Thinking about dumping my 797 SI and going with a Lowrance HD model. Any thoughts on these New Lowrance models and there GPS functions
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Thinking about dumping my 797 SI and going with a Lowrance HD model. Any thoughts on these New Lowrance models and there GPS functions
Doc :
You may want to go to Cabelas web site and read the reviews on the HDS models form Lowrance. Sounds like they have a few bugs to work out. The way companies push their products from research to market leaves a lot to be desired.
Personally I rarely buy something its first year of production. I figure let some body else find out if its worth it or not. Most stuff falls way short of its marketing hype. For example I am still extemely happy that I never " upgraded " to Windows Vista.
I wish I had a Lowrance HDS, I`d trade you in a heartbeat.
The HDS looks nice but Lowrances` few bugs to endlessly work out gets old when you want to fish.
I had the X510c freezing issue so I`m pretty sour on Lowrance.
Stick with your Bird, thank me later.
I noticed lots of complaints on the HDS units on the Hull Truth forums.
If you don't like your HB unit, I can't imagine you are going to like the lowrance any better. I think the 797Si and 788C are the best units I've ever owned and I would only trade them for a 997.
I was wondering if you have updated your machine with the latest update. You must return your unit to default setting then install thew newest update. Your gps targets will be smaller.This is especially important if you have several targets close together.. I have the same unit as you and have for 2 years now. I think you,ll like the new sonar look also with the new update. I think the closer you get to your gps marks if you,ll use the plus key to enlarge your screen and keep a steady pace to it you,ll find that you can get mighty close to your desired spot. I fought it at first like everybody else , but now I,m close enough. The only thing I would do different is buy the 1197. And remember we have side imaging with the capabilities of taking snapshots of that hidden treasure . regards lane
Yes I updated to the new software. I even have the HDSI big slab transducer on the unit. I loose bottom lock at 15 mph on up. Max speed is only 28. I 'm still not real happy with the SI never have been and I've had it for going on 2 years. The only thing I really like about it are the inland lake maps on the gps so I don't run a ground. I here people talking about going into a cove and scanning it to see if there fish there. HA !!! With the small screen and the less pixels it is hard to see anything let alone fish. Just never thought it was worth that 1000 bucks I paid for it I would love to have the 997 or up but who can afford 2000 on a fish finder. I try and try to like this thing and try different settings and speed.Just can't get a real sharp picture. I also seldom see fish being marked on the screen also. Just don't know what to do if anything
stick with it you will learn to love it .i use a garmin etrax to get me back on a brush pile and i truley love my 997 .if you go hd stand in line there to because they are a long way from working there bugs out?that is just my 2 cents
laserdoc,
Yes the 797c screen is a little small, but if you get familiar with what you are seeing you will start to see the cover and fish clearly.
I am amazed every day with he detail these units provide. I use mine mainly for diving but also do a little fishing. I have converted untold Lowrance diehards when they see the images I can get when looking for structure or schools of fish.
With the smaller screen you will need to keep the SI Range lower. Its kind of like a zoom feature, the wider the range the smaller the targets look. The shorter the range the larger the targets will appear.
Where I can use the 997 at 100', you will need to cut yours down to 50-75'. A good rule of thumb is set the SI Range to 2 to 3 times your depth. If you are fairly shallow, maybe 4 times the depth, but again, your targets will appear smaller.
If you are trying to spot individual sm to med fish, this is going to be the only way. Otherwise you will probably only be able to larger fish or schools and bait balls.
Good Luck,
RGecy
As a Lowrance man, I'd say to weigh the situation. My dealer was cryin' to me the other day about having to wait 45 minutes EACH CALL for assistance. I knew that individuals had to do that sometimes, but the dealer says it is a sure thing EACH time they call 'em.
If I had one of the SI units, I would just pour over the book and do all I could to acquaint myself with the machine. I know that Lowrance has tutorials online and I'd bet HB does, as well. If you don't have dial-up (like me) that would be the way to get to know your unit. Someday, if I ever win the lottery, maybe I'll get me one of those HB SI units.
aj
I got an HD this year and love it. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Worth the price. I haven't had any bugs or trouble.Knock on wood. Much easier to operate than my old lms 480. Yes, it has put more fish in the boat because it's easy to read and interpret(spelling?) and I can trust it. The GPS is better and easier to use than anything I have ever seen. Very Happy with it.
You might want to use just left or right side and you might want to post some pics and let the pros look at them on the unofficial hb site they helped me a lot, there is a number of things to adjust sensitivty, scroll speed, transducer may need adjusting. once you get it right you cant go to the lake without it.
I understand where you're coming from Laserdoc, I didn't give but half price
for mine (used) and sometimes I still wonder if it was worth even that much...
Best advice I've read in this thread so far was about keeping the range set
lower - I got quite a bit happier with mine after I started keeping it on no
more than 75', sometimes less.
And ya'll can laugh at me ifn you want, but sometimes if I'm really wantin
to look at something good, I'll take it off the Ram mount and hold it right
up to my nose :D left the cables with a lot of slack in them so I can hold
it in my lap and tilt it around or hold it up close. Bimini top up helps too
when it's sunny. On a side note, I got to spend a few hours lookin at
a friends brand new 997 this weekend, and was a little disappointed that
it didn't really seem much easier to see in the sun. Washed out same as
my old 797.
First off, I love tech stuff. Second, I owned a 997 which I sold when I was selling my boat. I really love the 997, more so then the boat! :)
Since I am in need of a new one, I decided to try the HDS-8. I have been enjoying it for the last few weeks. For some reason, I purchased both the 997 and now the HDS-8 in the first year they were released. Both had various issues. The 997 turned out to be a stellar tool. I have the same faith that the HDS units will do the same.
Guess all I can do is try,try and try againQuote:
Originally Posted by RGecy
All I can say is I love my 797. I did upgrade to the bigger puck and love it 3 times more. The only thing I would trade it for would be the bigger screened ones.
Ok played some more with it. I tilted the transducer down some and now I do not loose bottom lock when I'm doing full speed which is 30 mph. This makes me happy:)
As far as the SI are you saying if I'm in say 20 feet of water my range should be set to 50 to 75 foot. And if I'm in 10 foot set it to 20 to 40 feet? I did notice today if I was in 7 to 10 foot of water if I ran the distance down to say 2 or 10 feet ,I would only get a black screen??
What is a good baseline for the new SI enhance modes??
sensitivity,contrast,etc...
I run my 997 sens 10, cont 10, sharp off. did you try using just left or right side.
Check this site out
http://www.xumba.scholleco.com/index.php
yes I tryed using one side at a time. Still hard to make something outQuote:
Originally Posted by d.mccarty