The most common question people have when they first see Side Imaging is� �what am I looking at?� You see what appears to be the bottom, but if you�re supposed to interpret the display as if you were looking vertically down at the bottom, then why is there an edge to the bottom? Is that the top? People also think of a water column as vertical. So why/how is the water column, which is vertical, displayed with the bottom, which is horizontal?
These questions are the #1 problem people have with interpreting the display. The good news is that after only a few minutes of coaching, people have the �Ah ha!� moment where everything clicks and they get it.
Probably the best example I�ve seen of trying to explain Side Imaging was from professional guide Doug Vahrenburg. He recorded an excellent video of himself folding a print-out of an SI screen shot, showing how you should interpret the display. This explanation technique is now seen all over Humminbird promotional material. In essence, you fold a full-page print of the screen capture along the boat path (center), then back the other way where the sonar begins to paint the bottom. The result is a 3D depiction that is sufficient to comfort most people.

My son looked at me while looking at our SI screen. He asked me how to read it. I explained with the Peice of paper trick. He sat for a minute and points at the screen. He pointed at the line running through the middle of the screen and says I can explain that easier. He says the white line is the middle of the road. The water colum is what's under the boat (the road) and to the right and left are what on the side of the road. Kids are SMART.

My son looked at me while looking at our SI screen. He asked me how to read it. I explained with the Peice of paper trick. He sat for a minute and points at the screen. He pointed at the line running through the middle of the screen and says I can explain that easier. He says the white line is the middle of the road. The water colum is what's under the boat (the road) and to the right and left are what on the side of the road. Kids are SMART.