899 side and down imaging looks awful

[Zippy]

Well the saga of the fishfinder continues. After upgrading from a 398 SI to a helix SI to an 899 SI I have seen them all on the screen while in use and on humviewer. Went out today with the 899 and the compact transducer (decided to keep it and upgrade later if needed). Recorded several tracks to review at home. While on the water I was unable to see much of anything even in areas that I new were loaded with wood. Looked at only one side at a time, turned off read outs, and played with sensitivity. Had to turn sensitivity way down to 2 or 3 to be able to see. Down imaging was so fuzzy it wasn't even worth looking at. Figured I would still have some fun looking at the recordings on humviewer so just relied on 2d which worked great and the jigging mode was awesome.

Got home looked at my recordings and as hard as it is to believe it looked worse than the screen did on the water? Since I still have enough time to return this fishfinder I wanted to check for advice. I have read through all the past posts but don't know what I can do to improve this. I do have a full understanding of the controls since I'm a bit of a ravenous reader when excited about something. Had chart speed at 1 or 2 and moving at about the same speed 1or2 mph. 50 foot view to the side in 10 feet of water. Thanks for any advise. Btw the helix side imaging both on the screen and on humviewer was much better than this with the same transducer

[Zippy]

[Zippy]

Third picture down on right side are two distinct pilings. Last picture on the right side was where I had just caught 40 fish. Can you tell what I'm doing wrong by these pictures? I noticed my speed was very slow could that be an issue? Also wonder why everything looks so extreme, from washed out to really bright. Also the water looks generally fuzzy.

[rnvinc]

I have found that some days it just doesn't come together ... Be it water conditions, bottom conditions, the moon and Jupiter not aligned correctly ...who knows ...

Try to find some harder bottom for experimenting ...seems to me I have the most difficulty over her soft bottom trying to get enough of reflection to show any detail ...

I really think the 800kHz of the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T would help your detail greatly ... There's a huge difference in the amount of data being collected in that higher frequency SI beam ...



Rickie

[kickingback]

It looks to me to be reading the smaller transducer signal. You just need to adjust the sensitivity and image on screen to get the picture you want. Look up you tube videos on how to adjust your Humminbird and go out and try again. The lighter and darker areas are hard and soft bottoms. It is reading ok it just needs tweaking.
Trust me when I say the HD transducer MAKES a difference. Get it when you can. I have the 899 and mine works perfect. Yours will look better soon. Good luck.

[Greenwing]

I think you're right about the slow speed, 3-4 mph works best for me for SI and DI.

[Zippy]

Ok guys, thank you. I do plan on buying the transducer outright when I can since I couldn't wait for the exchange process (month and a half wait time). Was wondering if adjusting sensitivity on the water changes the recorded view or is that just a visual preference while in use? This is all mud bottom river and I did have the sensitivity very low. It looked too bright to me even at the factory default, wonder why? The 2d worked great and the jigging mode was perfect. Turning it on and off made a huge difference seeing my jig. Anyone having an issue when switching from side imaging to another screen and then back? Side imaging jumps into contour mode until the new data fills the screen everytime I switch and return. Also does anyone notice a slight reset (pause) in the data on side imaging every once in a while? It leaves a line across the screen each time. Maybe this is just at slower chart speeds.

[rnvinc]

The HB unit records the raw data ... Changing settings during recording will not affect the recording ... (Except for... changing the Imaging Frequency will change the recording because the unit cannot record both frequencies from the same SI piezo at the same time) ...

The view changing to Contour Mode... I have not heard of in any of the forums ... This must be something software version specific ... Try Restore Defaults and see if that goes away ...

Also ...some software versions show pauses in my SI scroll ... Some do not ... Some versions even show left and right SI scrolling Un-synced ... Gremlins shall be present = "Depth finder commandment #1" ...

Rickie

[Zippy]

Thanks Rickie will keep playing with it. I was just concerned it might be a fundamental issue with my specific unit. If is just some adjustments and getting used to it I'm happy with that. Screen size is great, sure bigger would be better but the 800 series screen is a happy medium. Convinced that for people with bad eyes nothing smaller would do other than straight 2d

[MonteSS]

Humviewer is not very good IME