Topic: 596c HD DI to a half of SI

[alex_under]

Hi, I have a 596c HD DI unit. I have recently made an experiment: I turned the transducer

about 30 degrees to side from my boat. It's amazing! I got a half of SI. And a brightness

of the bottom was permanent unlike DI (when the transducer is turned directly down).
 But displayed Depth in this mode was wrong.

[sonar2000]

Please post a picture on the install. I cant tell if you meant 30 degrees orizontal or vertical.  Which ever way you turned it you are certainly blocking one side of the SI.
Yes, you will get problems with depth...
Thanks for the experiment and look forward to the picture...

[alex_under]

look at the picture:
1 - Standard placing of a transducer 2 - Alternate placing at about 30 degrees.
As you can see an area of the bottom wider in placing 2. Also the central beam is stronger in placing 1, so the bottom line is too bright, but visible bottom area is small.

see this photo:

[alex_under]

And this is standard placing:

[sonar2000]

In number 2 the slant angle range will be effected and can cause erroneous readings. Also the images.
Number two can also be getting top reflection signals and cause the displayu to be "funny"..
Have you tried settings like brightness and contrast....
Chuck

[alex_under]

The transducer has to be turned at that angle when top reflection does not appear.
 I can see a depth value directly on the screen using Depht Lines (1-2 feet is of no value

for me). And I can turn the transduser in standard position in a second thanks to my

handmade bracket.
Also I know exactly where an object is (at the left or right from boat) in contrast to

standard position of transducer.
Of course I know how to set contrast and brightness:). The experiment will be continued...

[sonar2000]

OK,keep on keepin on.....
Chuck

[Rickard]

Alex,

Nice experiment! The dedicated DI transducer must contain a downward 200 kHz element and a downward single SI array that can operate at 455 and 800 kHz. Thus, there must be two separate sonar channels, one for 200 kHz (used for depth and detection of fish) and one for 455/800 kHz (the DI channel). If there are problems with the depth reading when the unit is used for single-sided SI a y-cable should solve the problem. Then one would need two transducers, one downward looking 200 kHz transducer (there are many to chose between), and a DI transducer (or just one SI channel in a SI transducer). I haven't seen such a y-cable, but if you know the pin assignment in the connectors it should be possible to build ones own cable. Good depth readings is essential for the functioning of the SI channels in the SI models and I suppose it's the same with the DI models.

Regards,
Rickard

[Humminbird_Greg]

Rickard,
I would think that the AS-Si-DB-Y cable would work for this.  The new DI transducers use the same 5-pin cable connection that the Si transducers do (they just don’t use the connection for the left Si channel) so that splitter cable should do the trick.  Couple that with an XP-9-20 transducer (or XNT-9-20 for transom mounting) plus one of Alex’s custom transducer brackets and you are good to go.

[ctf58]

I had thought about this and made a post. Rickard was good enough to link me to this post.

Alex_Under have you continued with this project and do you have any more pictures?  I was also wondering if manually setting the depth would limit the distance, sort of like on a SI unit setting to read 100 ft to the side.

[alex_under]

Yes, I have been continued with this experiment. It is very useful to look for submerged large objects (from 3-4 meter length) placed on big area, such as single tree, stones.
Maximum range is limited by 240 ft to ONE side(see Max. Depth adjustment). If you want more details or ability to see smaller objects like fish you should decrease Max. Depth. This model does not have Zoom function, nevertheless you can get "Zoom" using Upper Range and Lower Range of X-press menu.
I rarely take camera on boat. My boat slips badly on the ice river so, Waiting for a new season. Then new photos and videos will appear.
P.S. I often fish at twilight and adjust Light (Brightness) 5-7. When I off the unit and on again, Light level is 10 (default). It is not comfortable:(.

[ctf58]

Great to hear. I was thinking about mounting it at an angle on my trolling motor so that I could swivel and "Look" around. I am a fisherman and think being able to see the structure from a distance and not driving directly over it and disturbing the fish would be better.
Question
If you scan a submerged tree say 50 feet away does it look like a tree? What I'm asking is the image good in your opinion?

[alex_under]

Large tree looks like tree lying on the bottom up to 150ft from boat at 30ft depth. The image is quite good.