Opinions needed for a new electronics set up

Looking for a new set up and I have read a ton of stuff on here but want your honest opinions. Pretty sure I’m going with Humminbird.

Do I Need gps on the bow? I really just use it to find stuff, depth and fish on top of structure. I don’t spider rig or troll. I don’t mind throwing a buoy to hold my spot.

Color on the bow unit, is it worth it?

To DI or not to DI on the bow, that is the question?

Looking at SI for the dash so the question and the answer is most likely yes – is the bigger screen on the 800 series worth the extra 4 or 500 bucks over the 700?

I’m looking for functionality here and trying not to get fancy.

All the newer si units have an internal gps antenna?

I may replace the bow unit first and keep considering the si and if I need it but definitely want a good gps on the dash. Any thoughts?

Any insight will be helpful before I pull the trigger. THANKS!

GPS on the bow would be nice, but as you say you could use bouy markers. Color on the console......once you use a color unit you wont ever go back.;) Would be like buying a black and white TV set again after watching color.:rolleyes::D

I just bought a 596 c DI from Cabelas for the bow. Im a club member so I got $30.00 off the top. then had a coupon for $100.00 off a $500.00 purchase. Not a bad unit for around 400 bucks.

Here's a scenario....

Find a brushpile while at the console using SI....
Throw out marker buoy...
Move to TM to fish brushpile....
Catch several fish...yay...great area...
Recognize from memory there is another brushpile 50 yards away...somewhere but not sure where...
No SI on the bow....crud...
Have to go back to console SI just to move 50 yards....

I understand the limitations of limited funds but SI (or at least GPS) on the bow is an invaluable tool...

Rickie

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Originally Posted by keeferfish

Looking for a new set up and I have read a ton of stuff on here but want your honest opinions. Pretty sure I’m going with Humminbird.

Do I Need gps on the bow? I really just use it to find stuff, depth and fish on top of structure. I don’t spider rig or troll. I don’t mind throwing a buoy to hold my spot.

Color on the bow unit, is it worth it?

To DI or not to DI on the bow, that is the question?

Looking at SI for the dash so the question and the answer is most likely yes – is the bigger screen on the 800 series worth the extra 4 or 500 bucks over the 700?

I’m looking for functionality here and trying not to get fancy.

All the newer si units have an internal gps antenna?

I may replace the bow unit first and keep considering the si and if I need it but definitely want a good gps on the dash. Any thoughts?

Any insight will be helpful before I pull the trigger. THANKS!

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I've pretty much done what your doing and waiting for my new boat to arrive.I'm going with 2-898's at bow and console.if I were to change my mind it would only be to change the bow sonar to a 798.too many features and options that can be used between the 2 units especially if you get the ethernet connection!!after fishing with friends who have both the bigger screens to me are a no brainer!! once you been around them it's hard to go back to something smaller! if anything I'd definitly have GPS at both locations!tough call.good luck!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CRAPPOLI

I just bought a 596 c DI from Cabelas for the bow. Im a club member so I got $30.00 off the top. then had a coupon for $100.00 off a $500.00 purchase. Not a bad unit for around 400 bucks.

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Thinking the same thing for the bow.
Heck I think the gps only adds a hundred bucks (What's a hundred bucks between friends???Doh) so I should have it on the bow like most stated. I can share waypoints and have them on both units. And I think the bigger screen is a must for the SI, RIGHT?

I still can't see the need for si upfront (for me):confused:, I'll never get any fishing done!

SI on console and DI up front, does it get any better???Thumbs Up

I like having a dedicated SI up front and on the console. So for me, yes, SI and SI would be better option.

+ 95% of the fishing day is spent at the TM.....

I want my best unit where I spend most of my fishing day....IMO

Rickie

I have HDS 5 up front and HB 997 in back. Love that combination

keeferfish,
If you want to share waypoints from your bow unit than you will need to get a 700 series (or larger) unit to do so. That would mean the 788ci HD DI unit for the bow.

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Originally Posted by Humminbird_Greg

keeferfish,
If you want to share waypoints from your bow unit than you will need to get a 700 series (or larger) unit to do so. That would mean the 788ci HD DI unit for the bow.

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To share on the water right? I could still down load to a pc or an sd (I don't have to key in all the coord.) and then load in another unit right.

Right keeferfish, only while on the water. If you want to share waypoints via SD memory card than any Humminbird model will do. If the unit does not have a memory card slot it can still be done through the HumminbirdPC software and the PC Connect Kit.