Topic: 898 in Deep Water

[Saint]

898 si....WOW is all I can say.  I'm in the Puget Sound (Washington State).  When I was looking to buy, I couldn't find info on side or down imaging for deep water so I thought I would post some.  We usually fish 90-120 ft for salmon, and I wanted a unit that could handle this.  Salmon isn't open right now, so I'll report back in the summer.  We've been fishing lings and dropping pots for shrimp.  I haven't figured out how to take screen shots except using the "mark" button.  I did figure out the record feature last week.   I printed out the directions today which should help.  When I get screen shots, I'll post them. 

Back on topic.  80 kHz and 200 kHz sonar is amazing. We could see our 2 oz jig 40ft down (maybe deeper - I can't remember)   We tried to find our shrimp pot on the bottom in 260 ft of water but couldn't with the 200, 400, or 800 kHz, although we could see the rope down to about 80 ft.  400kHz and 800kHz down imaging would paint the bottom at 300 ft but was very dim with not much detail.  Where we drop the pots is pretty flat, so there isn't much detail to paint .  Fishing for Lings in 80-100 ft of water was great.  We could see the rock bottom was fractured. 
 
We found the 200 kHz and 800 kHz spilt screen to be the best for deeper water.  The local shops kept telling me they don't stock this unit because it would not work well for deep water.  They were wrong.  Went fishing with a buddy that is a hard core fisherman this last weekend.  He couldn't stop commenting on the detail of the bottom.  I haven't had time to find a good spot to test the usable depth of 400 kHz.  Everything I found went from 100ft to 250ft in 100 horizonal feet.  The unit had a hard time sizing the screen correctly with the drop off.

I'm still learning the unit but so far I'm amazed.  Should be easier now that I have the directions printed (something Humminbird should have included with the unit).

Only had one problem so far.  Last time I was out the bottom was extremely pixelated on the 200 and 400 kHz down image mode.  Powering down the unit twice did not fix it.  Another power down and full disconnect cleared it up.  Not sure what was going on??? Maybe I didn't plug the harness in all the way the first time.

I wish I had the 998 or the 1198 for the added screen real estate.  I just couldn't justify the cost difference.  I might have pulled the trigger on a larger screen if I hadn't spent $900 on new Scotty downriggers the same month.   

I'll email the video if someone knows how to edit out the boring stuff and post it.  One thing I was really disappointed with was the map package.  There is no depth info on the GPS that I could find.  We are looking at buying a Navionic chip, but there are too many choices.  We just need good depth detail for the Puget Sound.  Looking at the Gold Fish and Chips or the Platium Plus.  I can't tell the difference except marina pictures. 


Let me know if you have questions or want me to try something.

[Fishfinger]

Just getting to know my 898 as well but so far its very cool. If you email Humminbird and ask for a manual they will send one out free of charge. Its a nice compact and sturdy manual, great for in the boat.

[sonar2000]

You might ask if HB sends a manual.  I thought thay had gone to a disk (CD)  and you could print what you wanted..
Chuck

[Saint]

I have the disc.  I had to print the PDF file and use a 3 ring binder.  It's not a huge deal, just seemed funny to spend $1300 on marine electronics and not receive an instruction manual that can be with the unit.  Most people don't want to lug around their laptop next to the water just to read an instruction manual.   

[sonar2000]

I agree completely.....but for the company it is cheaper to make disks and if changes are made it is cheaper to update the disk...
I think most just print out the pages they want. It still is a bit bulky..
Chuck

[Roddy]

Hi Gamg; My last HB unit come with a disk. Called HB rec a hard copy in 2 days. 

Saint; Give it some time and play with the settings a lot 200' you will soon start to see boats/cars/mines/fish traps/Jimmy Hoffa/ET.  RODDY