The reason for the questions

I have had a 997 on the back of my boat for a few years now. I had a Lowrance LMS-334 on the front but I was wanting something to make it eaiser to share waypoints. I sold my 334 and had decided to get a HB 788ci for the front, but then a friend offered me a very good deal on HB 798 si........ So, this is why I have been asking the questions. still have the option of either. Second part of the uncertainess is I have a universal sonar in my trolling motor. So, I would have to add the tranducer to the trolling motor... Maybe, an option would be to have the 2D sonar off the universal sonar, and use the rear transducer (if I can) for the DI SI stuff. Not sure if one transducer can feed two sonars. I know HB makes a cable to use two diff tranducers into one unit, but don't know if you can use one transducer to feed two units. (one at a time)...... IDK...............

Anyway thanks for all the input, still not sure what I want to do. Not sure how much I would use DI/SI from the front. I am just used to scanning from the consol. I use the 2D while I am fishing. But IDK if I would use DI while fishing or not.

Your past and near future electronics set-up is similar to mine. I had a LMS-332 that was later replaced by a LCX-27. The other unit was a 997. Sharing waypoints between a Humminbird and a Lowrance was doable but was a PITA. I kept my 997 and went all Humminbird when I upgraded boats. You will like how much easier it is to share waypoints between units.

I would keep the 997 on the console with its SI transducer on the transom and put the 798 on the bow with its SI transducer strapped to the TM. Use the SI transducer on the TM for 2D and leave the universal sonar alone. Mount a GPS receiver near each transducer for both units for the best accuracy. Consider Interlink to make sharing waypoints really easy. I press the "Mark" button on one unit and the waypoint shows up on both screens.

I'll holler at you next time I'm in your neck of the woods.

Panman,
Thanks
Do you have to both units on when using the Interlink? I am going to go with that when $ allows. I usually turn off the rear sonar when fishing, because it puts lines on the front one (false returns to front) or do you just put it on the map or something?

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Originally Posted by wvspec

Panman,
Thanks
Do you have to both units on when using the Interlink? I am going to go with that when $ allows. I usually turn off the rear sonar when fishing, because it puts lines on the front one (false returns to front) or do you just put it on the map or something?

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I usually have both units on and recording. I move the recordings to my computer and can review them using third party software (Humviewer, Dr. Depth, Yellowfin, Deep Vision, etc.) in the evening . I keep the noise filters set to medium and do not see any interference lines on the graphs. My back seater can see the console unit and get the information needed from it without asking me what is on the bow unit. The Interlink is on when only one of the units is on and keeps the master waypoint database. If a unit is off, it will sync with the Interlink and get/delete waypoints next time it is on.

Example: You mark waypoints (brush piles) using the 997 on the console and turn it off before moving to the bow to fish. The unit on the bow will show the waypoints (brush piles) you just marked on the map when you turn it on. You can navigate to one of the new waypoints and catch slabs.:)

I do occasionally export the data.hwr file from the unit to SD card and then copy it to my PC so I can manage my waypoint database. When I have a new data.hwr file ready to load back on the boat, I delete all nav data from the boat system and insert the SD card in one of the units to load the file to both units and Interlink.

Thanks Pan, I talked to HB. I can use the one SI transducer and feed both units. To do this, you use a US3 switch. Only one unit can use the tranducer at a time. So I could use the 2D sonar from my I pilot and use the transducer on the back for scanning ( if I wanted) US3 switch is $80. Not sure what to do. I am going to set up the Interlink, just makes things too easy. : )