humminbird 798 hd si

[MJ]

I just ordered a 798ci si from academy sports online. I am in the process of installing everything now. The unit was $749.99 with no tax and free shipping. It doesn't say HD like the new ones but there is no difference between the 2 except for a different port on the back of the unit. The power cord is 6 feet long so I bought some extra wire to give me enough length t0 reach the battery. Walmart has 4gig sd cards for $10. I probably have about $770.00 in the whole unit. The only other thing you might get is the sd card navionics. It would be nice to have for bigger lakes like kentucky lake or guntersvile but the lakes around here I pretty familiar with. The unit on academy sports was the cheapest I had found anywhere and I looked for a while. One of the other bass forums has a board dedicated to selling electronics and most people wanted at least 650 or more for the same unit used. I felt for an extra hundred it wasn't a bad deal to get one brand new and with a warranty.

[rcr_1983]

http://www.universalmania.com/produc...pf_id=407970-1

That is where I purchased mine from. Comes with everything you need to hook it up. Extremely fast shipping. I was told if I wanted on plane depth reading I would need some additional equipment, but mounted correctly mine works fine. I however did purchase a seperate ducer, mount and power cable and mount one at the dash and one up front. This way I can switch the head unit back and forth. This will do until I can get another head unit. I've got some good install pics if you have any questions let me know, I'll try and help.

Chris

[SoKYFishin]

I just ordered a 798ci si from academy sports online. I am in the process of installing everything now. The unit was $749.99 with no tax and free shipping. It doesn't say HD like the new ones but there is no difference between the 2 except for a different port on the back of the unit. The power cord is 6 feet long so I bought some extra wire to give me enough length t0 reach the battery. Walmart has 4gig sd cards for $10. I probably have about $770.00 in the whole unit. The only other thing you might get is the sd card navionics. It would be nice to have for bigger lakes like kentucky lake or guntersvile but the lakes around here I pretty familiar with. The unit on academy sports was the cheapest I had found anywhere and I looked for a while. One of the other bass forums has a board dedicated to selling electronics and most people wanted at least 650 or more for the same unit used. I felt for an extra hundred it wasn't a bad deal to get one brand new and with a warranty.

How in the world did you get the side imaging unit for only 750$?!?!

[SoKYFishin]

Nevermind, I just looked it up and all I can say is WOW what a price.

[SoKYFishin]

How long has this sale price been listed for that unit? And does anyone know how long this sale will last? Also, after Christmas does anyone think these units will be on sale? At like Tackle warehouse, etc.

[09Z7SC]

How in the world did you get the side imaging unit for only 750$?!?!

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.

[GeoFisher]

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.

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

[09Z7SC]

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

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.

[GeoFisher]

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.

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

Later,

Geo

[GeoFisher]

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

[Fishin is life]

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?

[Olgrey]

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.