997 Csi Humminbird

[DeerHunter01]

Well me Uncle Pete wanted to see this place its called the fish hidding place. So I thought I would post a few pictures of the 997 in action.

[DeerHunter01]

Here is a few more from last night out on the river

[DeerHunter01]

Can you tell what it is ?

[DeerHunter01]

Here is some more

[DeerHunter01]

Here is a few more of them

[DeerHunter01]

This is the last ones honest !

[Catfish_Commando]

Eric,

What is the differences between the 987 and the 997?

Is the 997 the next generation with improved graphics engine or software?

[DeerHunter01]

well the 997 has 400 khz + you can go to 800khz and the 987 has 400 and something khz . and the image is alot clearer then what they had in the 987. and plus it has alot more features to it , and its loaded with all the software. It also has the barometric pressure on it too. Hey look at it this way Bryan can't get me lost on the river in fog any more either. LMAO

[Cheez]

OK DH what are the photos of because I really don't have a clue

Cheez

[DeerHunter01]

Paul:

Here is some with fish in them from the other night. notice the shadows of the fish they cast only if the fish is up higher in the water closer to the surface. The higher up the fish the longer or bigger the shadow.

Cheez:

It's an imploded dam on the Ohio river they blew up back in the early 50s

[DeerHunter01]

I forgot to post the pictures here they are:

The First Picture is two fish behind a log, as I blew up on the log you can see the fish tail to head sitting right behind the log waiting for my bait to go past with out snagging up.

The second picture is a group of fish behind the imploded dam. suspended

[trsteele]

That is an Awesome unit

[cubedweller]

If I drool any more I'm going to need a PFD. That is quite impressive.

[unclebill85]

Can someone loan me $1000.00 to buy one of these? I promise I will pay you back! :wink:

Thanks for sharing the photos

[ShilohRed]

Can someone loan me $1000.00 to buy one of these? I promise I will pay you back! :wink:

Thanks for sharing the photos

Sounds like you have the other $1000 then. good luck there worth it.
Pete

[mmarcum6]

I was guessing a Bridge or Dam based on the amount of rubble. Nice picks and thanks for sharing them.

[Grits]

What does the 997 run and where can you get the best price on one?

Thanks,

Grits

[DeerHunter01]

The 997 costs somewhere between 1900.00 and 2400.00 depending on what you get with it.

If I was going to spend that kind of money I would get it pre-loaded with everything, it would cost you around 2200.00 from cabelas

[Southerncats]

I got to get one of those units....Like yall have on the Catfishing America boat.....I fell in love with it.

[DeerHunter01]

Mike: I got a couple of pretty neat pictures here that I took with the unit here on the Ohio River.

**

Picture # 1- 55 Gallon Drum laying on the Bottom of the river.

Picture # 2- Boat ramp on the Ohio River you can see how far they got it going down into the water.

Picture # 3- These are gravel Bars that I like to fish but on this evening there was no fish holding on them, This is why I like the unit so well any other time I would of stayed there and fished for 2-3 hours saying I don't understand why there not bitting ?? LMAO

**

[Equinox]

Thanks for the pictures.

[gunther51]

Sorry to do that to your thread.............nice unit though!

[cumberlandcat]

I must be blind, how are you able to tell whats a fish and a blurry white mark on the screen I really want to buy one of these units but I am trying to learn all I can. The pics are quite neat but it there something I am missing?

[bwhupp]

You aren't the only one Bro.. I know el zippo about fish finders. I looked at that and thought he was showing something from his latest colonoscopy.

I am assuming the 'middle' line is the boat and it shoots off to the right and left side of the boat? Because ya... otherwise I am sticking with the doctor's visit.

[fishnfwl]

You would be correct BW, you can read and read but the best thing is just spending time with it on the water, and then read some more..LOL. of course tho BW, you can pick one up and I will let ya put it in my boat and show you haw it works.......... :wink: Just a bit to $$$ for me, gonna have to start collecting cans I guess :ooooh: unless momma buys me one for my B-Day! for know it's just the $500 model and the aqua view :wink:
R.

[cumberlandcat]

I did a little more reading on there main sight they have a lot of good shots on there, probably like 25 and they discribe what is in all of the photos, now I guess its up to T.O.W to figure the rest out.

[riverdasher]

This is the best info on Humminbird 797 from people with on the water experience. I've been interested in the 797 but here in Washington State most fishermen are high on Lowrance and I have not been able to find anyone on any NW forums with experience using Humminbird.

[cl15876]

The Side Imaging capability really has me excited from all the reading I've been doing, but cost is pretty high. Is it worth it?

[cl15876]

As awesome as the side imaging capability appears, why hasn't any other fish finder manufacturer incorporated it?

[cl15876]

I appreciate the commentary on the 997, especially from DH. Does anyone have any other links like consumer reports that have compared and contrasted various fish finders?

[cl15876]

I'm kind of new to all of this, but I've read where multiple transducers can be used and I'm wondering why someone would want to do that?

[cl15876]

I've also read on humminbird site about the use of more advanced transducers. Is the standard one that comes with unit not good enough or is there something I'm missing?

[cl15876]

I think I have this stated correctly, trying to put it all in perspective and understanding. I believe the 997 can do both dual and quad beam technology and I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on the utility of one over the other?

[cl15876]

Does the transducer that comes with the 997 do both or do you have to upgrade?

[cl15876]

I believe DH previously mentioned that the barometric readings that came with his 997 would preclude him from getting lost on the river. Does anyone know if the weather sensor actually comes with the unit or must be purchased separately?

[cl15876]

Anyone have any experience with the downrigger capabilities of the 997?

[cl15876]

Does anyone know if there any SD card will work with the 997 unit or does a specific one from humminbird have to be purchased. I believe I saw a 2GB at Target that works with cameras for about 30-40 bucks, but I wasn't sure if anyone had feedback on that. I couldn't find anything about this in the online manual from humminbird or on their FAQs.

[DeerHunter01]

The one they call like scan-disk does not work in them I think you can get them for 19.99 for two of them 1 gb in a pack if I am not mistaken, I had to take mine back cause them cheaper ones would not work but anything I have bought since then has worked fine out of it .. It was just the s-disk or scan-disk card its blue in color ..

[onlyriverfish]

Been using a 2-gig SanDisk "Ultra 2" red card in my 997 since last fall with no problems.

[DeerHunter01]

I bought the blue ones and they never worked, I called the company and they new what I was talking about right away, they told me that almost everyone that had bought them had called and said they had not worked, the the one your talking about might be there upgrade version of it, I am not sure about that, here is what would happen to mine, I would hit the button to save way point and take a photo of it and it would go real slow up to about 70% and stop and say error in the message in the middle of the screen.

When I went out and bought my other one that was not a San-disk it worked and would fly thur the uploading it to the card. it took like a split second to do it where the San-disk took forever to get to the 70% mark. But that's what Greg Walters told me when I called him about it. You can check with him at the company if you guys would like but all I know is they were having the problem with the blue card from that company.

[GaryF]

cl15876, That’s a lot of questions, I'll do my best...

“The Side Imaging capability really has me excited from all the reading I've been doing, but cost is pretty high. Is it worth it?”
Most folks who have purchased one would answer “Yes” to that question, but it’s a personal decision. They aren’t cheap.


“As awesome as the side imaging capability appears, why hasn't any other fish finder manufacturer incorporated it?”
It’s a pretty new technology that Hummingbird has figured out how to offer in a consumer level device. Other manufacturers will have to figure out how to do it without violating Hummingbirds patents, or possibly develop a licensing agreement with Hummingbird that will allow them to use Hummingbird’s technology.


“I appreciate the commentary on the 997, especially from DH. Does anyone have any other links like consumer reports that have compared and contrasted various fish finders?”
Doubtful that you will find much in the way of neutral reviews, but comparing the 3D capability of the SI units to the arches you see in a 2D unit is like comparing apples and oranges. The Hummingbird can do both, but nobody else can do the 3D.


“I'm kind of new to all of this, but I've read where multiple transducers can be used and I'm wondering why someone would want to do that?”
“I've also read on humminbird site about the use of more advanced transducers. Is the standard one that comes with unit not good enough or is there something I'm missing?”
The included transducer does it all, but a transducer is kind of an expendable item, subject to damage from debris or hitting bottom. The SI transducer costs $200, where the 2D costs about $60. The idea is to mount the SI transducer up high where it’s protected, with the tradeoff being that it won’t perform well at higher speeds, The cheaper 2D transducer is mounted down in the more dangerous zone , and a Y cable allows for signal splitting and sharing.


“I think I have this stated correctly, trying to put it all in perspective and understanding. I believe the 997 can do both dual and quad beam technology and I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on the utility of one over the other?”
“Does the transducer that comes with the 997 do both or do you have to upgrade?”
The 997 does both. Dual beam gives you a downward view / fish arches. 3D actually gives you an image of what you are looking at.

“I believe DH previously mentioned that the barometric readings that came with his 997 would preclude him from getting lost on the river. Does anyone know if the weather sensor actually comes with the unit or must be purchased separately?”
The GPS would be the way to keep from getting lost. The barometric pressure module might help predict the weather or the fish bite, but it’s a separate purchase item. I don’t think too many people buy this, but I could be wrong.


“Anyone have any experience with the downrigger capabilities of the 997?”
Not me, sorry.


“Does anyone know if there any SD card will work with the 997 unit or does a specific one from humminbird have to be purchased. I believe I saw a 2GB at Target that works with cameras for about 30-40 bucks, but I wasn't sure if anyone had feedback on that. I couldn't find anything about this in the online manual from humminbird or on their FAQs.”
I got by with an $8 Micro Center branded card. I would just be sure to buy from a vendor who allows a return if it doesn’t work.

[catfisherman_eky3]

Thanks for the pictures DH

[DeerHunter01]

“I believe DH previously mentioned that the barometric readings that came with his 997 would preclude him from getting lost on the river. Does anyone know if the weather sensor actually comes with the unit or must be purchased separately?”
The GPS would be the way to keep from getting lost. The barometric pressure module might help predict the weather or the fish bite, but it’s a separate purchase item. I don’t think too many people buy this, but I could be wrong.


Gary the Barometric readings don't help me from getting lost, did I say that somewhere..LMAO if I did I am sorry its the GPS unit that helps you out a lot in foggy weather, If you have ever been out on a river when a big fog comes in you will understand where I am coming from I hate it too, but this unit will help you get back to the boat ramp.

Gary the weather sensor does not come with the unit you have to buy it, and its about half and half that buy that weather sensor, I guess its in all what you believe the Barometric system does to your fishing, we all know that a drop in the pressure helps the fish feed, so that's why a lot of fishermen have that add on.

I hope I got this straightened out for ya, sorry if I confused you for the barometric sensor, but it wont help me get back, now it will help me stay out of the rain..LMAO

[GaryF]

DH

cl15876 was actually the one asking the question that I had quoted, I should have highlighted my answers to make it a little more clear. I was pretty sure you didn't navigate with the barometer, although that might explain some things, lol.

I've got a Hummingbird 797SI sitting here waiting for my boat to arrive. I've got a pretty good collection of electronics, rod holders, and anchors for a guy that doesn't have a boat.:ooooh:

[DeerHunter01]

Gary the only problem I see is why don't you have a boat, do you want me to send a hit man out that way to help you out some here, thats not right when you have all the stuff and no boat. Give me there number I will call them for ya buddy..:ooooh::crazy::smile2:

[GaryF]

do you want me to send a hit man out that way to help you out some here

DH, I appreciate the offer. Lowe did promise to send me one of these [Link only for Registered Members] to attach my new fishfinder to... I should probably give them a few more weeks to cough it up before we call out the goons. :wink:

[DeerHunter01]

Nice looking Boat Gary, I can see you on it now pulling them hogs in getting it all messy..LMAO

[CincyCat]

I just bought a new Humminbird 797 and will be mounting it to my 18' center console in the near future. Does anyone with experience with these units have and mounting info for me for the transducer and/or unit, beside what in the box.

Thanks for all the info already posted.....you did cause me to spend $860....thanks....LOL

[jerry9497]

dont mount it on your trolling motor.... you will want to look at more than your battery can take you and faster than motor will push you.

[Zalmaflash]

Does anyone have any experience with the downrigger capabilities of the 997?”
Not me, sorry. A question asked previously.


I have some experience with this.

In sidescan mode, you never see the downrigger ball because the sidescan happens straight down and to each side and the ball is actually behind you. You can see the ball when in the regular "fishfinding sonar" mode.

Sidescan ONLY works when the boat is moving and the image is only a 1/4" "picture" of where the transducer is NOW.

Does it work or help with "downrigger fishing"?

YES, on the second pass with the GPS and sidescan, you can manuver your boat/downrigger ball exactly where the fish are. Basically a "Find and go back and get" operation. I do not have the interconnect to automatically raise and lower my ball since my "riggers" are manual.

I love this thing!!!!!

[screamnclickersc]

My advice would be mount the transducer a little lower than the instructions say to keep from losing the bottom at high speeds.





I just bought a new Humminbird 797 and will be mounting it to my 18' center console in the near future. Does anyone with experience with these units have and mounting info for me for the transducer and/or unit, beside what in the box.

Thanks for all the info already posted.....you did cause me to spend $860....thanks....LOL