797si First review...

[Cane Pole]

I finally got some cockpit time in on the 797. I rigged up a battery eliminator circuit and eliminated the need for the 9v batteries to run the simulator. This worked out great. I can now run my 797 sitting in the house in my lounge chair for as long as I care to do so. Lots easier sitting in the lounge chair than sitting in the boat all day. ha

It was easy to eliminate the 2 batteries since they were connected in series to produce 18 volts to run the 797. The spec states 10 to 20 volts at 650 ma. Nine volt batteries want last long in the simulator mode. Probably, at best, get 15 minutes "cockpit time" with new batteries. Humminbird gives this usage warning.

The simulator is a great learning tool. I can navigate thru the unit now with ease. It also allowed me to setup different views and configurations and look at them. This helps a lot, but it doesn't replace on the water time. I don't have to fiddle with the buttons much now, as I have pretty much got it down with the simulator practice.

Lots of stuff I will never use in the 797 menu. So I disabled, hid, or turned it off. Makes it simple when you don't have to pan through a bunch of stuff you don't use.

I also visited the side imaging yahoo groups. Some good poop there. It is hard to search specific items thru the groups.

What I need now is water time. 31 more days and I will have plenty of time..
after I get the 200 page honey do list finished.

Thus far, I like it. There are a couple of things I ain't too fond of, but all in all, I think it is a good unit. Time will tell, that is if I live that long.