side image question about HB & Lowrance units....

[jeepguyjames]

I am considering a side imagining unit, looking at either the HB 798 or the lowrance HDS-5, I'm not looking to start a debate over what ones best or hear about who doesent work for who any longer, just a few simple questions.

first is there an advantage of one that has an external or internal antenna for the gps? I have a unit w/a external puck now and have the puck mounted right over the transducer that seems to work well but just wondering.

second with the side image or structure scan, lets say I mark structure on the SI view thats away from the boat, is there a way to save a way point on that structure i see on the screen, or does it just save the position of the boat, im a little un-clear on this.

third how does real shallow water affect this view, my thoughts are it would be way better for shallow water than a conventional single or daul beam, but I dont know a whole lot about it all so its just a thought

lastly I currently have a Eagle fish elite 480 on the rear of my boat that would be moved to the front troller if i make this purchase, I know eagle is made by lowrance, is there a way to network the two to share the way points?

any info would be great, hope you all have a great week, God bless all

[rdant]

Go to Bass boat central and you can get all your questions answered. I know someone here probably answer them also. I will tell you this, the HDS 5 screen is to small.

[jeepguyjames]

to be honest the 798 screen didnt look real big either, but it would be mounted close to where i am in the boat so i dont know how big a deal it would be. I just dont want to fork out that kind of money and be dissapointed, I dont think i would with either one, but just doing alot of reading and studying.

[bob baldwin]

I can answer most of your questions relative to Humminbird SI. First, GPS internal or external. Always go with external if possible - internal is convenient, but the GPS will perform much better with an external puck. Second, marking structure. If you run the cursor out to some structure and mark it, that is where the waypoint will be. Then you can navigate to it. Third, shallow water. SI works very well in shallow water. An example: if you are fishing a weed line in shallow water, you will be able to see exactly where the weeds are. Standard down looking 2d sonar will be almost useless in very shallow water, no matter the brand. And last, Eagle - sorry, I can't help you there, but there are others on here that can. Good luck.

bob baldwin
bryan, texas
997c SI
1197c SI
AS GRHA GPS

[sixfin]

I can answer your questions concerning the HDS5. I have a HDS 5 in my dash as well as two HDS 7's on the front and back.

1. Yes the external antenna (4000) will aquire satellites faster and track better and improve your accuracy. I highly recomend it. Do you have to have it?...No, but it really improves performance and is worth the extra money in my opinion.

2. Yes. You simply move your curser over the object you want to mark and push enter and that object (not the boat position) is marked. You can even scan back to something you ran over but is already off the screen and mark it. To utilize this feature best is where the external antenna comes into play. Locate your external antenna as close to your sidescan transducer as you can. Mine is mounted directly above my transducer on the top of the boat. If you don't do this, you will automatically induce a 10 feet error into your waypoint. The reason this occurs is because your internal antenna on your unit is where ever your unit is mounted. If its on your dash and your transducer is on the back of the boat, you will have an error of the distance the unit is away from the transducer. My unit is 10 feet away from the transducer so I mounted an antenna directly above the transducer to stop this error. ( I know it sounds complicated but its not).

3. Shallow water does reduce your range. On my HDS units I simply adjust my frequency to 455Hz ( I usually run in 800Hz because it provides a more detailed picture) and I can read out to about 60 feet on each side of the boat in 5 feet of water and get a clear picture. i can scan farther but the image beyond the 60 starts to get dark.

4. I'm not real sure on this but I don't think that the Eagle will network with it. If you have an Nema 2K plug on the back you probably will be able to but you will only be able to share waypoints. Again, I'm not real sure about this.

Hope this helps you in your decision. One more thing, the HDS 5 is really small for sidescanning. You can do it but the image is reallly hard to see. It will however do great on downscanning but to each his own. I suggest going out with someone that has one and see for yourself before you spend the money. Any more questions.. I will be glad to answer if I can.

[CUZZIN]

Good info Sixfin, I was out the other day learning my HDS 7 and when I came across a brush pile I would hit the way point button. Would this be the same as using the cursor to mark brush piles?

[sixfin]

Cuzzin,
As long as the transducer was over the top of it, that will work. If it was off to the side, you will have to use your curser or you will only be marking the position of the boat.

[sixfin]

Jeepguy,
If I'm not mistaken, your eagle 480 is just a fishfinder, right? If its the one I'm thinking of, it will not network with the HDS units.

[jeepguyjames]

Jeepguy,
If I'm not mistaken, your eagle 480 is just a fishfinder, right? If its the one I'm thinking of, it will not network with the HDS units.

No sir it has gps with and external puck, the only thing I was wondering is if there is a way to share way points between the 2, its not a huge deal in all honesty, if it doesent work that way couldn't I just get the cords off of the back unit and punch em in to the front unit? My setup (if I make this purchase) would be the eagle on the front, trolling motor mount with the puck right on the front deck as close to the transducer as possible and the HB or the lorwrance in the rear of the boat. My eagle has a slot for an SD card is there a way to share way points using that? I appreicate you fellas taking the time to share info with me. It really does help a tremendous amount, and is much appreicated. Its a lot of money (for me) yo drop on a FF unit and I want to make sure I educate myself about em before I make the purchase. Thanks again for the responses. God bless all.

[sixfin]

If your unit has the SD card slot, you can share waypoints by moving that card from one unit to the next. This might be something to weigh into your decision. If you have an Eagle and a Humingbird, its gonna be hard to share waypoints.