What is your dream fish finder/sonar set up?

[Detmerdj]

I currently have a HB 798CI HD SI unit, I still have the stock transducer which probably needs to be upgraded to the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T. The new side imaging technology is new to me, for the most part I understand how it work and I have a pretty good grasp on interpreting the images. Im just not getting very clear images or any images at all when I know there is a set of beds or some structure underneath the boat. I have the HB 798 mounted on my trolling motor so I can "in theory" see 360* by slowly rotating the trolling motor. (I'm not sure if i am actually gaining anything by doing this, it just made sense to me when i mounted it).


Im strongly debating getting a larger unit for better resolution and overall better performance. What types of set ups are working good for everyone? Should I get a straight DI unit for the bow and an SI unit for the console? I currently don't have a unit on the console because i spend most time up front.
I don't mind paying the $$ if its going to be worth it in the long run. I don't want to spend a fortune but I do want something that is going to be expandable (like a future i-pilot), upgradable, and halfway reliable.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[Cane Pole]

My dream would be to have the ability to integrate all makes and modes on the Ethernet to share information. Crossing the "manufacturers greed barrier" would make for simple decisions and we could pick and choose what we like without a complete colonscopy.

[Detmerdj]

That would be great. So lets say you can pick and choose, what would you do? What if you couldn't integrate different brands, who would you use and why?

[brush pile]

I will tell u what I just bought. I got a lowrance touch 9 at console and an elite 7 at the bow. I am extremely pleased and don't see how I could do any better. Got the elite because I didn't want the SI up front where I am fishing. I would look like a drunken boater if I could see beside me while fishing. Just my opinion but it is going to be a great set up once I figure out how to use it

[rnvinc]

Can you post some screenshots from your 798...??

Maybe you have an xducer installation issue...or need some settings tweaking...

Rickie

[Detmerdj]

Im trying to recover the screen shots that i just deleted, i will try and post asap.

As far as settings, i have mostly everything in the midrange with some minor tweaking. I try and keep my side imaging to about 50 ft so i have better resolution, but it still isn't that great.

Does anyone have any baseline settings that work great besides what I've mentioned?

[rnvinc]

Im trying to recover the screen shots that i just deleted, i will try and post asap.

As far as settings, i have mostly everything in the midrange with some minor tweaking. I try and keep my side imaging to about 50 ft so i have better resolution, but it still isn't that great.

Does anyone have any baseline settings that work great besides what I've mentioned?

*Set the Beam Select under the Sonar tab to 200kHz...(screens scrolls faster with this setting)...
*Max Depth Setting under Sonar tab to 10' deeper than your water depth...
*Chart speed to match boat speed...
*Keep boat path as straight as possible
*SI Sensitivity to brighten/darken the screen
*SI Contrast 10 (unless looking specifically for fish...then 12-14)..
*SI Sharpness Off
*Pick a SI pallette color that works well for the sunny or cloudy day..

Rickie

[Detmerdj]

Thanks, I will have to input those settings.

Im trying to attach a few of my better pics, the quality isn't the best. They seem a little grainy to me.

Let me know if you have any input.

[rnvinc]

The 1st SI pic looks like the Chart Speed was a little too fast...stretching the echoes...

The 2nd SI pic looks like the Contrast may be a tad high...(or Sharpness too high)...either can cause graininess...

The 3rd SI pic...do you remember what setting was changed that caused the abrupt change in the history about 1/3 down the screen...??

Rickie

[Detmerdj]

The only thing that would have changed would be the SI viewing distance.
I have the transducer mounted on the trolling motor so the hiccup in pic 3 could be movement of the t-motor.