humminbird 798 hd si

[QUOTE=09Z7SC;472828]That is last years model. There is a difference between the 798 C Si and the 798 HD SI. Do the homework, I am not sure what it is, but I think it has to do with the screen.[/QUOTE]

Biggest change is the Contour HD maps included with this years model is not with last years. The Contour HD maps are ok but don't cover nearly enough lakes around here. No KY, no Barkley. They did cover Dale, but they are very, very poor, compared to the Hotmaps.

I don't think you will miss the Contour HD with that unit, especially if you get a map chip. Also, I was told to not waste my money on the Gold chipset. The 700 series is not fast enough to use most of the features added in gold. Premium is just fine.

Later,

Geo

[QUOTE=GeoFisher;472834]Biggest change is the Contour HD maps included with this years model is not with last years. The Contour HD maps are ok but don't cover nearly enough lakes around here. No KY, no Barkley. They did cover Dale, but they are very, very poor, compared to the Hotmaps.

I don't think you will miss the Contour HD with that unit, especially if you get a map chip. Also, I was told to not waste my money on the Gold chipset. The 700 series is not fast enough to use most of the features added in gold. Premium is just fine.

Later,

Geo[/QUOTE]

I am not 100% but I do not think there is a Gold. There is Hotmaps, Hotmaps Premium, and Hotmaps Platinum. The 700 series only supports the regular Hotmaps and the Premium. I have the Premium on my 798 and it has the HD map of Nolin, it is pretty awesome. The Contour HD only shows the really big lakes I think. I would not venture out on any of the lakes that draw down in Kentucky without the chip. There are too many spots where you could get in trouble when the water goes down.

[QUOTE=09Z7SC;472870]I am not 100% but I do not think there is a Gold. There is Hotmaps, Hotmaps Premium, and Hotmaps Platinum. The 700 series only supports the regular Hotmaps and the Premium. I have the Premium on my 798 and it has the HD map of Nolin, it is pretty awesome. The Contour HD only shows the really big lakes I think. I would not venture out on any of the lakes that draw down in Kentucky without the chip. There are too many spots where you could get in trouble when the water goes down.[/QUOTE]

I bet your right..........platinum and not gold.............

Later,

Geo

Actually gold does exist, but it is a different beast................Platinum is what I was talkin about, and it is overkill for 700 series.

Later,

Geo

I've always had Lowrance but have been seriously considering switching to Bird units and getting the SI.....My question is that I've talked to a lot of guys that have the 7 series Bird's and say they are too small for the side imaging and they wound up selling their 7's and upgrading to a 9 series...Would I be better off to go ahead and buy a 7 series or save up for awhile and get a 9?

I believe that Gander Mountain has one in the black Friday sale for $799. I don't guarantee that but I think that was the price. It has been a few days since I looked at it. Personally I prefer to buy local if possible.

[QUOTE=Fishin is life;472919]I've always had Lowrance but have been seriously considering switching to Bird units and getting the SI.....My question is that I've talked to a lot of guys that have the 7 series Bird's and say they are too small for the side imaging and they wound up selling their 7's and upgrading to a 9 series...Would I be better off to go ahead and buy a 7 series or save up for awhile and get a 9?[/QUOTE]

To be honest, I almost wish I had just waited and got the 8 or 9 series. The thing is, it is not that the screen is too small for doing one thing, like down imaging or side imaging. It is when you have down and side going at the same time, or even side imaging and GPS. It is then that you wish the screen was bigger. Next year I will probably move the 798 up front, and get a 8 or 9 series for the console (with a ram mount for easy removal).

So my question is, the unit that is 750$, last year's model. Is it worth the price tag? Or is it worth spending the extra 300$ for the newer model? Appreciate all advice.

I did some research on other forums and I was told by some humminbird people that the only difference is this years model has HD in the name. Screen resolution is still the same. Also, the new model has an ethernet port on the back. I have read this on multiple sites and that's why I went with the one from academy. I just finished installing everything and updating the software. Going to go try it out tomorrow afternoon. There are a lot of settings to mess with so I want to try and learn how to operate it. I will let you know how it goes.

I bought one 2 years ago at gander mtn on sale for 675. Bought a navionics card. It did not come with the Down imaging feature. HB service said all I needed was an SD card and SD card reader to download updates and the DI to my unit. The 798 has HD in the unit not in the transducer. A bigger screen would be nice. I was ready to purchase an HDS-5 but couldn't pass up that deal. I bought it in BG 2-3 weeks before Christmas.
I love it.

I got out today to try out my unit and see how my setup worked. It was awesome. Didn't get to fish due to the horrible wind but just looking and side scan was great. Makes you wonder how we ever lived without it!