Humminbird 997csi scanner

[Lance]

I have 2 weeks to "change my mind" soooooo whats everyones thoughts on the Humminbird 997csi scanner? It does seem to be cool but its a bit scarry making the change from Lowrance. Does anyone have info on this unit? What unit would be the best choice for the front?

Thanks, L

[Hollywood]

lance, i have both the 997siC on the dash and the 797siC up front. Both have gps.

The 997 is bad A$$. It is really worth it! You will see things like you never seen before. It will take some time getting used to but it is awesome.

As for the side scan up front. It is my personal experience that the side scan doesnt work all to well up front. For the side scan to be working you need the boat to be moving at all times or you will keep seeing the same thing on the screen. Plus anytime you hit the trolling motor you get a big bar across the screen from the noise caused by both the motor and prop. These units are very noise sensitive.

I have talked to 8 others running them over here and they all have the same problems up front with both the 997 and 797 units! I am running the Minn Kota Pro 101 and most are as well but a few have the motorguide and still have the same problems with the side scan units up front!

Worth the money? Hell ya they are!

Will I get one again? Yes, next boat will have one, probaly the new 117C SI. It has a bigger screen, better day time viewing (not that the day time viewing was a problem on my 997 or 797)

The next boat I will order in a week and it will have a standard lowrance gps/fishfinder up front. Probably there new HD. but the dash will diffently have the hummingbird again!

http://bassfan.com/docktalk.asp?id=4276#4276

[tunaman]

Lance,

Having the 797C2, I can tell you that the technology is awesome, but the screen is far too small for side scanning. It also doesn't hold up well in direct sunlight, as it's very hard to read at times.

The 997, however, would be worth it IF you can put it at eye level at the console, IMHO. The screen on the 997 is considerably bigger than the 797, but still doesn't match up to the 27/28C, 37/38C or 112/113C. Kevin's right - side imaging gives you a view that nothing else will, and you will see things you never knew existed (and from a fair distance to the side to boot).

The GPS and standard sonar features are good - the sonar screen is easy to read and interpret. They've also got the 3D chart view which is pretty cool.

Unfortunately, Lowrance doesn't have a competing technology.

You'll have to weigh the benefits of waypoint sharing and larger physical screen space (don't see anything about the model Kevin mentioned above) against a smaller screen and side imaging - tough choice.

Good luck!
Roger

[Hollywood]

Roger,

The 1197C Si is a 10.4inch screen with a new sunlight viewable screen.

I have no problems seeing mine in any light condition. You can change the colors of the screen and during the brightest part of the day, I have it on grey as I can see it easier. I don't have mine at eye level, I have it on a ram mount mounted on the side of my consel.

Love the unit! I will have one in the next boat as well as 2 of them new lowrance HD units.

[tunaman]

THe 10.4" screen will be great then... seems to me the 997 is barely sufficient, but the 797 is definitely too small for me (for SI viewing... sonar and GPS is acceptable).

Ditto the comments about the sunlight viewing... the problems I've had were in viewing the SI screen with the sunlight off my back. I have a 797 in my console cutout, along with the 111C on a RAM mount, and the 797 suffers from screen glare due to the angle, I'm sure. If you've got yours on a RAM mount, then it must be pretty close to eye level (as opposed to being in the console cutout beside the steering wheel).

I just replaced my 26C on the bow with a 38C, so can't wait to get out this weekend and give it a test drive... I really like the intermediate size of the screen on the 37/38C units.

I didn't see any announcements on the Humminbird site for the 1197 - when are they expected to be available? I'd imagine they'd be shooting for end of year to leverage the buying season?

Roger

[Hollywood]

I have a 797 flush mounted up front with no problems to view the screen although 90% of the time I have it on either the flasher or GPS cause im fishing grass in 3 feet or less so I dont need the si up front... but still no problems. But I dont keep it on blue, i switch it to grey for most of the time.

I am usually only using one side of the SI at a time usually have it set to either right or left there for you can get a bit better picture. plus usually im running the banks with them on the river and really only need one side!

[tunaman]

Yeah, I usually only run a single side myself as well... better coverage and perspective.

All I use mine for is SI, so that's the only screen I've really used.

[Brian D.]

with the LCX-38C. 600x800 resolution. N I C E.

[Pred]

I wouldnt own a boat w/o one up front. I run the 2d/SI which the 2d is for when Im sitting still and the SI for when Im running a bank chunkin a blade or spook etc. If you are trolling along at any speed you get an image and I can tell you how many times I have found structure to throw too that I would have NEVER seen.

I have litterally seen christmas trees in the weirdest places. I have almost come to the conclusion that I'd rather have the SI up front than at the console. But i have both. Although instead of the 797 I would have gotten the 997.

I used the console SI to help decide what is worth wetting a line for in prefish, but I was going there anyway and the SI helps me find structure and fish on the way to that spot. The trolling motor SI really shines when you are desperately running and gunning.

As far as interference I have only seen a little when Im running the TM slowly and then its like the brightness is set a little high. I can still see an image good enough to fish.
I use it to fish shallow and deep. and have used it in 2feet or less