Thread: Help??? SI/DI combo....

It's good that you have a budget already decided...that narrows down the field of choices...

Next question is....what are the future plans....??

*Stand alone unit forever..??
*Mounted to 1 boat only - or swappable on multiple stations and/or boats..??
*Possible additional networked units ...??
*Interest in future add-on accessories..(iPilot, Cannonlink, Pilot 1, Radar, AIS, engine data network)....??

Rickie

Hey Rickie thanks for the reply... It is more then likely going to be a stand alone unit on a 1542 aluminum flat bottom boat.... Don't plan on linking or adding anything to it.... I do have a Ranger and might get a separate set of transducers and cables and mounts so I can switch out the unit onto that later on.... Thanks Cody

Depending on what your approximate $$ range is....that approximate $1500 is going to put you into the range of the HB 800-900 series SI Combos....or the Lowrance HDS 7-8 (Gen2) or 9Touch...

For the future plan of a setup station on your OTHER boat....::

If you decide the HB series....you would need ...
*gimbal bracket
*power source
*HDSI Xducer (2d/DI/SI)
*GPS antenna

If you decide Lowrance Gen1 or Gen2...you would need..
*gimbal bracket
*power source
*HDS Xducer (2d)
*LSS Xducer (DI/SI)
*LSS module

If you decide Lowrance Touch series...you would need..
*gimbal bracket
*power source
*HDS Xducer (2d)
*LSS Xducer (DI/SI)

So, as you can see, the hardware differences in the the "second station" on your other boat's future plans can have an important bearing on your decision for the unit of choice..

Rickie

Thanks so much Rickie.... With those three above mentioned am I looking at $1500 ish for the display and then extra for the hardware or is that hareware included? I realize that I still have a lot of researching to do and I have around 6 more months before I make my purchase.... I am just glad that we have a site like crappie.com where I can get such great help.... Cody

Had similar dilemma and budget. I eventually went with a humminbird 998 c si. It had the SI/DI that I wanted and it had them all in one unit (no extra hardware or transducer for the SI). I have seen and heard great reviews about both products Lowrance and Humminbird. This was just a choice I made and I am happy with it. You may find some good sales at the end of the year when folks try to reduce their inventory to get the new models (Site sponsors have good deals - send them a PM when the time comes). One piece of advice I have is that you may wish to have a some $$ put aside (approx 100-150) to buy a product that supplies enhanced navigation and sonar data (lakemaster/navionics). That purchase has come in very handy. I chose a Navionics product because the states I fish were covered on one chip..

Originally Posted by CDavisLPN

Thanks so much Rickie.... With those three above mentioned am I looking at $1500 ish for the display and then extra for the hardware or is that hareware included? I realize that I still have a lot of researching to do and I have around 6 more months before I make my purchase.... I am just glad that we have a site like crappie.com where I can get such great help.... Cody

Cody...Your initial unit purchase (approx $1500 you said) will be for 1 unit station on your present boat...ready to use..

The examples I gave in that post is only for the "second station" hardware you would need to buy and install extra in order to move the head unit from your present boat to the second boat...

Do you need me to list the things you would need to purchase for setting up your initial purchase station..??

Rickie

Hey thanks Rickie and Pat.... So I am thinking I want to go with the humminbird 998 c si more then likely. I have been reading some reviews though and was wondering where you have yours mounted Pat? If it is on the transom do you have any problems with it working while on plane? And Rickie I read on another review that it has a separate antenna that you have to buy for the GPS is that correct? Cody

No, the 998 units come with a an external GPS Receiver in the box.