... Most of the ads show SI in less than 30 feet of FRESH water and I suspect trolling via trolling motor. Any experience would be appreciated. TX!
 

Alumarine

Captain
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
3,684
Hi there. I don't know the answer but you could also try a humminbird forum.
w w w .bbcboards.net/humminbird-sonar-gps/
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
15,417
Any wave action and things go out the door pretty quick. Same for speeds over 3.5 kts
 
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RvL3RN

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 21, 2014
Messages
31
I fish in the Gulf Of Mexico and is is very salty. I have been examining performance claims on this unit and was wondering if it will do as ads state. I fish in 50-250' of water and do a lot of trolling, where I am also looking for debris and fish. Typically running about 3-8 mph... Most of the ads show SI in less than 30 feet of FRESH water and I suspect trolling via trolling motor. Any experience would be appreciated. TX!

I bet you'll find your answer here: http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com
 

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
I have a 798c SI, my screen is smaller but the units are similar.

Side imaging is the same as down imaging except for the shape of the beam and the way it is displayed. Nothing Magic involved.
Two side pulses are are sent, one to each side in an extremely narrow beam.
You must be at trolling/idle speeds. 2-6mph. If stopped/too slow the display is nearly meaningless.
The display prints, based on when the pulse returned.
A fish 100 feet straight down and another 100 feet to the side will echo at the same time and display as a swimming pair.

Side image range is about 240 feet in radius. In 250 feet of water, there will be no bottom return.
In 150 feet of water you will be able to see about 200 feet of bottom detail to either side. 400 feet side to side.

A sunken boat actually looks like an identifiable boat. Really cool!
Big fish actually look like a big fish, not arched returns.

Overall, Side imaging operates as advertised, it will take a little time to learn to interpret the display.
It is a bit distorted from what you may be expecting.
A vertical pole out to the side will appear to be leaning toward the boat because the top of the pole is closer than the bottom.
 
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