down imaging vs side imaging

[Eagle 1]

I hear you . wish I had down image .

[CrappiePappy]

Biggest advantages of SI over DI that I've seen .... is that you CAN tell which side of the boat the stuff you see is on & SI gives you nearly a full 90degs sonar ping to each side, whereas a DI's best range is about 75degs total. And if you get a unit that has both SI & DI ... and split the screen ... you've got the best of both worlds. But ... if money dictates that you would have to get a small screen SI/DI combo unit, then I'd stick with a DI unit with a larger screen for the same money.

... cp

[wannabe fisherman]

If it was only a nickel here we woukd be good to go. But I hate to spend several hundred dollars for something I won't use

If you had it you'd use it kind of like that baseball field, you know the one in the movie "build it, they will come"

[Dutch]

SI is well worth the money...image from my HB 999...you can see the brush piles under the boat on 2D/DI and the brushpiles out to sides of the boat.

[crappies nightmare]

Great pic describing it. I have 998s on both front and console. The more I learn how to use them the more I like them.

[jhef]

ive had both and i liked the side image but im just as happy with just down image. i know if i see something on my screen then its under me. i just use the helix 5 di unit with no gps. if i fished big waters id go back to a side image/gps unit. but im very happy fishing smaller electric only lakes..

[jaoeyp]

If you're only buying 1 unit, where you are putting it should dictate the answer to this. Front of the boat, stick with DI or 2D Sonar; console, get the SI. Pick based on where you're using it most. SI is best for when you are motoring through an area, looking for structure or schools to fish. Every HB with SI currently in production is also a GPS unit, so you can mark whatever you have found of interest as a GPS waypoint. Once you've done this and found a place(s) to fish, go to the front of the boat, drop the trolling motor and get on that spot with your DI/2D unit. To me, the ideal set up is two units that will network- SI on the console, DI or 2D up front, patched into each other so you can see waypoints on both, access the SI when you're up front, et cetera. This set up should help you put more fish in the boat.

[thill]

If you're only buying 1 unit, where you are putting it should dictate the answer to this. Front of the boat, stick with DI or 2D Sonar; console, get the SI. Pick based on where you're using it most. SI is best for when you are motoring through an area, looking for structure or schools to fish. Every HB with SI currently in production is also a GPS unit, so you can mark whatever you have found of interest as a GPS waypoint. Once you've done this and found a place(s) to fish, go to the front of the boat, drop the trolling motor and get on that spot with your DI/2D unit. To me, the ideal set up is two units that will network- SI on the console, DI or 2D up front, patched into each other so you can see waypoints on both, access the SI when you're up front, et cetera. This set up should help you put more fish in the boat.

Is this possible with the new Helix SI 5 units? I just saw the widescreen for $499, and I'm thinking of making the leap...

Thanks.

-TH

[rnvinc]

Is this possible with the new Helix SI 5 units? I just saw the widescreen for $499, and I'm thinking of making the leap...

Thanks.

-TH

Yes the new Helix SI is also a GPS Chartplotter ...allowing marking of waypoints out to the sides of the boat on the SI image ...

Rickie

[Dutch]

I mounted my 999 on the bow...I want to see whats to the sides as I am trolling.