Humminbird True DownImaging by John Easton / FishTec

[Fishton]

On the 13th January 2010 the ‘DownImaging’ firmware was released by Humminbird. After many passes, this image was the best I could get on 455kHz and passing fractionally off to one side of the subject.



Thirteen months later (8 April 2011) I returned to this tree and took another screenshot on wide mode, while passing DIRECTLY over the top of it.



This first release version of ‘DownImaging’ was created by superimposing the left and right views. This was done because the transducer only had left and right facing piezoelectric cells for the 455kHz and 800kHz, and two down looking piezoelectric cells for 83kHz and 200kHz. The problem with this was that in some cases, two subjects that could have been up to +100ft apart to the left and right, appeared to be side by side directly beneath the boat.



Humminbird has since released true down looking high frequency sonar with the 570, 597 & 788 HD DI models. This transducer has 455/800kHz and a 200kHz directly down facing piezoelectric cells, giving true down looking sonar.



After a very quick and easy installation and a simple setup, I was on the water. On my first pass over this tree I got this image on 800kHz. The detail and resolution of this image is just fantastic!

[mduncan62]

John good to see you on here, and good shot. Is there an ETA on an updated transducer for the SI units? Seems that the 798,898, 998, and 1198 units have the short end of the stick right now with regards to the DI feature. I guess if someone wanted Great DI to go with their SI unit, they could just buy one of the DI units to compliment the 7, 8, 9. and 11 series SI units, is that what you are saying with this post? With the Lowrance HDS you buy one unit, and it does both DI and SI well. What is your preference for high end units.

Hope the fishing is good over there, and I've enjoyed keeping up with you on Facebook also.

[Barnacle Bill]

Thank you for deleting that post CR.

[Fishton]

John good to see you on here, and good shot. Is there an ETA on an updated transducer for the SI units? Seems that the 798,898, 998, and 1198 units have the short end of the stick right now with regards to the DI feature. I guess if someone wanted Great DI to go with their SI unit, they could just buy one of the DI units to compliment the 7, 8, 9. and 11 series SI units, is that what you are saying with this post? With the Lowrance HDS you buy one unit, and it does both DI and SI well. What is your preference for high end units.

Hope the fishing is good over there, and I've enjoyed keeping up with you on Facebook also.

Hi mduncan62,

Thank you, good to be here!

Unfortunately I have no info on the new DI transducers for the 797, 798, 898, 997, 998, 1197 and 1198 models.

Someone on the 'other' board mentioned that if you had to network a 788 to the 898, 998, 1197 or 1198 models via Ethernet, you will get true DI on BOTH units. Now that will be awesome!

This is the first 788ci HD DI to hit our SA shores, and yesterday was the first day I got to play with it. So look out for a full feature review coming soon.

[mduncan62]

I guess that sounds awesome, unless you consider that someone who buys a 898-1198 unit would expect it to perform to spec, without spending another 6-800USD to buy DI through networking another unit.

From what I understand, Lowrance has filed for and will be receiving a patent on their transducer for the LSS-1 which will block HB from having 3 crystals in a single transducer, which would result in HB xx98 units adding a second tx to get "true" DI. That would stink for HB.

Since you use both brands, have you done a side by side comp. between the 2 brands "di only" units?

[Fishton]

I guess that sounds awesome, unless you consider that someone who buys a 898-1198 unit would expect it to perform to spec, without spending another 6-800USD to buy DI through networking another unit.

From what I understand, Lowrance has filed for and will be receiving a patent on their transducer for the LSS-1 which will block HB from having 3 crystals in a single transducer, which would result in HB xx98 units adding a second tx to get "true" DI. That would stink for HB.

Since you use both brands, have you done a side by side comp. between the 2 brands "di only" units?

I think both companies should have the right to run with technology at '200mph' - we as anglers can only benefit from this.

And yes, I am planning a full Comparison Type Review.

[Stymie]

What is that animal in the middle of your picture? And please don't quote Mike, as some of us are trying to ignore him.

Thank you.

[Fishton]

What is that animal in the middle of your picture? And please don't quote Mike, as some of us are trying to ignore him.

Thank you.

LOL

It is a Zebra ....

[Stymie]

That photo, looks like a zebra. The first.....I don't know....the tree tells me its the same thing.

Welcome John. Please, let everyone know who your sponsors are, maybe a short history on the skirmish on the "other" board last year, and of course, why you feel it important to share with us. Are you also sharing this information on the walleye and bass boards??

[Fishton]

Stymie,

Thanks for the welcome.

I am not sponsored by anybody, but am the owner of FishTec.

Sonar owners started asking questions that the salesman or the user manual could not answer. I was spending so much time on forums, typing emails and on the phone that I had to turn my time into something that would at least cover my costs. And that is how FishTec got started. To call FishTec a business would be a bit of a lie, because a business is only a business when it makes a profit. So for now we can only refer to FishTec as a passion.

I am one of the many self acclaimed 'Sonar Gurus' out there. The problem with sonar is that it usually takes the form of 'interpretation by the individual', and this is very shaky ground at the best of times.

Taking the advice from individuals like Samson, Vahrenberg, Frasier and others like myself - and then deciding what part of this info works for you, is the best way to become an all round sonar guru yourself.

I love ALL fishing, saltwater and freshwater - as long as I know there is a sonar screen nearby. Thumbs Up