I bought a Hummingbird 957c. Has anyone ever used this model or know someone who has. It has a 8in screen 480x800 resolution and some other cool features that I really like. Navionics bundle etc. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

For the same price, you can get Side Imaging, a higher resolution screen, and an internal GPS antenna.

798ci SI, the screen is smaller though.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging

visit this site before buying. They will offer great advice. The 917 is a great unit. I have one on the bow, and I run the 997 on the console. They even have some newer models that just come out this year with new prices. Plus the side imaging units are now coming with down imaging, which is just as incredible. Research before you pull the trigger

You can get it cheaper than that-----

http://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-Combo-Color-Finder-Chartplotter/dp/B000MPRJ9I

I decided to go with the Hummingbird 957c loaded with the Navionics bundle. This unit has an 8 inch screen 480x800pixel count and 1000 watts rms power. It's not a si but this unit is top of the line and I think I will really enjoy this unit. I wasnt expecting to be able to afford a screen this size so I am pleased. Any input on the 957c would be appreciated. I paid 900$ shipped with transducer included and navionics bundle.

This has been one of the most difficult products I have ever researched.

Is there a performance difference between internal/external antenna?

What do external antenns look like? Cost?

Looking at Humminbirds, I don't see where 'not included software' is needed, or costs.

I look at pictures of SI and it makes no sense; is the view on it's side?

Fishbone, there is no performance difference in the antennas. Some like the external antenna for the display on the console because they can mount the antenna above the sonar transducer to get an accurate fix on what is seen on the sonar. Some like the internal antenna (me) because finding a place and running the wire for an antenna is not needed.

On some craft, a radio frequency blocking fixture will prevent the antenna from receiving so it has to be mounted remotely.

The external antenna for most brands looks like a white domed hocky puck. You can visit any mfg website and look at the accessories for a unit to see what it looks like.

For Side Imaging by Humminbird and Structure Scan by Lowrance, you have to adapt to the way it is displayed on screen. For us old timers, the change from flashers to LCR units was an adjustment also.

Lowrance and Humminbird units can be purchased with or without other product software. Most prefer the Navionics software for their units for the best detail, and bodies of water covered. Pre-loaded mapping may not be as complete as the separately purchased regional software. Also with so many bodies of water available digitally, most units don't have the memory capacity for all of it. 

For mapping GPS, your research should start with what bodies of water you navigate and then find out what unit mfg. will display whatever software that includes those bodies of water.

I decided to go with the Hummingbird 957c loaded with the Navionics bundle. This unit has an 8 inch screen 480x800pixel count and 1000 watts rms power. It's not a si but this unit is top of the line and I think I will really enjoy this unit. I wasnt expecting to be able to afford a screen this size so I am pleased. Any input on the 957c would be appreciated. I paid 900$ shipped with transducer included and navionics bundle.

I'm sure you will be happy with the unit. For the money though, I would be installing a side imaging unit on the boat as soon as the package arrived.

You had the chance to have the latest technology available and you turned it down.

Different strokes for different folks though. JMO.

Enjoy,

Jack

Choke Canyon Boy;

The 957 is a nice looking unit.

The list price difference between 917 and 957 is $300. The only feature difference I see is twice the sonar rms power; 500 vs 1000.

Is that power increase important enough for 300 clams?

Where did you buy?

Where can you find the 957 units. I have looked everywhere for them.  I dont need the SI. ANy help.

StrokerAce, just do a Google search for it.

Be aware that some dealers show a low cost and the reason is that it does not come with some needed components such as transducer or GPS antenna. Read the advertizement carefully.

Some of the higher cost units come with all components and Navionics software.

Buyer Beware !!!!!!

Yes i found them after i wrote the post. 

Thanks for the quick response.

Fishbone the difference between the 917 and 957 is more than just the rms. The screen is 8 as compared to 7. The 957 had the quad transducer instead of the dual. Plus i got a ton of pre loaded maps to boot. These units are going for 1500$ on the humminbird website right now just google humminbird 957c nvb and it should pop up. A lot of people are telling me I made a mistake by not getting the SI however for 900$ I would have got a SI with a 5in screen which a lot of people have said is worthless on such a small screen.  I would rather have a big screen where I can have a no compromise split screen view. I bought the unit from BBG marine in Atlanta complete with quad transducer and nvb for 900 dollars so I am very pleased to have a huge screen instead of a tiny screen with SI. Thats jusy my opionion. I will install this unit soon and after some use I will let you guys know what I think. BTW these units are on EBAY complete with transducer for like 1000$.

I don't think you wasted your money. Its yours and if you like the unit then good for you. You will not be disappointed with the images you get with it. Although I do disagree with the people that say SI is useless on a small screen. They just don't know how to read it. I had a 797si on my bow for a year and a half. Sure my 997 is easier to read but useless is taking it too far.

My budget was 1000$ and from personal past experience I knew I wanted a larger screen. The unit this 957C is replacing is a Lowrance 520C. Split Screen on the 520C was way to small to effectively show gps and sonar at the same time. If I had more to spend I would have got a 1197SI. I cant imagine a split 5in screen to be adequate for detail with a SI unit. The new tech. will have to wait I guess...

I took my freshly installed 957c out today for the first time.This unit is freggin sweet. I spotted bass on the graph in 42 feet of water and boated 3 on a hump there. I have very rarely fished this far off shore however with the nvb showing all of the bottom contours of my whole lake I now have literaly 50+ spots that I want to try in 30ft or deeper water. The clarity is top notch. There are a ton of different ways to fine tune the settings to my personal preference. This unit is huge it looks like a small TV is ram mounted near my console. I was even up front trolling turned the screen around and had no problems seeing the screen. I am throughly satisified with this unit and plan on getting another for the bow. For 900$ I still cant believe I got such a good deal.