Topic: Which SI/DI/360 model to choose?

[bigkahuna]

I'm looking for a sonar unit that will be used for SAR, bottom surveys, etc. so from the Humminbird features Side Imaging, Down Scan, 360 scan capable, 50 hz transducer capable, and ethernet capable are all my top priorities.  I hope to tie this in to a laptop for real time data recording and processing.  I looked into this a few years ago, then the project got scrubbed and now I find that all the models I looked at then are now discontinued.

From the Humminbird current models that support this include:

Onix 10ci si combo
Onix 8ci si combo
1199ci hd si combo
999ci hd si combo
899ci hd si combo

From what I can see, the Onix adds a built in bathy data to chart app and the 11, 10, 9 and 8 series indicate the screen size.  So if I were to run Reef Master on a laptop with an 899ci hd si, would I then have the equivalent features to the Onix 8ci si?  Or are there other features that I hadnt noticed that would benefit me?

EDIT:  I also noticed that all the above units now support NMEA 2000, which could be a problem when I try to interface with other hardware.  And I also see the DR DEPTH is now rebranded and included with the Onix units.  I also found that the older units (798ci, 698ci, 598ci, and 398ci) are still available and support SI/CI, but only the 798ci hd si supports SI/CI and 360 scan as well as ethernet.  So the 798 may be the most cost effective solution for me.

Sorry for the rambling post, but with so many new models and technology it's quite a bit to digest.

[Humminbird_Greg]

The 798ci HD Si units do not have the 50kHz capability.
The 899/999/1199ci HD Si models do not have a dedicated Down Imaging (DI) sonar.  Their Di sonar is derived from the left and right Si sonar beams.
So to me it looks like you are looking for an ONIX Si model unit.

[bigkahuna]

Thanks Greg.