Can't help you with the bird Lonnie but I can get you with the rite people if you need anything answered. I would start with a DVD from Doctor Sonar ( Bruce Sampson). Sonar and Lowrance Education, DVDs and More | Doctor Sonar He has a new one out for Humminbird. This will get you started and maybe advanced before you know it.
Hope this helps,
Shane - Doctor Sonar Pro-Staff.
HB power cord and a 12V battery is a good way to learn to use it in the house this time of year. HB says that without the transducer hooked up it wont save all of your setting but it will save some. They told me it won't hurt it to hook it up that way, but i would make sure you have a fuse in it You can put it on simulator mode at start up and play with it that way. On the electronics forum there is a HB rep that is really good about answering any questions or problems you have. I run a 998 and 1158 net together and haven't had any problems with mine. I have had a 998 and a 998 HD and the HD was a much better pic and easier to see in high light conditions. I'm not an expert by any means but have been playing with them the last few years and will help if you want to take it out to the lake and play with it. getting the transducer mounted right effects how good the side imaging works. Maybe we can both learn something new
Hey Redge I do get down to oklahoma fish kaw and once in awhile oucha. I'll send you a pm see what we can do thanks.
Lots of info on youtube. Doug V has videos out there called tips and tricks. That's how I learned mine very helpful. There's other videos by people as well that will help you learn what you are looking at with side imaging.
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I'm down here in Valley Center and I currently use my HB 798. Not too much different compared to the 899, just a little smaller. Let me know if you have any questions or need any help. Also, when I purchased my 798, I did a lot of searching on the Electronics forum and received a ton of information. Just put 899 in the search function and you will find all kinds of things out there. Let me know if you need help with anything. They are fun to use. Good Luck!
I live in wichita and have some humminbird experience. I started with a humminbird 788, then moved up to 997si, 998si, and now 1199si. I can help you get started with most your needs.