Topic: searching for bottom in 50m (160ft)

[choc_e]

Went out wide on the weekend and wasn't impressed with the 2d image I was getting from my 998SI. I was only using it as a 2d sounder. My old furuno was showing the bottom much better.

Can anyone suggest what settings to use/change in order to get better readings?

Is there a bottom zoom function?

[Humminbird_Greg]

If the Furuno was on at the same time: turn it off and see if that helps the readings from your 998c Si unit.

Can you post a Screen Snapshot of what the bottom looked like?  That may help us suggest menu changes.

Yes, there is a bottom zoom function.  Look on about page 64 of your operations manual for the Bottom Lock menu.

[choc_e]

Thanks Greg,

It isn't an interference issue. I am pretty sure the bottom lock will fix it. Because it wasn't locked on the bottom like the furuno the fern and rock was only showing 1/4 inch on the screen, making it hard to determine what it actually was.

[choc_e]

Does anyone know how to have the screen set up for bottom lock and gps at the same time?

[Humminbird_Greg]

It can’t be done.  The units are set up so that the Bottom Lock feature only works in the Sonar Zoom View.  This would have to be an additional View that would be added via a software update.  I suggest you make a request for such in the Wish List area of this web site.

[choc_e]

I might have to buy another unit then. Is it easy enough to link a 958 and a 998?

[Humminbird_Greg]

Yes it is.  Just purchase the Ethernet connection Cable in the length that you need.  These all start with “AS-EC”, followed by a one or two digit number and followed up with an “E”.  The number denotes the length of the cable.  Example: AS-EC2E is a two-foot Ethernet connection Cable.  Once connected and powered up just set the 958c unit to use the 2D sonar from the 998c Si unit.

[choc_e]

I am still unhappy with the 2D readings I am getting in 50m of water. I was recently told that a *59 unit ill do a better job, is this true? If so is this due to the head unit or the transducer that they use?

I suppose that what I am getting at is will I get better readings from the 998 if I buy a non SI transducer?

I know that this is an old post, but I wanted to keep all the info in one spot. This is a common complaint from guys I know trying to use their unit in deep water.

[Humminbird_Greg]

I don’t know of any reason that the *59 units would show the 2D sonar any better than what you have now.  The same piezo elements within the 859/959/1159ci HD units is used in the HDSi transducer you are using with your 998 unit now.  The 958 uses the same transducer as does the 859/959/1159ci HD units do (XNT-9-20-T our standard 2D sonar transducer).

I wouldn’t consider 50m deep water for a 2D unit.
There is a 50/200kHz transducer that is usable with the 859/959/1159ci HD units and your 998 unit that is meant for (much) deeper water: XNT-9-DB-74-T

[ITGEEK]

This has been discussed on this forum before.
These units are designed for freshwater, shallow type Bass fishing.

A Furuno is for deeper Salt-Water.
I know that Humminbirds are advertised to go really deep, but one member on here (Chuck), who does Search and Recovery said that 80 feet deep is pushing it to get clear images.

[Humminbird_Greg]

ITG, I might believe 80 feet for the Si sonar but the 2D sonar should work a lot deeper than that.

[sonar2000]

Yes 2D will show bottom to depths deeper than 80 feet. It is the SI that has great difficulty of images at the 80+ depths.. Self made Towed fish can help somewhat but for our purposes we go commercial with unit MST once below 50 or 60 feet.  Chuck