First post here. Looking to replace 2 old graphs on my boat and need some advice. Want to upgrade to DI/SI and GPS. Am looking at Humminbird 859 for front and 899 for console. Saw the 859 at F&S and they are huge units for only a 7" screen. Dont know much about transducers and mounting them correctly. Can anyone recommend a good system for me. How important is being able to network them together. Am I on the right track with putting the SI graph at the console ant the DI graph at the bow. Dont want to regret an expensive purchase.

With those two units, you can have all the technologies on both of them since they cross/share the technologies.

It just takes the Ethernet cable and a couple of Ethernet adapters.

Along with sonar technology sharing, you can share GPS data and accessories.

If you decide to add the 360, both units can display it.

 

The boat you have will determine how/where the console transducer is installed, You can customize your setup for your boat and its capabilities.  Out of the box, it has all the parts for standard setup worldwide.

 

Remember there are two 859 models. 859ci HD Combo and 859ci HD DI Combo. If you order your units, state the whole model name you want.

The 899 is the 899ci HD SI Combo.

 

The 900 series models are exactly the same as the 800 series, just the display is a different size. The cabinet is the same.

Thanks Wayne. I have a Ranger R83 so I am concerned with xducer placement on the transom. Not sure what is the best location for it. A spot that it doesnt get ripped off or pick up interference from the outboard and still be able to use it on plane.

Just ordered the 859ci HD DI for the bow graph. Should I swap out the xducer for the TM specific one. Also will the ContourXD maps be any good or will I need an upgrade. Hopefully it is a good graph to last me many years.

Just ordered the 859ci HD DI for the bow graph. Should I swap out the xducer for the TM specific one. Also will the ContourXD maps be any good or will I need an upgrade. Hopefully it is a good graph to last me many years.

Yes, you need the XTM 9 WIDE DI 20 T trolling motor puck. It is tuned to 83/200 kHz 2D sonar plus it has extra internal shielding that the transom transducer does not have. Bottom line- use the correct parts for the application.

 

 

For the console SI unit, attach the Side Imaging transducer on the transom above the hull bottom and also install the shoot-thru XP 9 20 transducer and connect the shoot-thru and transom transducer to the display with the AS SIDB Y cable. That is the proper installation for your hull. Do it right the first time.

I would recommend you exchange the SI transducer comes in the 899ci HD SI Combo box for the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T. It will improve the performance of the 899.

 

 

The ContourXD built-in mapping has 3,000 locations with contours for the whole US. That means there are many more thousands of locations not included. It your waters are not included, the unit can use Lakemaster and Navionics map products.

Thank you very much Wayne. I would have ended up doing it wrong so I really appreciate your help and knowledge. I didnt realize there were so many different xducers and cables and options with all these new graphs. I guess thats what you get with technology and I am a little behind the times.