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Author Topic:   Humminbird SONAR and GPS: User Impressions

PeteB88 posted 10-05-2007 09:24 AM ET (US)
We are hearing great things about newer Humminbird fish and GPS combos and are considering one instead of Lowrance or Garmin. Can any of you share your experiences, impressions, and reviews?
Thanks
an86carrera posted 10-05-2007 09:48 AM ET (US)
Pete,
I purchased a Matrix 97 3 years ago and it has operated flawlessly since then.
Good luck
Len
Jim Young posted 10-05-2007 11:27 AM ET (US)
Pete,
I have a Lorwance LCX25C and although it has worked fine for me their customer service, if you should ever need it, stinks and I have promised them I would do my best to convey this to everyone I can. The guys on this forum have been more helpful and knoweledgeable than the factory guys.
Good luck with which ever you choose.
Jim
fisher801 posted 10-05-2007 01:02 PM ET (US)
Hi Pete,
I have a 2006 Humminbird 787c2 sounder and it has performed nicely on my 17' Montauk. It is a color unit w. GPS The nice thing about it is that it has built in chartplotting/mapping GPS, which gives out good detail. I also bought a Navionics chip which gives even greater GPS mapping detail. It is very user-friendly.
You can even get this unit with a built-in GPS antenna (787c2i), which will eliminate the need for an external antenna, which is what I have to use on mine. Try one out they are good sounders. If you don't want to spend the $ on a color unit get the 737c2. It is $150-200 less than what I paid for the 787c2.
Good luck
Allan
bluewaterpirate posted 10-05-2007 02:15 PM ET (US)
Humminbird will release a 10.4 display in January 2008 ... one model will have side imaging capability and the other will not have the capabiltiy.
Also in 2008, look for additional marine electronics vendors to add side looking sonar units to their lineups.
Tom
Henry posted 10-05-2007 11:32 PM ET (US)
fisher801:
Thanks for your post. You now have me considering the purchase of a 787c2i. I have a few questions about it. Does the built in map/chart provide depth contours? does the unit allow you to create or save a waypoint by moving the cursor to a spot on the chart and then saving it? how is the visibility of the screen in the sunlight? Does sounder or depth finder ever lose the depth reading while you are running at cruising speed? Thanks.
JayR posted 10-06-2007 07:35 AM ET (US)
I've been drooling over the side scan units (797 & 997).
I guess I'll be waiting for the new year to make the purchase.
Sure wish they were NMEA 2000 compatible.
PeteB88 posted 10-08-2007 12:42 AM ET (US)
fisher801 - the 787 is exactly the one I have been looking at, fishin pals have 900 series wide screen on large charter boat mounted aft w/ side scan. They love it and the boat is rigged w/ all Raymarine stuff. I understand since Johnson products took them over things are really flying. I think I made my decision. That 787 is a real nice unit from what I can see comparing on big displays at Bass Pro and Cabella's. Thanks!!
srec1 posted 10-08-2007 08:43 PM ET (US)
I bought a 997c in august for my 19 outrage and could not be happier. The side scan ability will cut your fuel costs because you will be going slow to look at the bottom all the time. This unit must be seen to be believed
Aquia Revenge posted 10-09-2007 12:55 PM ET (US)
I have been following this post with great interest because I am currently looking to purchase a Humminbird 7 series or the Matrix 97. Does anyone know where I might find the best price on one of these units or does anyone know if there is someone that sells one year old models?
fisher801 posted 10-10-2007 01:57 PM ET (US)
To Henry & Pete,
The built-in mapping does not include depth contours of the bottom, but if you plug in the "Silver" grade Navionics chip($99), you will get depth contours as well as detailed info on specific waypoints when you hit the "info" button on the display unit. I highly recommend getting the Navionics navigation chip.
As for the cursor scrolling to waypoint, yes it is simply a cursoring to any waypoint and hit the "goto" button and the unit will automatically run a straight line to your chosen destination. Distance to Go(DTG)is automatically calculated as soon as you punch in a coordinate. I'm so pleased with this unit that I have great confidence in navigating even in foggy, low-visibility conditions. I've used it on many occasions to get back to port when all I had was less than 1/2 mile visibility. Of course, radar would be even better in navigating those conditions.
When under speed the display occasionally loses a solid reading of the bottom. Otherwise, it is somewhat normal for this to happen since the inherent hull shape of whalers cause much turbulence in the way of cavitation beneath the boat. Just go slower say 18-22mph and you should generally be able to maintain a depth reading.
FYI I have already logged 225+ hours on my less than year old unit without any serious gliches. It is very easy to use,reliable and gives great readings on the display even in direct sunlight.
Note: if you run the unit at full light display (say b/w 8-10), there will be a lot a amps drawn resulting in a lower voltage reading. I ususally set mine at 4-5 to conserve battery power and still receive a decent lit display. During low light hours, the display is quite bright. Even a dim setting of 3-4 is sufficient to see quite clearly.
Good luck
Henry posted 10-10-2007 09:37 PM ET (US)
fisher801:
Thanks for your answers to my questions. that is what I wanted to know.
PeteB88 posted 10-17-2007 03:01 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the response to this question - they seem real nice - might get one end of season and look at the box all winter.
JayR posted 10-17-2007 06:42 AM ET (US)
I'm holding out for the 997 CI.
These images are incredible!
http://www.sideimaging.com/
It's like cheating....

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Author	Topic: Humminbird SONAR and GPS: User Impressions
PeteB88	posted 10-05-2007 09:24 AM ET (US) We are hearing great things about newer Humminbird fish and GPS combos and are considering one instead of Lowrance or Garmin. Can any of you share your experiences, impressions, and reviews? Thanks
an86carrera	posted 10-05-2007 09:48 AM ET (US) Pete, I purchased a Matrix 97 3 years ago and it has operated flawlessly since then. Good luck Len
Jim Young	posted 10-05-2007 11:27 AM ET (US) Pete, I have a Lorwance LCX25C and although it has worked fine for me their customer service, if you should ever need it, stinks and I have promised them I would do my best to convey this to everyone I can. The guys on this forum have been more helpful and knoweledgeable than the factory guys. Good luck with which ever you choose. Jim
fisher801	posted 10-05-2007 01:02 PM ET (US) Hi Pete, I have a 2006 Humminbird 787c2 sounder and it has performed nicely on my 17' Montauk. It is a color unit w. GPS The nice thing about it is that it has built in chartplotting/mapping GPS, which gives out good detail. I also bought a Navionics chip which gives even greater GPS mapping detail. It is very user-friendly. You can even get this unit with a built-in GPS antenna (787c2i), which will eliminate the need for an external antenna, which is what I have to use on mine. Try one out they are good sounders. If you don't want to spend the $ on a color unit get the 737c2. It is $150-200 less than what I paid for the 787c2. Good luck Allan
bluewaterpirate	posted 10-05-2007 02:15 PM ET (US) Humminbird will release a 10.4 display in January 2008 ... one model will have side imaging capability and the other will not have the capabiltiy. Also in 2008, look for additional marine electronics vendors to add side looking sonar units to their lineups. Tom
Henry	posted 10-05-2007 11:32 PM ET (US) fisher801: Thanks for your post. You now have me considering the purchase of a 787c2i. I have a few questions about it. Does the built in map/chart provide depth contours? does the unit allow you to create or save a waypoint by moving the cursor to a spot on the chart and then saving it? how is the visibility of the screen in the sunlight? Does sounder or depth finder ever lose the depth reading while you are running at cruising speed? Thanks.
JayR	posted 10-06-2007 07:35 AM ET (US) I've been drooling over the side scan units (797 & 997). I guess I'll be waiting for the new year to make the purchase. Sure wish they were NMEA 2000 compatible.
PeteB88	posted 10-08-2007 12:42 AM ET (US) fisher801 - the 787 is exactly the one I have been looking at, fishin pals have 900 series wide screen on large charter boat mounted aft w/ side scan. They love it and the boat is rigged w/ all Raymarine stuff. I understand since Johnson products took them over things are really flying. I think I made my decision. That 787 is a real nice unit from what I can see comparing on big displays at Bass Pro and Cabella's. Thanks!!
srec1	posted 10-08-2007 08:43 PM ET (US) I bought a 997c in august for my 19 outrage and could not be happier. The side scan ability will cut your fuel costs because you will be going slow to look at the bottom all the time. This unit must be seen to be believed
Aquia Revenge	posted 10-09-2007 12:55 PM ET (US) I have been following this post with great interest because I am currently looking to purchase a Humminbird 7 series or the Matrix 97. Does anyone know where I might find the best price on one of these units or does anyone know if there is someone that sells one year old models?
fisher801	posted 10-10-2007 01:57 PM ET (US) To Henry & Pete, The built-in mapping does not include depth contours of the bottom, but if you plug in the "Silver" grade Navionics chip($99), you will get depth contours as well as detailed info on specific waypoints when you hit the "info" button on the display unit. I highly recommend getting the Navionics navigation chip. As for the cursor scrolling to waypoint, yes it is simply a cursoring to any waypoint and hit the "goto" button and the unit will automatically run a straight line to your chosen destination. Distance to Go(DTG)is automatically calculated as soon as you punch in a coordinate. I'm so pleased with this unit that I have great confidence in navigating even in foggy, low-visibility conditions. I've used it on many occasions to get back to port when all I had was less than 1/2 mile visibility. Of course, radar would be even better in navigating those conditions. When under speed the display occasionally loses a solid reading of the bottom. Otherwise, it is somewhat normal for this to happen since the inherent hull shape of whalers cause much turbulence in the way of cavitation beneath the boat. Just go slower say 18-22mph and you should generally be able to maintain a depth reading. FYI I have already logged 225+ hours on my less than year old unit without any serious gliches. It is very easy to use,reliable and gives great readings on the display even in direct sunlight. Note: if you run the unit at full light display (say b/w 8-10), there will be a lot a amps drawn resulting in a lower voltage reading. I ususally set mine at 4-5 to conserve battery power and still receive a decent lit display. During low light hours, the display is quite bright. Even a dim setting of 3-4 is sufficient to see quite clearly. Good luck
Henry	posted 10-10-2007 09:37 PM ET (US) fisher801: Thanks for your answers to my questions. that is what I wanted to know.
PeteB88	posted 10-17-2007 03:01 AM ET (US) Thanks for the response to this question - they seem real nice - might get one end of season and look at the box all winter.
JayR	posted 10-17-2007 06:42 AM ET (US) I'm holding out for the 997 CI. These images are incredible! http://www.sideimaging.com/ It's like cheating....