HB999 Ducer Settings?

[tcounty]

Which setting do y'all use? On 800 it's definitely more detailed but it's also very bright and can't always see the fish. 400 isn't as detailed but fish show up better. Also do you have it set at 83 , 200, or 83/200? Trying to get it dialed in.

What sd card should I use?

Not getting much out of 2D and DI. 2D will show structure that DI doesn't unless I have DI sensitivity on 20, but then the screen is cluttered with junk also. I may not understand what I'm seeing but I don't know.

[LowePro]

What I do:

SIDE IMAGE:
Use 400khz with side imaging because it allows you to scan a much wider path (even though images are not s good you can see brushpiles, fish, etc).
Once You have located something you want to get a better look at switch it over to 800khz and get a much better image of what ever your trying to look at.

DOWN IMAGE:
The down image on humminbird 999 is comprised of 2 over lapping weaker returns. This means your images will not be as great as a true dedicated down image transducer will give you (59 series. They have different transducers).
If you having to set ur sensitivity that high, try increasing your "contrast" and that will allow you to decrease your sensitivity and should paint a lil better image. Just know the down image on humminbird graph will not be "as" good of an image as a true down image graph will give you.
Down image has a much narrower cone than the 2D so realistically, especially in shallower water, You will not rely on HD down image as much as 2D anyways. I have some good shots with HD down image but I personally use the 2D more because of the wider cone angle.

2D:
Max mode= unfiltered data. I almost always use max mode and just turn my sensitivity down to where the image clears up.
83khz= less frequency. Wider cone angle, wont shoot as deep. Shows alot, but not much detail. Just mainly blobs saying something is there.
83/200khz= blended frequencies. Overlapping both a wide angle and narrow angle. Shoots deeper shows more detail but also an pick up stuff that is further away from the boat. Alot of people use this.
200khz= more frequency. Narrower cone angle. Shows more detail. I personally use this the most. Reason being.....Its more close to the boat, so I know I can fish straight down and lure should be in site of the fish Im trying to catch.

I think its really neat to set my unit to max mode 200khz, turn the chart speed all the way up, set sensitivity to where the screen starts clearing up. Now you can drop your bait down beneath your transducer and you can see a straight line shooting across the screen. This line is your bait. You can jig the bait and see the line on your screen go up and down. You can also see where a fish (will be another straight line) comes up to your line, SET THE HOOK YOU GOT HIM!!! How cool is that?!!!! Understand the bait will HAVE to be in the cone for it to show up.

These graphs are really neat and it seems like there is alot going on with them. But once you use it a bit you will see how easy the humminbirds are to navigate through and adjust to make images picture perfect! I feel like I couldn't catch one fish without it! Also another thing that is JUST as important as what your seeing under water.....what your seeing on top as well. Mapping is huge and I use it just as much.

[LowePro]

I hope I help and didn't confuse. My head hurts now! Hahaha

[tcounty]

Big help. Thanks. I'll set it up tonight and see what I get Saturday morning.

[rnvinc]

Use 455kHz for searching because the image is brighter all the way to the edges of the display ...

Use 800kHz for ciphering details of objects closer to the boat ...



Rickie

[BobB]

tcounty .... How old is your 999? Have you made sure it doesn't need the 800 khz fix?

[tcounty]

It's a month old. What's the current software version?

[BobB]

The 800 khz problem isn't a software problem, it is a problem with the unit hardware. There were some manufacturing dates going around on the forums, but there was some conflict in the information, and I never did know for sure what the real cut-off date was.

Your unit is probably OK since it is new.....but it is possible it has been in the "pipeline" for a while ...... best thing is to call Humminbird customer service with your unit serial # and see if it needs the fix or not......If it does, it has to be sent in to get fixed.....You can wait til winter to do that if you want....and sign up for Humminbird select to get the full 2 years warranty.

If your unit doesn't need the hardware fix, there can be a big difference in screen intensity when first switching to 800 khz .... Those who have the 99 series say to wait til the unit scrolls a complete screen and then adjust settings as necessary.