Thread: dumping my HB 797SI ???

You might want to use just left or right side and you might want to post some pics and let the pros look at them on the unofficial hb site they helped me a lot, there is a number of things to adjust sensitivty, scroll speed, transducer may need adjusting. once you get it right you cant go to the lake without it.

I understand where you're coming from Laserdoc, I didn't give but half price
for mine (used) and sometimes I still wonder if it was worth even that much...

Best advice I've read in this thread so far was about keeping the range set
lower - I got quite a bit happier with mine after I started keeping it on no
more than 75', sometimes less.

And ya'll can laugh at me ifn you want, but sometimes if I'm really wantin
to look at something good, I'll take it off the Ram mount and hold it right
up to my nose :D left the cables with a lot of slack in them so I can hold
it in my lap and tilt it around or hold it up close. Bimini top up helps too
when it's sunny. On a side note, I got to spend a few hours lookin at
a friends brand new 997 this weekend, and was a little disappointed that
it didn't really seem much easier to see in the sun. Washed out same as
my old 797.

First off, I love tech stuff. Second, I owned a 997 which I sold when I was selling my boat. I really love the 997, more so then the boat!

Since I am in need of a new one, I decided to try the HDS-8. I have been enjoying it for the last few weeks. For some reason, I purchased both the 997 and now the HDS-8 in the first year they were released. Both had various issues. The 997 turned out to be a stellar tool. I have the same faith that the HDS units will do the same.

Originally Posted by RGecy

laserdoc,

Yes the 797c screen is a little small, but if you get familiar with what you are seeing you will start to see the cover and fish clearly.

I am amazed every day with he detail these units provide. I use mine mainly for diving but also do a little fishing. I have converted untold Lowrance diehards when they see the images I can get when looking for structure or schools of fish.

With the smaller screen you will need to keep the SI Range lower. Its kind of like a zoom feature, the wider the range the smaller the targets look. The shorter the range the larger the targets will appear.

Where I can use the 997 at 100', you will need to cut yours down to 50-75'. A good rule of thumb is set the SI Range to 2 to 3 times your depth. If you are fairly shallow, maybe 4 times the depth, but again, your targets will appear smaller.

If you are trying to spot individual sm to med fish, this is going to be the only way. Otherwise you will probably only be able to larger fish or schools and bait balls.

Good Luck,

RGecy

"SideImagingSoft.com - Humminbird Side Imaging Forums"

Guess all I can do is try,try and try again

All I can say is I love my 797. I did upgrade to the bigger puck and love it 3 times more. The only thing I would trade it for would be the bigger screened ones.

Ok played some more with it. I tilted the transducer down some and now I do not loose bottom lock when I'm doing full speed which is 30 mph. This makes me happy
As far as the SI are you saying if I'm in say 20 feet of water my range should be set to 50 to 75 foot. And if I'm in 10 foot set it to 20 to 40 feet? I did notice today if I was in 7 to 10 foot of water if I ran the distance down to say 2 or 10 feet ,I would only get a black screen??
What is a good baseline for the new SI enhance modes??
sensitivity,contrast,etc...

I run my 997 sens 10, cont 10, sharp off. did you try using just left or right side.
Check this site out
http://www.xumba.scholleco.com/index.php