I'm in the market for a new Sonar, and was curious about the relatively new Side Imaging sonars from Humminbird (www.sideimaging.com). This feature seams like a great way to find structure and cover that you may never happen to drive over otherwise.

Does anybody have any experience with any of these sonars?

Any good reason to get one or not get one would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pete

I recently purchased 2 Humminbird 997c SI units From The Trolling Motor Doctor after researching them and talking to a guide I will be using. I should have them installed soon and will get back to you after I hit Casitas. If you go to the Humminbird website you can get a lot of info as well as see video and pictures of it. I must say it looks awesome and seems to show everything. That is a 180 degree view and 240 ft to the left and right. It is so clear and I do not know precisely how it works but you can even see fish and structure shadows. No more guessing at what your seeing when you can see the individual branches of an under water tree on the sonar. Well that is what the website shows. I have upgraded to the platinum navionics chip for both units and will link them together. All together I spent $4,800.00 but it is for fishing Casitas right? I will let you know more as I use them and get better with them, from what I can tell so far this system is going to be awesome.
Rich

Dude, I saw one of these systems in action from my man Triton Mike....

Absolutely amazing technology and competitive advantage.

I can't speak to how durable or long lasting the systems are, just because I don't have one and can't speak to that. I was thoroughly impressed by the side scan, the images it picks up, and the ability to integrate GPS/Mapping into the side scan...ie, you scan a brushpile 50 yards off your starboard side...you move a pointer over to the bush, make a GPS wavepoint, and it marks on your pre-popuated software map WITHOUT having to drive over top of it to mark it....

Not sure if Lowrance is doing anything in side scanning, but I'd take the Humminbird SideScan over the top end Lowrance, purely based on your ability to see things 100+ feet to the side of you by driving by, vs, having to drive over top of it....Way more efficient and the output image was unreal. It really is as clear and pretty damn killer technology....

My .02

MP

I just found out that I need the system interlink and am trying to get it over nighted. This will enable all waypoints and tracks to be stored in the interlink so that both units will have that same info in them. If i am driving behind the helm and want to create a waypoint or find one I can view it on the helm unit and then go to the bow mounted unit when I get closer and it will be there too. I will report back after installation and use.
Rich

Thanks guys. Looking forward to hearing your opinions after install.

Of course, any other opinions are also welcome.

Pete

The install is done brother and I will hit Casitas in the am. I feel sorry for the fish I dont think there is anywhere to lay low now. I am Stoked cause I played with it for about an hour and it looks sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peace out, Rich
P.S. very user friendly / hi tech:+

I got out to the lake with the 2 997C SI units hooked to the interlink and everything performed as expected. Pretty cool to be able to see trees and structure so clearly with the side imaging. The platinum navionics is a great feature. It is nice to have the topo lines. I changed the side imaging color to green and it reminded me of night vision technology. Great to have all the screen options and is pretty user friendly. Another nice feature is the ability to have a detailed lake map up and the side imaging together. That makes it pretty easy to find good structure. Overall I am very happy with this purchase. I am looking forward to getting better with it and am I am very impressed with the clarity of the side imaging.
Rich

So were you able to locate structure / fish and actually catch them?

How easy is it to read the unit in bright sunlight? The only gripes I have heard about these units is that they are near impossible to read in bright sunlight.

I only had about an hour on the lake and have to go back to work till at least sun. I was able to find structure and fish easily but I have not used used it at high noon with the sun at my back. I did not have much time and did not fish due to a friend with a medical emergency that demanded my attention. I guess if I need to I can fabricate a sunscreen for it but I can not tell if that will be necessary yet. I will report back when I have spent more time on the water.
C-ya Rich

I have spent quite a bit of time on the lake with the 2 Humminbird 997 C si units and I feel it was worth the investment. They are so versatile, they do have a lot of options and adjustments in there use. It is pretty cool to see an underwater hump on the detailed platinum navionics map and put your cursor on it and mark it as a waypoint, then drive towards it being alerted if you get off course, then being notified when you are there. You just look at the sonar and there it is with fish all over it. you can set a waypoint using the cursor on the side imaging screen too this thing is so cool. I can also go to the bow unit and everything is there as well. I can stay on my waypoint using split screen GPS detailed contour map, and the other half sonar while I am at my troll motor. This is going to take a while to really get used to. I can use it pretty well but I think there are a lot of options I can still learn and there is always room for operator improvement. I have had Humminbirds Wide Paramount with SI. Lowrance, Pinpoint and Garmin and this is the best by far. The side imaging is harder to read in the sunlight but if I push my glasses to the top of my head I can read it fine and that is not a big deal to me. you can adjust the sensitivity and range distance on the side imaging and it can be easier to see. I set my side imaging @ 75 ft and sensitivity to 3/4 and got a lot more detail and could see shad schools, hey no wonder all those red eye grebes were over there. I have not fished much but have been trying to familiarize myself with the new units. Now I am comfortable and used to it. Time to fish, I am really enjoying these units. Hope this helps you out.
Peace, Rich

My buddy said they could see fish holding on dock pilings while driving by, I was impressed to hear that. He also said the GPS was incredible as far as options. My other friends are now looking at changing to the Hummingbird units now over the Lowrance units.


Someone finally brought some salt water type side scanning to the freshwater world...with more detail. I'm sure they will solve the glare issues. Lowrance had that problem with the first color units and they ended up fixing it. I'm sure Hummingbird is already working on it.

I just can't afford the $1K per meter investment right now x( Maybe some day.

After getting more familiar with the adjustments there is no problem reading the screen in direct sunlight. I just had to fine tune.
Rich