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I am thinking about purchasing a HB 898. Before I make the plunge I want other opinions on this unit. Is it really worth it. I am basically a weekend warrior fishermann with 2-3 lakes i fish regularly. Lakes are fairly shallow with a max depth of 30ft.
I would try and find places that still hve the 997 and get it for the same price.
There aren't any out there in service to give an opinion on but for $1,295, it may be a bargain for a big screen Bird. It's an inch smaller screen than the 998c. You know it will have the latest electronic boards (PCB's) for future expansion and the latest software. Right now, the 997c is the only comparison to go by but it's not going to have the latest hardware like the 898c will have. For the moment, operation will be the same though.
Buy it. If you don't like it, ill trade you my 997 for it. I just want the video out.
If HB would do a mainboard upgrade for my 997, I would almost kiss their tail feathers.
They could offer this if they wanted to.
I have use a for the video out.
$1,295???? Where did you find that??? Everywhere i look they are 1499. I was gonna wait for the 898 to come out but basspro said it would be mid march before they would be gettin any. Ordered a clearanced 997 for 1399 last week. Do the update free that hb provides and you still have side imaging and down imaging AND you have the larger screen with the 997 still. No brainer for me. I see cane pole said something about video out. Im not smart enough to even know what hes talking about so;). I just want to be able to find structure and fish it!!! Myself I still think the better deal is the 997 when you think just fishing with it. After the download needed for the 997 to have down imaging it should be close to the same unit but still have a larger screen.Quote:
Originally Posted by luvin.fishin
That 1499 number is MSRP. I try to never pay that for anything! I don't know where you're looking but I find them in several places with Google for 1295. One place I'd recommend where you can get it at this price is jandhproducts.com It's where I go to. There are others, just gotta' look hard. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappieCrazed
Dunno 'bout bass pro shop but the other sites are saying next week for the new 998 and 898 units. I'm sure most of the merchants out there will be eager to dump their stock of 997 units when the new 998's become available. (Right now, you can pre-order a 998 system for 1727 from j&h.) The video out port that CP mentioned is just one adder. There are also other improvements (upgraded/faster micro processor, contour XD maps, gr50 gps, etc...etc...) but the one big thing is future expandability with the unit. The ONLY difference (besides price) in the 898 vs 998 is 1" of diagonal screen size.
I see I seee....... Im not an electronics gooroo so what does it mean to have a faster processor?
Bout the same as having a faster boat.;)Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappieCrazed
One area where I see the influence of processor speed is the time it takes to write a screen capture. Faster processor = shorter write time.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappieCrazed
Another area where processor speed may be a factor is the refresh rate for the new 3D charts....but I have yet to see that in person.
And remember....this all applies to the current software version. As the software gets more and more powerful, you can expect computing power to be connected strongly to that software.
The speed of the processor is trumped by the write speed of the memory.
Give a programmer more speed and more memory, and they can find something to waste it on. Reference donut.
We went to the moon and back with a 8meg processor and 256k memory.
Now, we cant find fish without 500meg processor and 20 gig memory.:eek::eek:
This is going to be a very good unit for the price.
I'd be worried about HB ignoring this unit when they come out with "upgrades soon". I'm in the school of thought with HB that if you don't buy the best unit they have, you either getting shorted now, or will be soon. They may have the best CS, and now they have a patent, but by buying the lowest common denominator, you are giving up something. Be it views, ability to scan the same areas at the same FT per view, you will be giving something up. If you are OK with that, and it's more of a spending decision, then go with it. Otherwise keep saving in the change jar until you can get a better unit. I went cheap with the 797SI and regretted it almost instantly. Doesn't matter what transducer you have, you have to limit your scans to 25ft to one side and even at that, the screen is so small that you may miss out on a lot.
Like going from Dial-up to DSL!
Can you get the three view split on the 898??Quote:
Originally Posted by Joby @ Humminbird
I would be concern about getting updates for the 898 too. I mean we just released updates for the Matrix 12, Matrix 47 3D, Matrix 97, 981c Si and 987c Si units which were produced back in 2004 and 2005… Humminbird has always tried to support free software updates for the units they have produced for as long as they can. Hardware limitations will not always allow for an older unit to have all the new “goodies” that the most current software update includes.
I have not seen an 898c Si unit yet but I would guess that the three way view split would be available on it as it already is on the much older 987 units.
Hey Greg,
Donut still free?:)
You mean the one that shows that the boat is not moving CP?
Yes, its still free.
I've made some suggestions on being able to show the boat heading while sitting still but don't know if they will do anything about it or not.
Ok..Thanks..Quote:
Originally Posted by Humminbird_Greg
It is confusing for us old folks.
Thank You Greg!Quote:
Originally Posted by Humminbird_Greg
I think the 7" screen size of the 898 would be the biggest thing in that a person could see more detail in the side imaging. I have seen the 798 w/ a 5" screen and while it is nice, the 7" would be much better. As well as the pixel size. I am in the same boat trying to decide which finder would be good for me for many years to come based on initial cost, features, support, etc. I appreciate the differenct opinions and thoughts from those that have this unit.
[QUOTE=Cane Pole;1004193]Buy it. If you don't like it, ill trade you my 997 for it. I just want the video out.
If HB would do a mainboard upgrade for my 997, I would almost kiss their tail feathers.
They could offer this if they wanted to.
I have use a for the video out.[/QUOTE]
I'm curious as to what you have cookin in your brain for this idea CP...??
I have an old Garmin 10 inch big screen gps that is composite video capable. It also has a remote control (clicker) that I can change pages and set the unit up remotely. Just like changing tv channels. Fun to play with. I could use it as a remote SI. I can also do this with my tablet pc. Just peeing up a rope I guess.:)
I can run live underwater camera with split screen SI using the Garmin. These things are possible. Actually, they are factual.
Something to do in the heat of the summer when Brenda wants to clean the yard and I gotta work on a broke boat dealie.:)
Ya know, Most of the time your posts go right over my head and now I know why............ With things like that in your mellon you must just be one smart cookie. ;) I just want to find some structure with some fish on it........ Catch fishy.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
Occasionally I will catch a fish or two.:)
And such is the "meaning of life".....Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole