Now I am Confused

Had the Lowrance HDS-7 on my smaller jon boat for almost a month now and became immediately convinced that I had made the absolute best choice. When I decided to update the electronics on my larger boat (only 17' Grumman tracker-style boat) for crappie fishing on some of the bigger bodies of water I wanted to fish, made decision to go with a Humminbird 798ci SI. It was a purely economical decision since I didn't have to buy another LSS-1 (that's the side/down scan add on unit Lowrance makes) to the tune of $550-$650 additional.
Now that I've used the HB, I really like it too, but since both units use different commands and keys to navigate through the options, I'm really getting confused. I guess I'll need to focus on one first and really get it down pat and then focus on the other.
Anybody else have both and experience the same confusion? I know I'm a little slow on the uptake sometimes. Has me wondering if I should stick with one brand for both boats.

Mike

Pete, no need looking back, but like you said major on one first ,then the other. Those young guys can do two things at one time ,but us when fishing can't chew gum. LOL

Sounds like a very good problem to have to muddle thru.

D

I often fish in others boats especially in SW when I am asked to take the wheel, using different brands is not easy! No you are not slow, Lowrance and Humminbird use different style of user interfacing. I think/ guess it will just take you some time. I did find my humminbird easy to use out of the box for basics - but I had to reread the manual several times and ask here for help (often) on its more complex features- That I may deside NOT to use later... ( many features on my SW electronics, I don't use and some I don't even know about)
And :) -- Dayton is correct!

BTW where do you have your 798 mounted? I have mine near front, but SI (VIEW) is hard to see from drivers seat. I may it move to the side of and just to rear of front casting chair- so that with quick turn I can better see the SI and slow troll with OB looking for structure . ( Please do not get me wrong-- I can see depth-fish finder and All other "views" clearly- SI returns are just so small because it is displaying SUCH A large wide area)

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Originally Posted by HeyCharlie

BTW where do you have your 798 mounted? I have mine near front, but SI (VIEW) is hard to see from drivers seat. I may it move to the side of and just to rear of front casting chair- so that with quick turn I can better see the SI and slow troll with OB looking for structure . ( Please do not get me wrong-- I can see depth-fish finder and All other "views" clearly- SI returns are just so small because it is displaying SUCH A large wide area)

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On the jon boat, I have the HDS-7 mounted near the tiller (back) very easy to see and adjust, especially with the big screen. I have a Garmin up front that I will probably replace with a Lowrance HDS-5 (or 7 if I have the money) so I can network them. On the other boat, I put the Humminbird 798ci SI on the console, up front is a Lowrance fishfinder (don't remember the model, but I bass-fished and only used it to see how deep I was anyway). On that boat, I will probably replace the front deck unit with another HB 798 as money allows.

With my limited experience with these technical goodies, my thoughts were to use the sidescan while looking for fish and structure (usually at the tiller or console) and switch to 2D/Downscan on the trolling motor up front while actually fishing.

Mike

with the few trips I have been on, I have gotten were I like the side scan while hovering over structure also -while fishing. I'm not using to down imaging (yet?) but do like the color DF view. When I switch to (colorDF and SI showing) view I feel it gives me complete pic of whats down there (this view)
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...son/002-53.jpg

BTW, the white lines on the bottom, rightside of screen @ 50' out most likely were stripers.
Crappie were all around - in the brush,, mostly directly under and to left of boat.

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Originally Posted by HeyCharlie

with the few trips I have been on, I have gotten were I like the side scan while hovering over structure also -while fishing. I'm not using to down imaging (yet?) but do like the color DF view. When I switch to (colorDF and SI showing) view I feel it gives me complete pic of whats down there (this view)

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I seldom use the Side Image while stopped (hovering) since I notice a hard drop in quality. I assume you could try to match screen speed more closely to your almost stopped boat speed, but I prefer not to mess with my screen speed once I have it tuned to boat speed. Once I abandon my Scanner to go to the bow and fish, I feel like 2D/downscan tells me all the information (better) than anything else I've found.

Anyway, that's what's working best for me. I continue to play with the unit(s) and learn what else I can do, once comfortable with one feature. I'm sure you are doing the same.

Mike

Charlie, you'll should feel guilty wiyh those units while I don't have one. LOL maybe someday. Keep learning ,if I was to get one you or Tap can help me with it.