Topic: 999ci HD SI Combo experience/feedback

[Mainer]

Has anyone been able to get their hands on one of the new 999ci HD SI Combo units yet?

If so, can you tell us about it.

Also what's the difference between the "999ci HD SI Combo" and the "999ci HD SI KVD Combo"

Thanks

[Bob B]

The 99 series is just starting to ship, not too much info out there yet.

Didn't know the 999 had a KVD edition.....The 1199 has the KVD edition also.  It has a KVD logo on the front, includes a TIPS booklet done by KVD..and there is supposed to be another perk that is not known for sure what it is yet.  It has been speculated that there may be some of KVDs waypoints.

[tailspin]

Recently purchased and installed a Hum minbird (HB) 999ci HD SI Combo on Tracker Targa 18WT console and Minn Kora (MK) Pilot Link Control Head Accessory on the boat's bow-mounted MK PowerDrive V2 trolling motor. The HB 999 does have an awesome bright screen than compared to my HB 797c2i SI. Similar menus/screens to the HB 797, which helped my learning curve in using it on the first day. Not sure how it is different than HB 999 KVD Combo, except possibly the literature that may be shipped with that HB sonar. The specs for the HB 999 are posted by others on the web but not yet officially on the HB website.

I was not able to connect the ethernet cable between the MK Pilot Link Control Head and HB 999. There is no metal 8-pin ethernet male port on the HB 999. Evidently, you have to purchase, at an extra cost, a HB AS-EC-QDE Ethernet Adapter cable to connect it to the supplied MK 30' ethernet extension cable (i.e., male & female 8-pin connectors at each side). So HB and MK techies, how do I connect an HB adapter female pin (shown on their website) to the Pilot Link supplied female 8-pin connector? I did contact MK before the purchase and they said everthing was provided with access Pilot Link Control Head to connect to a HB 999. Obviously, not factually correct with my new purchases. My guess, you may have to purchase a HB AS-ETH-5PS 5-Port Ethernet Switch at an additional cost. If true, I'm disappointed at Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. (DBA, Hum minbird and Minn Kora) on not resolving a simple 8-pin ethernet extension cable connection between the HB 999 and MK Pilot Link Control Head.

[tailspin]

correction to my earlier post:

..."So my question to HB and MK techies, would be how to connect an HB adapter female pin (shown on their website) to the supplied I-Pilot Link 30' ethernet cable with female 8-pin connector at end side that connects to the HB adapter cable?"...

[Bob B]

I think you need this adaptor cable    http://store.humminbird.com/products/629935/AS_EC_QDE   

The 999 has a different ethernet connection than the older 998 so the ethernet cable can be part of the cable collector.
You shouldn't need the hub unless you purchase another unit and want to network all 3 devices.

I like the sounds of your setup except that I would have gone the extra for the Terrova.

PS, If you get the unit working please post some images for us.  Everyone is really wanting to see some images from the new units....especially with the 83Khz 2d.
Looks like you may actually have some "soft" water where you live.

[tailspin]

Received Ethernet Dongle AS EC QDE (Part #720074-1, dated 2014-01-09) from Minn Kota that contains a push-type socket for connecting to HB 999ci HD SI and pin-type screw socket for connecting to 30' cable supplied with the I-Pilot Link Control Head for the PD V2 trolling motor that came with boat. Complete cable set-up, finally! However, won't be on water for a couple of weeks but will test it then and take some photos of it in action. Also, will take some photos of it simulation mode and post those soon!!

[Bob B]

Thanks....Looking forward to the Pics

[tailspin]

Regret not posting photos earlier but been busy away from the water, including week skiing on new snow at Alta Ski Resort, UT. These are some photos of the HB 999ci HD SI in the simulation mode. Refer to my other post of photos of this sonar unit's installation on the Targa 18WT boat console & the transom-mounted transducer, and text of specifications from the manual.

[tailspin]

These are the photos of the HB 999ci HD SI that I installed on the console of my Tracker Targa 18wt and transducer as mounted on the transom. The specifications shown are from the manual that was on the CD that came with this sonar unit.

I'm aware that the photo shows the transducer close to the trailer bunker but the boat is slightly off-centered on the trailer. I don't worry about the trailer's bunker proximity to the transducer because there is enough clearance between them, even when the boat is slightly off-centered on the trailer. Also, the transducer is more than 18-inches from the motor's propeller, which is the minimum separation distance specified by HB in their installation instructions.

[mako9man2]

I am seriously contemplating upgrading to the HB 999ci HD SI.  I have traditionally used HB sonars and they have been very reliable.  The one thing that bugs me about the 999 is the large digital readout on the left side of the screen.  I played with one at BassPro last week and scrolled through all the screens noting that this display never goes away.  So a question to you guys who own the 999, Does this gobble up too much screen area or does it even matter?  I see where this info is displayed at the bottom of the 1199.  Any idea why HB decided to make the 999 display this way?

[rnvinc]

The readout boxes can be eliminated in the full screen SI view (with just temp and depth overlayed in the bottom left corner)...

Removing/moving/overlaying the readout boxes has been on the HB wish list since the 1st 900 series SI units came to market...

It never hurts to call or email HB and tell them your opinion of the readout boxes...

1-800-633-1468

Rickie