Help picking combo GPS/Sonar for 2 Boats

I have a 24' pontoon that I use for recreation as well as striper/catfish fishing in the lake.

I also have a 16' polar kraft (jon boat) that I use for similar fishing as well as bass, crappie and the like. I also use this boat in rivers, creeks/marsh around the coast for fishing, bowfishing and hunting.

I have been using a small dash mounted monochrome humminbird depth finder that came with the pontoon, which is fine for recreation, but not too good for real fishing.

I would like to buy one nicer unit with an extra mount/transducer and wire it to use on either boat. Size is a consideration as I don't want something over the top in the small boat. I also want to use lake maps.

I have been looking at the Garmin 535s, Lowrance HDS-5 and Humminbird 788ci. Any comments on these or other units that I should be considering? The down scan feature on the next model up Humminbird and structure scan on the Lowrance is intriguing as well.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

The Humminbird's mount and connections are all in one. Just pop the head unit on and off it's base. Garmin, and I imagine Lowrance also, you have to unplug connections and remove the head from the mount. The Garmin should only have 1 plug for power and transducer, I think the Lowrance would have 2 plugs. A fellow just posted a picture of a Lowrance or Eagle plug connection breaking out of the head unit. I would think the less connections, the less chance for damage or error. Also you have to consider the cost for the extra mounts, transducers and powercords.

Humminbird is coming out with down scan? How did I miss that?

Skip the Garmin and make your choice between the H'bird and Lowrance. Of the two models, the H'bird is better IMO. It'd be Lowrance if you were comparing a HDS7 to the 788 though. If you're talking SI, Hbird is the more economical choice until you realize a 5" screen just doesn't cut it and anything bigger makes it more of an "investment" than a purchase.

Personally, I hate the quick detach head of the H'birds. Slap an extra ram ball on the spare boat and two good connectors later, you're back in bidness on the extra ride.

Just my random thoughts, but Cane Pole knows I'm right.

Speckwick, October called and wonders where you've been. LOL.

Wannabe...

Years ago I had a bird with quick connect. All I can say is it was a good thing it floated. Don't know if they improved since then.

Here are the spec's on the 788.

788c Combo
788ci Combo

$649.99 MRP


5” TFT LCD
640v x 640h
Temp included
Speed capable
DualBeam PLUS 200kHz / 20º 83kHz / 60º
500 Watts RMS
4000 Watt PTP
Dual SD card slot
3 “soft-key” preset buttons
GPS (internal & external models)
Navionics compatible
Quick Disconnect Mount
Optional in-dash mounting

A friend of mine just got the 788. nice unit in my opinion.

Lowrance these days isn`t worthy of me drilling a hole in my boat. Just personal opinion base on a $500 experience.

Wish I had a 788 on my console.

What are your thoughts about going with the 798ci si as compared to the others? Would the benefits of the side/down imaging be lost on the smaller screen? Is down scan available yet on this model?

All my sonars and etc. are transportable. I can plug any play any unit on any boat, even yours. All I need is a cigarette plug in female type. Well, I have one of them too. Just need a 12v power source.

When I puts all my gadgets on my Jon boat, I have to create positive buoyancy (my fat butt) astern (that in the back) so I don't get water over the bow. Wannabe is rite.

Only problem I have is Lowrance stuff now is NMEA2000 and Hbirds are NMEA0183. They don't like each other and it gripes my a$$.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SCsportsman

What are your thoughts about going with the 798ci si as compared to the others? Would the benefits of the side/down imaging be lost on the smaller screen? Is down scan available yet on this model?

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Down Imaging will be available this month with a simple software upgrade.

I've been running a pre-release version of Down Imaging this fall, and it's been a great addition to my fish- and structure-locating toolbox. If you're interested in learning more about Down Imaging, check out my tutorials at the link below:

Humminbird's latest sonar technology for finding fish and structure

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SCsportsman

What are your thoughts about going with the 798ci si as compared to the others? Would the benefits of the side/down imaging be lost on the smaller screen? Is down scan available yet on this model?

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Now, this is just my opionion and it's a total coincidence that I'm absolutely right: I have a 797. The SI is usable, but I'm constantly craning forward and shielding against the sun to study the image. In addition, the transducer that came with it does not give as high a resolution/detail as the 997 of the same vintage...although the 997 ducer would work for the 797, I just haven't spent the bucks as the image I get is very good....just very small. To combat this, if I'm interested in an area, I'll turn it down to 75 ft and only shoot one side at a time which is actually pretty good, but I'm missing the other side of the image.

Not sure if the 798 ducer is as good or the same as the 998 now. IMO, I'd save up until I could afford at least the 898 with a 7" screen and completely skip over the 798 as an option if SI is what you're after.

Wannabe...

Anyone know what ducer the 798 uses? Also, if I go a step up from the 798 (maybe 900 series), any particular place I should buy? Didn't know if there were any deals out there.

The 798 does not use the same transducer as the 898, 997/998, or 1197 use. The 798 comes with the small, XNT-9-SI-180-T transducer, while the other models come with the larger, high definition XHS-9-HDSI-180-T transducer. However, I believe that the 798 can accept the HDSI transducer if your boat is equipped with one.