Topic: New to forum and hummingbird

[jimgately]

I'm Jim...ordered the 899ci si di and it should be in today or tomorrow.
I've had a lowrance 4 for a couple years but never have been very good with it.
I'm hoping to become proficient with this fish finder.
I've been trolling all over the Internet for info on this unit and trying to understand si and di.
I'm sure I'll have questions, but for now I'll just keep reading...thanks for allowing me into the forum!

[N9Phil]

Welcome aboard Jim.  You are going to really enjoy your new toy.  I picked up my first Humminbird Side Imaging a few years ago and it took me a couple of years to figure out how to use it.  I found this sit a couple of years ago and there are people on here that can answer just about any question that you throw at them.  There are some great U-Tube videos out there that will help you also.  Once you get the feel of your unit you will really become a better fisherman.  Spend the time to watch the videos regardless if they are for another brand unit and don't be afraid to ask questions for what you don't understand.  It takes time to really get to understand everything that your unit can do and when you do, you will be ready to upgrade.
Good luck and have fun.
Phil

[Bob B]

Look for Doug Vahrenberg's YouTube channel.....Jason Halfen also has some great video's on his web site.....Pickwick Marine is starting do do some very good videos.

Set up a power source in the house, watch videos .... and when you get on the water spend a lot of time just learning the electronics.

[rnvinc]

And turn that Chart Speed down on SI from its default 5 to match your boat speed ...

This gives the best ratio of bottom Scan to display plotting of SI imaging data ...

Speed up the Chart Speed 1 or 2 from boat speed if you want to "stretch out" the fish echoes ... Sometimes it makes the white fish echoes easier to see ...but also will stretch the bottom detail to look like a blur ...

Rickie

[newkid4si]

Jim

   One of the most important issues that you need to get correct is the installation of the unit on your boat, especially the transducer.

   You'll see some good guidance as you read through the post. Need help... ask.  Welcome to the site.

        Mike

[jimgately]

Thanks for the welcome...my unit arrived yesterday and I'll be installing it this weekend.

[rnvinc]

Thanks for the welcome...my unit arrived yesterday and I'll be installing it this weekend.

We like install pix also ...

Please share ...

Rickie

[jimgately]

Ok, so right off the bat I seem to have an issue...I have everything hooked up, the unit powers up...everything shows unconnected.
This unit is right out of the box with no updates yet. I was gonna get it up and running and then do the updates.

[N9Phil]

OK Jim, relax.  The first thing is to check all of your connections to make sure that they are all connect right.  What do you have connected that doesn't show up?  The trolling motor has to be deployed and turned on before it will show connected.  I am not familiar with your unit as far as the gps is concerned but if you are inside of a building and your gps can't see the satellites then it won't show connected.  You might also have a situation where you have to go to some menu to tell your unit what it needs to look for and lastly sometimes it takes a few minutes with these units before they connect to everything. What does your manual say for how to connect accessories?

[jimgately]

I'm calm...I had bought a Y connector because my cable was a couple feet shy...it was cheaper than the extension.
Anyway, I removed the Y cable and connected direct...I now show temp and depth...I had already thought about being inside of my shop, so I rolled it out and got a GPS reading. I thought it would at least show that it was attempting to connect or something...figured wrong on that one.
I'm not sure what each sonar should show since I'm not in the water, but I do get colored graph on 2d and DI...the SI is just black and doesn't appear to be doing anything...again, I'm not sure if it will do anything out of the water.

[N9Phil]

Glad to hear that you are getting it going.  Yes the transducer has to be in water before it will show anything.  You might use the Simulator mode to play with all of the settings.  This is one way of learning the unit before getting on the water.  I purchased extra power cables so I can run my units off of a power supply at my desk.

[jimgately]

Good idea being able to run it at your desk...think I'll set mine up like that as well...thanks for your time sir

[N9Phil]

Jim,  You shouldn't have a problem as long as you use a power source that is rated for over 1 amp.  One of the things about Humminbird units is they need a good power source.  The first thing that they tell you when you call for help is make sure that you have enough power.  I have a 30 amp variable voltage Ham Radio power supply that I use so no shortage of power there.  Good luck and have fun with your new toy.

Phil

[rnvinc]

Which Y cable did you use as an extension cable ... ??

There are 2 HB xducer extension cables ...
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/EC-W10/

http://www.humminbird.com/Products/EC-W30/

HB "Y" cables separate Sonar/temp channels with redirection of wires in the Y cable dependent on the application ...

Using a Y cable as an extension cable would leave one or more wire channels unconnected ...

Rickie