Thread: I bought a 899 HB today

I just mounted mine and used it once, but I liked the 455 returns better. Though, I did do the upgrade! Once, you open the package, it can not be swapped. FYI

If you don't upgrade now, you will wish you did at some point in the future.

Ok guys, I called Humminbird today and was all set to do the upgrade and the representative talked me completely out of it. She said they did a casual poll among representatives and pooled the information together to reveal it's not worth it. It's worth it on a peace of mind level IMO, I can deal with runnin 455 and save the 90 dollars.

This surprised me, you would naturally think their reps would push for the upgrade. The 455 apparently has some advantages over the 800 that make it worthy.

With the HDSI transducer you can do either one.......I'm sure the standard transducer will be fine, it is just that sometimes I want to take a real good look at something with 800

Most (pros included) tend to stay on 455kHz for the simple fact that the overall image is brighter all the way to the edges of the screen...(even tho it is fuzzier)...

And it's aggrivating the amount of button pushes it takes to change the image frequency to 800kHz...(it would be handier in the SI Xpress menu)...

I'm like Bob...sometimes I just want to see a crisper image of what's directly under me...the HDSI gives me that option...

Rickie

I think it really just gets down to how closely you look at the sonar returns on the unit. If you don’t want/need the added detail that the HDSi transducer can give you (both in the 455kHz and the 800kHz Si/Di sonar), than it would not be worth the cost to exchange. However, if you are going to closely study the Si sonar you should upgrade the transducer. This is especially true if you review the Si sonar on your computer.

I have the same decision to make... Plus one other question
Once the upgrade is complete and I install the new transducer won't I need another transducer and y cable so that I get sonar readings when going fast?

Originally Posted by Hkshooter18

I have the same decision to make... Plus one other question
Once the upgrade is complete and I install the new transducer won't I need another transducer and y cable so that I get sonar readings when going fast?

I think that transducer placement determines how good of a reading you get at speed, not transducer type.