Thread: High end electronics

Maybe you didn't load but sure thought that was you pulling into Herman's Landing. If it wasn't you, you have a twin brother out there somewhere that is in a blue tracker boat with a rod rack! lol!

Originally Posted by SlabMeister

Maybe you didn't load but sure thought that was you pulling into Herman's Landing. If it wasn't you, you have a twin brother out there somewhere that is in a blue tracker boat with a rod rack! lol!

Well, way to bust me out! So much for going incognito. You shoulda said hello.

Lowrance is my preference , and transducer angle on the SI makes all the difference in the world . Try one you will like it guaranteed

Seems like every time I think I've decided which brand to get, I read another thread like this and it's back to the drawing board! I want to keep it under a grand, and I'm still not sure which one I'll get. I'm gonna try to not get in a hurry.

For right at 1k $999.99 get the 899 bird. I've got one and I love it.

Originally Posted by Old Sarge

For right at 1k $999.99 get the 899 bird. I've got one and I love it.

When you buy it, don't forget to do the transducer exchange with humminbird. The hdsi transducer will give you better resolution on the 400khz si and also enable the 800khz si on the 899 just like the 999. Some transducer exchanges are free, but I think the exchange for the hdsi has a fee.

Originally Posted by RCC

When you buy it, don't forget to do the transducer exchange with humminbird. The hdsi transducer will give you better resolution on the 400khz si and also enable the 800khz si on the 899 just like the 999. Some transducer exchanges are free, but I think the exchange for the hdsi has a fee.

I just did what RCC suggests and it cost me $89.00 free shipping from HB for the upgraded transducer. It did cost about $6.00 shipping to mail them mine. Be aware that you cannot have opened the "hardware bag that is used to install the original transducer and you must return it at the same time. The upgrade also includes the mounting hardware for the $89

CA, I used Lowrance/Eagle products for around 30 years and then I bought a HB 798. Not real hard to figure it out. I always had just sonar and stepped up to DI about 2 years before I got the 798. What a difference I saw when I went to DI. I'm not a huge electronics fan. All I ever wanted to know was how deep is it and what's the water temp. Where I fish, brush piles are not in the picture because of all the natural cover.

After fishing Dardanelle and getting my butt stomped because I couldn't find the brush piles, I bought the 798. That has opened a whole new world. I'm finding all kinds of things and it's quite fun to ride around and "look" at the stuff in the lake. I even found someone's old trolling motor in Reelfoot! That's pretty cool.

What all that adds up to is that if you get a SI, even a lower end unit, you will see more than you have ever believed. You won't know what your missing with the HD. You can always upgrade if you like what you see and these units are getting good resale prices.

I bought the HB 798 and I am having some issues with it. It's got to go back to the factory and be rebuilt. For the 798 that's about $250 to return it and be completely refurbished. I'll have a brand new unit. I've been satisfied enough with the HB 798 that I just bought another HB to put on my console and I will move the 798 up front. I'm not pushing HB, but they are easy to understand/learn to use.