Getting ready to install a HB 899 Si and want to get some input from ppl with more experience. I now have two Si units one Helix the other 899, here is my conundrum, which for the bow and which on console?. I already have an older Lowrance 322c on console, has gps, so I'm thinking of just adding the Helix to the console and use it for sonar. So I'd have the Lowrance showing a fullscreen gps and the Helix showing Sonar. Then the 899 for the bow, both Si units have the HD puck and I'm thinking of getting a high speed 2d puck for console unit. My thinking is when I'm at the helm the units are within 2-3 feet so I have a good view up close. I'm 6' 2" and currently have trouble seeing the details on the Helix at the bow when in Si mode, screen is about 8-10 feet from eyes. I'm thinking the 899 st the bow will cure that problem. What are your thoughts?

What mount are you going to use? Ram makes a long and short arm mount and the long arm might be a better option for to bow. 

Good idea! I'm so new to electronics that I'm not aware of mounting options. Right now the helix is on the deck, stock mount.

What do u think about locales for the units? Scrap the Lowrance altogether? Put 899 @ console and raise the helix on the bow?

You don't want to know what I think   I scrapped my 858 and 998 for (2) 1100 series units. The nice thing about the 899 over the Helix for the bow is the 3 memory preset screen buttons, so if you're on the bow you won't have to screw around looking thru all different views until you find the one you want. The 899 is a 7" screen vs a 5"  on the Helix BUT the information bar removes an inch so you're down to a 6" and 4" screen respectively.   

...The nice thing about the 899 over the Helix for the bow is the 3 memory preset screen buttons, so if you're on the bow you won't have to screw around looking thru all different views.......BUT the information bar removes an inch so you're down to a 6" and 4" screen respectively.

That's part of what I was thinking too. Can you turn off the info bar or make it smaller?

That's part of what I was thinking too. Can you turn off the info bar or make it smaller?

You can turn off the digital readouts in the full screen SI view only--no you cannot change the sizes. That setting is in the Sonar Menu titled SI Readouts.

Thanks Wayne ..... You should teach a class on these things, I would both pay and travel. Just out of curiosity were you a sonar tech in the Navy?

Thanks Wayne ..... You should teach a class on these things, I would both pay and travel. Just out of curiosity were you a sonar tech in the Navy?

 

 

LOL, no I am just a nobody that knows how to use my stuff and others stuff too sometimes.