Been doing some research as I'm getting ready to make a purchase with the next couple of weeks and my question is why would a person choose side imaging over down imaging. I thought I wanted a Lowrance Elite 7 but after a trip to BPS yesterday I'm either gonna go with a Hummingbird 859 or 899. The down imaging seems pretty clear but the side imaging looks a bit confusing.

Take a look at the screenshots sticky in this forum. Should help you make up your mind. I love SI. The images you see depend on the water you fish and the structure/cover in the lake. If you get an SI unit, you will have DI. It's not a true DI, but in most applications it will be fine

Will do thanks

^{I have a 998 with SI and DI. Love it. You can do much better on price than at BP.}

^{I have a 998 with SI and DI. Love it. You can do much better on price than at BP.}

Where would you suggest? They're just about the only place I can walk in to that's local for me and look at the actual unit is why I was shopping there. Plus I always get good service there.

BP is a great place to look and touch, but on line pricing is better. I got mine from Universal Mania. Good service and a reasonable price. There are others out there also.

Where would you suggest? They're just about the only place I can walk in to that's local for me and look at the actual unit is why I was shopping there. Plus I always get good service there.

Read the PM I sent you with 4 sources.

I have bought several items from BOE marine.  They always beat everyone else for me.

I have a Humminbird 1197 and a 998 and the side imaging is really cool.  It will show you a much larger coverage area than DI/2d sonar, wasting less time

I Just bought a 899 HD SI and a 859 HD DI and replacing my old stuff on my 2000 191 champ.

All three duce's that are in the hull are not going to work.

Currently I am going to mount the duce on the trolling motor for the 859 and the other on the transom for the 899 and when possible I am going add a in hull and switch it from one to other...I have a flasher for high speed currently.

I have had all transduces put into my boats when bought new but my hardcore tournament days are over so I am updating this boat...

My question is if I mount on the transom today where is best spot for side scan without side scan interference for the 899....

Per this thread I bought both of these shipped for $1512.00 to the house with the TM motor bracket ...PM me if you want vendors name

Thanks Jay

I Just bought a 899 HD SI and a 859 HD DI and replacing my old stuff on my 2000 191 champ.

All three duce's that are in the hull are not going to work.

Currently I am going to mount the duce on the trolling motor for the 859 and the other on the transom for the 899 and when possible I am going add a in hull and switch it from one to other...I have a flasher for high speed currently.

I have had all transduces put into my boats when bought new but my hardcore tournament days are over so I am updating this boat...

My question is if I mount on the transom today where is best spot for side scan without side scan interference for the 899....

Per this thread I bought both of these shipped for $1512.00 to the house with the TM motor bracket ...PM me if you want vendors name

Thanks Jay

 

The Side Imaging pulses "see" from the water's surface to past vertical under the transducer on both sides.

Since the transducer is submerged, the side-to-side coverage is more than 180 degrees.

 

Your hull type and outboard mount type will determine the best location. 

 

One more thing as far as the Down Imaging transducer on the trolling motor. You should use the correct transducer for the application (trolling motor puck) instead of adpating the transom transducer for TM mounting.

If you don't know what that means, send me a PM.

The Side Imaging pulses "see" from the water's surface to past vertical under the transducer on both sides.

Since the transducer is submerged, the side-to-side coverage is more than 180 degrees.

 

Your hull type and outboard mount type will determine the best location. 

 

One more thing as far as the Down Imaging transducer on the trolling motor. You should use the correct transducer for the application (trolling motor puck) instead of adpating the transom transducer for TM mounting.

If you don't know what that means, send me a PM.

Thanks reading other post/threads this site and others I was wondering about the outboard shaft (Big Motor) getting in the way with the SI...Jay

Thanks reading other post/threads this site and others I was wondering about the outboard shaft (Big Motor) getting in the way with the SI...Jay

Yes, that is a consideration. PM sent

Pictures of the hull would help.  I mounted my transom SI transducer without drilling a single hole and it has an unobstructed view plus it reads up to top speed in my boat (52 mph)