Author Topic: Pre Purchase Questions  (Read 6335 times)

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Offline spes

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Pre Purchase Questions
« on: February 13, 2012, 09:21:26 PM »
Hello,
  The CFO has granted permission to purchase a fishfinder.
I have a bunch of questions I would like answered before jumping in on such a big purchase.
   I am looking at getting a
798ci Hd Si Combo 
Part Number 407970-1
  I live in MA. I have a 14' tin with a 25 hp. I only fish salt.
I mostly fish for stripers in or near the mouth of rivers, usually in 3' - 15' of water. I do venture out conditions permitting to catch live bait (Mackerel).
So, my primary thoughts on getting the 798 is for the Si.
The plotter will be nice so I can mark the many boulders I fish near.
  Now some questions.
Transducer,
   I understand the unit I am looking at will come with XNT-9-Si-180-T CSi transducer. I have read that the XHS-9-HDSi-180-T (HDSi) transducer which is longer and uses a Side Imaging transducer element that will give clearer Si readings at 455kHz than the CSi transducer will. ( I know not at the 800kHz). 
 If I exchange  the boxed for the XHS is there a price differance?
Is it worth it?

Transducer placement.
  Transom or trolling motor?
Without unwrapping her, I'm not sure if I would have a clear side to side on the transom. The engine mounts right to transom; no jack plate.
 My gut instincts think I wouldn't want to mount it on the troll because when I do venture into big water for bait I prefer not to have my trolling motor down. But, I would IF the transom did not give me a clear side to side view,  or IF people here convinced me that the trolling motor placement is a preferred position.

Navionics...
 Does the Navionics HotMaps Lake Maps - East
offer any COASTAL improvements to the ContourXD™ ?
If not,,, what improvement (differances) are there from the ContourXD™  and Navionics Gold?
( and when I say coastal, I am only talking 2 NM tops)


Well thats a start..
I'm sure I will add a few more questions before I am thru,  ;D

Thanks for the help.


Offline George

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Re: Pre Purchase Questions
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2012, 07:38:08 AM »
spes

You cannot go wrong with any of the Side Imaging Units, they will show you everything, including fish. 

The larger the screen the better you will be able to spot the fish. 

Whether you set the unit up on the transom or trolling motor, the boat is small enough that you can use a switch and have a transducer on the transom and the trolling motor. 

To start I would have the transducer on the transom, this way you can drive around and look at and record everything.

Also you can set up your unit to view it from both positions.  I have a 16 ft aluminum boat and have a transducer on the trolling motor and the transom and use the transom transducer most of all.  In larger boats the trolling motor transducer is probably more important, I do not think you will need it to start out.

Recording is very important as you can take the recordings and review them on your computer which is a much larger screen.

George

Offline Humminbird_Greg

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Re: Pre Purchase Questions
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2012, 04:18:49 PM »
If you exchange the XNT-9-Si-180-T transducer for the larger XHS-9-HDSi-180-T transducer I think that you will be charged for the difference in cost of these two transducers – but call the Humminbird Customer Resource folks at 1-800-633-1468 to be sure.

I would recommend transom mounting the transducer (if it will work there) to begin with.  It will be easier to understand what you are seeing from this location.

Greg Walters at Humminbird
gwalters@johnsonoutdoors.com

Offline spes

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Re: Pre Purchase Questions
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2012, 07:49:47 AM »
Anyone have a comment on the navigation software? Does hotmaps improve data immediately along the coast also?

Offline stillbear

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Re: Pre Purchase Questions
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2012, 07:58:39 AM »
I have the hotmaps east what do you want to know.I do not have contour to compare.

Offline Double Digit

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Re: Pre Purchase Questions
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2012, 08:48:25 AM »
I live on Long Island and have the Platinum plus for the east coast.The difference between these maps and the basic contour my unit came with is NIGHT AND DAY.....IMHO. It is a must have...

Offline George

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Re: Pre Purchase Questions
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2012, 09:34:55 AM »
spes

I agree with Double Digit, that purchasing a chip is like night and day, and is well worth the purchase.  The contour lines are much improved over what is in the units.

Although I have Platinum Plus I would not purchase it again.  Since you are purchasing a 798, Platinum is not compatible with this unit.

Not sure what you need, but it appears you want a Marine chip, below is the info from the Navionic's site.

--->  http://www.navionics.com/NavionicsNews.asp?ID=325&ArticleYear=2010  <---

The New Navionics Fish N’ Chip includes:

    Incredibly accurate 1 Ft HD Fishing Bathymetry on inshore Estuaries and Bays
    Full US and Canada 1M contouring Great Lakes coverage
    High resolution Offshore and Canyon Fishing Bathymetry
    Offshore Navaids, Rocks, Wrecks, Tides and Currents.
    Shallow Water Vegetation and Marsh Areas

You should look around on the internet to make sure it is you want and you will be able to find better prices.

  George
« Last Edit: February 17, 2012, 09:48:52 AM by George »

Offline spes

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Re: Pre Purchase Questions
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2012, 10:46:59 AM »
Thanks for the reply,,,    yes,i plan on getting a chip,, i was wondering if the hotmaps  for $99 would show along the coast,, or do i need to purchase  the navionics  gold for $199              I Live in MA and fish in a small tin,, mouth of river,,, i only venture out into big water for live bait conditions permitting...

Offline Double Digit

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Re: Pre Purchase Questions
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2012, 11:07:39 AM »
Spes...I would expect the Navionics gold to have full coastal coverage the Hotmaps I'm not sure about.I wouldn't want to dump an extra 100 bucks on the gold chip either if I didn't have to.Hopefully somebody on here that knows will have your answer if not ide send hotmaps an email and ask them if their chip covers the coast....Good Luck

Offline spes

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Re: Pre Purchase Questions
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2012, 08:54:01 PM »
I have e-mailed the chip maker, no reply yet.
On a side note.. I went to a boat show today and asked an electronics vendor about the chipsets.
He claimed the Navionics Gold is NO better than the ContourXD™ that comes with the unit.
No idea if that holds any truth


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