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I have a new Humminbird 899 and I'm trying to figure it out. I know there are a bunch of settings, but can anyone help me with the main ones used for crappie fishing. I know all units are different and each individual is different, but any suggestions on settings to at least get me started would be appreciated.
The manual didn't help me either. Did you get the DVD tutorial? That's where I got all my information.
if you send me a pm stating what you need to learn, I'll try and work you through it. I've had my 899 for 3 months now and been playing with it since I got it. Yesterday it paid off big time, allowed me to find some suspended fish 25-29 feet in 30-35 feet. But it took me most of the day to find them.
I split my screen so I can see the old fashion views, and compare them with the Si/Di views. I also made it a point to go look at structure that I know where and what it was, so I can again compare views. They the views, are entirely different. But once you know what you're looking at, it comes together. Anyway send me a pm.
Woodie, take a look on youtube with Doug Vandenburg I believe his name may be misspelled but he has a lot of videos on Hummnbirds 800 and higher.
Woodie, the correct spelling is Doug Vahrenberg sorry to mislead you. I got a lot of tips from his stuff.
Ditto's about watching a lot of the Vahrenburg video's and others posted on YouTube. Also, plan to spend time on the water practicing different settings. Your sensitivity and contrast are very important, along with background colors. I've spent a lot of time working to get it right and it does pay off. Remember that what looks great at 8:00 in the morning can be hard to read at 1:00 in the bright sunlight. One other thing--although I've been using the Onix 8 and not the 899, you may want to do what I did: print out the manual, put it in a notebook and keep it with you on the boat. Spend the time necessary to get it dialed-in right and it will pay off with more fish.
What they said you will have to just get out and try it. Everybody likes everything a little different
Spend a day on the water and leave your rods at home. Use the unit at different lighting and speeds using all the settings. Mark any new areas as your doing this.
I have an Excel spreadsheet with the settings for each category. Send me a PM with your email address and I will send you a copy. The settings will get you close to a good setup and you can tweak it from there to suit your needs. You can use the spreadsheet to update any changes that you make to your unit and you will have a record to go back to should you get things screwed up. I am on my 2nd 899; the first one had some software issues that couldn't be resolved and my present one will go crazy in 2D sonar mode and I have to do a factory reset to get it working right. The Spreadsheet makes it simple and fast to get set up to where I had it. I'm not the happiest camper with my 899 but when it is working right it can't be beat. With the cost of Humminbird units, you would think that they would put a high priority on resolving their performance issues. When I email you I will include some screenshots of the problems that I have had, and comments on what to do to cope with them.
Bruce