Topic: 998c and airmar m260?

[Goingbig]

  Hey everyone I have been thinking of a way get high speed bottom readings in 100-150ft of water.  I have a 998 SI and a 917c and I currently have two Humminbird XHS 9 HDSI 180's hanging off the back for side imagining and a puck inside the hull for 2d.  Using a Humminbird AS SIDB Y Transducer Adapter Cable  to split 2d/si. The Humminbird XP 9 20 isnt cutting it at high speeds.  I do not need the SI as much as I need high speed pick up of bottom contour.  My question is would  using the xhs 9 hdsix2 for side imaging and installing a Airmar m260 for 2d work with the 998?  I havent seen many reviews with the Humminbird and a m260 so I was just wondering about this set up and its performance.  Would the unit be able to push all three transducers or is that asking too much?  Thanks for any tips!  really dont want to test out this idea blind.  Its a $800 ducer :X.  Thanks guys!

[sonar2000]

What happens when you select the 2d only display for either of the si ducers?
Normally the hdsi pucks quits si above trtolling speeds but wondering if the 2d will still work or is the puck out of the water or in turblence at higher speeds.
Chuck

[Goingbig]

The Shoot thru hull stops reading at 10-15 kts but it loses definition before that. The transom mounted ducers are about the same but they keep a little clearer the same speeds.  I really want to pick up clear bottom at 30kts. A friend has a garmin and m260 set up and I am a little jealous. It's got more to do with the ducer and not the head unit.

[sonar2000]

Interesting the shoot thru the hull stops at higher speed.  Normall that is the one that keeps working..
Is there something causing turblence or does your boat ride out of the water a lot at speed. I have seen that also...
Maybe a couple of pictures might help. (installation of transducers location)
I'm a little confused on this one..

Chuck

[sonar2000]

Also dont have any experience with HB and the m260 or interface.  Usually the guys with HB units use a true thru the hull transducer, either the epoxy or the drilled hole.
Wonder if the interface and the m260 could be some of the problem at speeds..
Chuck
 

[Goingbig]

I will try to take some pictures tomorrow of the shoot thru and post them up.  I am sure I screwed something lol.  There is no current M260 in place yet so it wouldnt be interference from that.  The boat is a heavy SOB and doesnt really leave the water much.  It is a 1985 Seacraft Sceptre.

[sonar2000]

OK, I did not have my reading glasses on.....   saw your xp 9 20 install.  Could you have an epoxy and getting air in this ......or.....is your boat hull several thickness layers.  The 9 20 is a single layer thru the hull...

Check the epoxy having bubbles might be a prime suspect.... Maybe it wont be too hard to remove and redo...Paint between the puck and the epoxy/puck can have an effect also...

Chuck 

[Humminbird_Greg]

I don’t have any information on the Airmar M260 but if your inside-the-hull transducer is not reading above a certain speed than the causes are usually due to installation.  Either the transducer:
 - was not tested before final installation and therefore has air bubbles flowing across it.
 - was installed in a location that has too thick of a hull, a cored hulled, a wooden (or other material) stringer under it, or has paint or other coatings on the hull (inside or outside) that contain metal or air.
 - was installed with air bubbles in the epoxy.

Unfortunately the only thing to do about any of these is to contact the boat manufacturer and find out what is inside the hull and just how thick it is and to try another transducer installed correctly.

[sonar2000]

Is there an echo in the thread???
Chuck

[truk]

goingbig,
              Did you ever run the m260 with your 998c? How did it turn out?