Thread: Sideimaging worth the cost?

I feel that Humminbird Side Imaging units are VERY MUCH worth the expense. I know they help me catch more fish...by allowing me to pass over large expanses of fishless water and focus on water that is holding fish.

For lots of information on using Side Imaging to identify fish and structure, check out this site and the links contained on it:

Instructional articles for Humminbird Side Imaging sonar units

The clearest Side Images will be obtained when you are moving at a relatively constant speed in an approximately straight path. Gentle turns are ok, quick turns lead to significant distortion. Keep that in mind if you're going to mount the transducer on the trolling motor.

Hell yes they're worth it! I have a Lowrance on my boat. It is mounted on the transom and I don't fish for anything but crappie. I use mine to pass over my crappie beds with the downscan on and you can see fish in there as plain as day. If I don't see anything I move on. Just as Jason said, you eliminate a lot of water. Are they worth the money? Depends on how much you fish and how devoted you are to fishing. Crappie fishing is my only hobby. I use to ride dirtbikes and duck hunt. I can guarentee you I spent more money on shotguns and parts than I do on fishing, so you have to weigh the priority of your hobbies.

no there not <im just mad im broke>but get one anyways i fish with poeple who have them and man its night and day

I have a 987 on my trolling motor. It's really hard to keep the boat going in a straight line while watching the screen. Nearly impossible to do by yourself. If you have the double seat setup, one could watch and one could steer. Otherwise, dont waste your time. Haven't tried it with auto pilot tho.

Works ok with autopilot when wind is down and the water ain't choppy.

Too many err-err's screw the image, but underwater structure can still be rendered.. MOAO

yes they are worth it. especially crappie fishing

Thanks guys for the feedback, any other opinions are also welcomed. So it looks like running it on the troll motor seems to not be ideal with the constant turning/moving. I have a possible idea I got from looking at different adjustable type transducer mounts. Would it be possible to have a bracket or pole to mount the transducer on that could be lowered down into the water up front while fishing or scanning rather than on the transom? that way turning the trolling motor wouldn't affect it and all waypoints etc. would be closer to where i'm sitting?? We fish alot of small coves, bayous, etc. that i wouldn't want to run the outboard thru to scan and was hoping to use the troll motor to scan??? Just thinking out loud. Thanks again for all the feedback.

TJ

I am considering making the plunge. I have two concerns that is holding me up and hoping to hear from some experienced users.

1) I am leaning towards the 798 because of the cost difference in it and the 900 or 1000 series. I am concerned that the small 5" screen being too small making it difficult to see the details of structure and contours. I am sure the learning curve is challanging enough with a larger screen SI unit.

2) I regularly fish an area that I must travel thru a stump filled backawter area to get to. I am concerned with the larger ducer on the SI holding up thru the abuse.

Thanks in advance for any and all input.