Topic: New Side Imaging User

[Capt. Shodamane]

What's going on everybody! My name is Christian and i'm 21 years old, from Charlotte NC. I am aspiring to become a professional angler and have made the decision to purchase a Humminbird side imaging unit for my Nitro. I actually haven't bought the unit yet, but I have decided on the 998c SI. I will be getting the unit within the next month and I was wondering if anyone had any advice, tips, or any information you wish you had before you purchased your unit. Any advice will be appreciated, whether it's installation, settings, where to buy, what accessories I will need, etc.  I finally have saved up for this unit, and it's a big investment for me, so thanks for any help I can get. - Christian

[Roddy]

Capt. Welcome!

Register the unit with HB first thing.

Check the unit for the update that it came with.

Check the HB webpage for the latest update,update  as needed.

Order a PAPER copy of the unit instructions from HB!And read it often.

Study the Installation  PIX on this Forum.

Post pix of transom to forum  BEFORE  DRILLING!

Do not rush, take your time!

Oh yes, Get on the water and enjoy!

Roddy

[Bob B]

If I was going to buy a 998, I would wait til next years model comes out unless you REALLY need on right now.

There should be some really good deals on the current 998 and the new 998 will have an LED backlit screen.....my guess is that the new 998 will also have a faster processor.

[Capt. Shodamane]

thanks guys, i really appreciate it. I guess I don't technically "NEED" a side imaging unit right now, but i dont think anyone out there truly "NEEDS" a unit haha. But, would it really be worth the wait? as far as anything i can research, its just an LED screen which will be brighter? am i correct? I really would like to have a side imaging unit for my fall tournament season (bass fishing) but I will wait if its really worth it for the LED screen. Can anyone enlighten me? I can't see it being a drastic difference. no pun intended.

[Roddy]

Capt, After a few years of SI use I cant see how I got along before SI/DI. There is just so much more info.

Roddy

[ITGEEK]

Hello Christian,
And welcome to the site.

When you buy a sonar, there is always the possibility
that a new, better one will be coming out soon.  Just like computers.
If you buy the best, it won't be the best for long.

Since you are new to side imaging, it's going to take awhile
for you to get acquainted with your unit, and more time to
get proficient at using it, and interpreting what you see.

I think in competitive Bass fishing, side-imaging these days
is an absolute must.  Any little thing you can do to
increase your odds of catching more fish, will only help
you in the long run.  If most of the guys you fish against have
side-imaging and you don't, then they already have a big advantage
over you.

But be aware, that there is a learning curve.  Some young
people these days want things right away, really fast.  But,
you are going to have to pay your dues, and put the hours in
on the water to be able to take full advantage of side-imaging.
You're going to have to make some recordings and go home and
look at them.  Eventually you'll be able to easily identify what you are
seeing.

My advice would be to get an SI unit now, and start using it and get
some good experience with it.
You will most likely be ready to upgrade the unit in 3 or 4 years.
Especially if you win some tournament money.

Good Luck.

[Bob B]

I wouldn't buy a unit right now when it will be obsoleted in a few monthes.....or the current unit a LOT cheaper.

[Capt. Shodamane]

thanks for the great advice guys, seriously. Bob, why do you say the word obsolete? will this new LED version really make old units obsolete as in i'll be at a disadvantage without one? I am aware that there is a learning curve which is why i want one now, so i have at least a few months of experience with it before i start fishing competitively this fall. I guess my main question is, what is so much better about this new unit? will i really gain an advantage if i wait until 2013 to purchase one? I could be wrong, but it seems like there isn't much difference as far as what it does and what it can show you. maybe the experts can enlighten me. thanks again

[Bob B]

Obsolete probably is too a strong word, but I think the brighter screen would be well worth the wait.  A lot of people have complained about the sunlight visibility of the 898 and 998 compared to the 798 or the 1198.
When the new units are out, everyone is going want the new LED screen.  You would paying the same money for a lesser unit if you buy one now.

[kron]

Hi Christian and welcome to the forum.

I do not use my unit for fishing, so I will probably not be an helping hand in that region. however, I have read this topic now and did see that there are some pros and cons for buying the unit this year. I will therefor tell a little story which may help you (or confuse?).

For more then 4 years ago did I thinking to buy a new laptop that should be able to handle CAD -programs, because I needed it in the school ( It would be easier for me to work at home if I had an own computer that would handle the program). I did wait a long time before I did decide what to buy. The reason: A newer and better computer will be released soon - Therefore I wait for it! How long? I did buy a new laptop last year! -More or less to late, because the courses where I ought to use the computer was almost finished then.

Nowadays do I want to buy a new laptop because there are so many better computers out there. Okay! Humminbird is maybe not releasing new models and better stuffs like the computer industry, but do not wait to long. My tip to you, if you can afford one today is to buy one as soon as possible. You will maybe be able to buy a new one after the fall and the competitions. ( Are there only fishing competitions in the fall?)

[ITGEEK]

Christian,
Waiting until next January to buy a 2013 unit, will be 4 and a half months
from now.  That's a pretty long time.  I can see if it was now
November or later in the year, then waiting to get the newest
unit may be wise.

If you go by Bobs way of thinking, then you should actually probably wait until 2014,
to buy because by then, there will be newer technology than the 2013 units.
The screens in 2014 will probably be much brighter than the current, or 2013 models.
But then again, should you wait for the 2015 units?  They might be way better.

These sonars keep evolving, and there is no absolute perfect time to buy one.
When you have the money, and you want or need one, then that's the time to buy.
Of course, once you buy it, a year later, a better one will be out.  But, that's just
the nature of the beast.  You've got to figure that to keep up with technology, every
3 or 4 years, you'll have to upgrade to a newer unit.

They make very thin sun shields which can be placed on the screen glass, and
shields which fit around and over the unit to help block the sun.  Besides,
you have young eyes, and won't have that much problems viewing
your screen.

[Capt. Shodamane]

Thanks for your input everyone! I really appreciate all the advice. I was already leaning toward going ahead and buying the current model, so now I feel like I am making the right decision. Although the new models sound pretty sweet, I was really looking forward to using a SI unit this fall. Also, there aren't just bass tournaments in the fall, that's just when the majority of the tournaments are held in my region of the US, and I feel the side imaging unit will help me with finding baitfish schools. I'm sure I will upgrade units before I know it, so i'm going to go ahead and get the current model, so i can begin using and learning it. Again, thanks a lot guys. I'm sure I will have a bunch of questions once I actually own the unit.

[Bob B]

Guess I think about this in a different way.
 I want a smart phone, but am waiting for the I-Phone 5 because it will be the be out in a couple of monthes and be better than anything you can buy now.
Gonna be big sales on the 898 and 998 in a couple of monthes.  I will try to remember to post the sale prices on here.
I bought an 1197 on a good sale when the 1198 came out ..... wish I hadn't done that now.....supposedly the only difference was going to be the LED display.....OK, I'm done now.

[Capt. Shodamane]

bob, if you know something about these new units, please share! all I have heard is that they will have LED screens, and you said they "MAY" have a faster processor. Although, the only reason I am considering waiting is because you told me they were so much better. But, to be honest I can't get any real info on the new units from any search of the internet, other than new LED screens. So...let's share any info on these new units that you may have...that would benefit me much more than what you would do in my situation. To be a little more to the point, I would rather have facts about these new 2013 units vs. the current models. If the only difference is the screen, I have to say I am not sold on the LED screen. But, if there is more/newer technology behind the new units, I may wait and take your advice.

[ITGEEK]

But Bob, if you wait another year, you can probably get the new I-Phone-6.
It will probably be much better than the I-Phone-5.
Or maybe wait two years for the newer I-Phone-7.  It has to be better
than the I-Phone-6.  What about the I-Phone-8?  Should you wait for it?

No matter what model you buy, soon, there will be a better
one coming out.  It's impossible to stay current on these sonars.

Christian, if you are interested in the newest technology,
you could do this:
Buy a model now that is compatible with the 360.
Then later, purchase the 360.
It won't be cheap, but it will be the state of the art.

[Bob B]

Itgeek.....Don't get hysterical.

Capt...I don't have any knowledge of the new units other than the new screen and the knowledge that the sunlight visibility of the current 898 and 998 have been commonly complained about by people that have the current model.  That is why HB is upgrading the screen on them.
I'm just saying if it were me I would wait the short amount of time til the new units come out......or...  If I really wanted one right now I would go for the 1198 or the 798 which already have a better brighter screen.

Your situation may be different.

[Bob B]

Well,  you can now get the current model 998 for around $1300.

Also, I have my Iphone 5 now and love it so far....glad a waited a little.

[sonar2000]

I dont think ITG is getting hysterical. he works in the IT generation and is aware that new products hit the market with a speed that is faster than a device can become obsolete . It seems in todays technology that we build new products for a marketing edge and not so much for an improvement over the current models..
We are too eager of an electronic generation to do with what works and are always on the edge for the newer better faster more colorful product. We forget that some things we have do work (still) .
Chuck