HB 998 side imaging issues

I am wondering if I could get some help and opinions on getting my side imaging dialed in on my 998. I can never get images to really show up on my side imaging unless I drive over the top of it. My settings are as follows using the 7.670 software:

range: 60 feet both sides
contrast: 11
sharpness: low
contour mode: off
sensitvity: depends but usually max
chart speed :4
hrtz: 455

here is a pic of the transducer and I don't believe that the trim tab is affecting anything because I had the same problem before I installed them. I also mounted the transducer at a slight angle to offset the boat leaning towards the right when I'm driving at a slow speed because of weight. Any opinions would be much appreciated

I read on a recent post that Rickie said there is a gremlin in the units that when sharpness is on it affects side scan images. After that, I always keep sharpness off on my Helix 7 SI. I'm sure Rickie will chime in.:dono

First off your sensitivity is way to high at that range every thing is probably all washed out. My sensitivity usually runs 10-15 your chart speed most people like to match the boat speed for the prettiest pictures but I run my chart speed faster. I never look for structure only fish at higher chart speeds it will elongate the fish and there shadow if suspended making them easier to pick put. Hard to really tell with some pictures of your screen.

Army man, I will try turning it off next time I'm on the water. Bricks, I keep the sensitivity turned up because the image will be dark if I don't due to the soft bottom lakes I fish

A screen shot would help the experts on this site diagnose your problem, but I ain't one of 'em! It might help someone with the same problem and me too! Good luck.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk

Anything to the side of the xducer is going to block some of the sound pulse ...and those trim tabs are suspect for blocking a lot of the sound pulse ...

You can test this by removing the xducer and stick it way down in the water under the trim tabs ...

If the image brightens up - the trim tabs are blocking the SI ...

Also ....testing another unit on your xducer would narrow down issues to the xducer or the xducer install ...
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SI Sharpness is known to cause Gremlins in some models with certain software versions ... FWIW = Sharpness is best used only for making fish echoes stand out against the darker background ... And then turn it off all other times ...

Rickie

Rickie. I have had the same problem when I ran my 798 on the boat with the same transducer...on the tabs, I did some experiments when I was debating on installing the and I noticed the sonar never picked up anything unless it went under the transducer..... anything along the sides never showed up until u went directly under it then It would show up. Used my hand and a 2x4 on that experiment. It's been kind of frustrating

I will say that when I cruise under a bridge I can see the beams and it picks up rocks on a sea wall pretty well.......for whatever that is worth

Are the trim tabs easily removed so you could get some before and after screenshots and post them here ...??

Rickie

I'm not sure Ricky. I can look later but it won't be until the weekend before I can out. Does it hurt anything to have the transducer mounted lower on the transom?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bowhunter1

I'm not sure Ricky. I can look later but it won't be until the weekend before I can out. Does it hurt anything to have the transducer mounted lower on the transom?

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The only disadvantage to mounting the the xducer below the hull is possible damage from hitting something in the water ...

Rickie