I've searched the forums, but am still a little confused.
I have a 798ci SI Combo, and it's hooked up like this:
( source: http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?action=media;sa=media;in=218 ) I'm using the XTM 9 HDSI 180 T transducer near the transom on a custom made bracket mounted to my jacking plate.
I also have the XP 9 20 T "puck" transducer epoxied inside my hull with the temp probe mounted in the water on the transom.
After reading many posts for well over 8 hrs, I've learned a ton, but I'm still unclear on several points, and I hope that some of the more seasoned pro's will be kind enough to take the time to straighten me out!
Without further ado, here are my TOP TEN QUESTIONS about using the 798ci SI Combo with two transducers and the latest software!
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Q1 - Using the setup as indicated with the AS SIDB Y cable, are there any draw backs (cons) vs using a transducer switch to change between
the two transducers.
(see http://www.humminbird.com/Products/TS3/ for the switch ) ?
Here's what I believe... (Please correct if I am wrong)
--Without a Y cable, the side imaging transducer also uses 83khz & 200 khz to produce 2D sonar images below the boat.
-- With the AS SIDB Y cable, the ONLY difference is that the 83khz & 200 khz 2D sonar will come out of the puck transducer instead of the side-imaging one.
(I understand that the shoot-thru-hull puck transducer is to give me depth readings at high speed... and it works well, BTW)
So if I use the Y cable with the shoot-thru puck transducer will I see any
decrease in the features or performance of the system?
(I'm talking practical differences that I would be able to discern. Not extremely minute technical differences that most people would never notice).
Q2 -- I have upgraded the firmware on my 798ci SI combo, so when I'm using the XTM 9 HDSI 180 T transducer directly connected to my head unit,
I have access to the down-imaging features of the unit.
Using the Y cable, will I still have ALL of the features, including the down-imaging, and will the quality be the same -- (or maybe even better)?
Q3 -- The XTM 9 HDSI 180 T transducer supports two frequencies for Side Imaging (455khz & 800 khz).
Can my my unit -- the 798ci SI Combo --use or benefit from the 800 khz signal available in the side imaging transducer I purchased?
Q4 -- Which transducer do I select in the menu system on my Head Unit?
I don't see a choice for the transducers that I'm using, and I'm not clear if the "correct" transducer selection would change if I use the "Y" cable and add
the puck transducer.
Q5 -- If I decide to use the TS3 switch instead of the Y cable, will I need to change the transducer settings in the menu on my unit when I toggle the switch
to change between the puck transducer and the side-imaging transducer?
Q6 -- I am aware that one drawback of using the TS3 switch is when I select the puck transducer, I won't have access to side imaging.
Will I also lose down-imaging when I select the Puck using the TS3 switch ? (using the switch instead of using the Y cable ).
Q7 -- Is there ANY BENEFIT at all to using the TS3 switch for my system?
Q8 -- Can my system utilize the autochart and/or autochart pro features if I purchase the software and SD card?
Q9 -- Will Autochart work for the tidal Potomac river in Washington DC and the creeks and tributaries connected to it?
I'm aware that many lakes are included, but I'm unclear about use on the Potomac.
Q10 -- Chart Upgrades -- Is there a discounted UPGRADE price to get the latest Navionics maps and features, and if so what benefit, if any, will I get from the upgrade?
A few years ago I purchased the Navionics SD chart for the coastal US (the version that is compatible with my head unit).
I know these are a lot of questions... which I guess shows just how confused I am
.
I would be happy to break these questions up into three or so separate posts with more closely related questions if that would be useful or advisable -- moderators
and more seasoned users, please let me know if that would be helpful.
Greg & Everyone, thank you so much for the information that you regularly share. While my questions have been touched on in some ways in some of the threads
I have read, after more than 8 hrs of searching and reading I am still very much confused as to some of the finer points, particularly when you factor in my head-unit (the 798 ci SI combo) which doesn't have ethernet or some of the fancier features of the higher-end units.
Sincerely,
-Philip