Everything I have read on all the forums was leaning toward an update now for everything but the down scan and another update in Jan for down scan...I did just read that the gps speed enhance was Jan on the yahho group as well so now I am confused...I'm going to call HB...

I have the same left side issue. It works fine in depths over 15ft or so, but shallower than that its just a dark mess on the left side.

which model do you have?

That has to be a transducer location problem...

I concur...

My left is not as good as the right as well but it's OK. Since most of our transducers are installed on the right side as you are facing toward the bow, it is the motor and other obstructions causing the problem.

One can make it a lot better with a little research and experimenting for your particular boat. It's very important to use one of those plastic plates for mounting your transducer because you might have to move it around a bit.

Hello from Santiago, Chile.

I have the 997C. I have moved the transducer 5 times. I have also sent the transducer back to HB. They said it was fine and sent it back. It was a total pain in the arse to get it working as well as it does now. It used to not work at all on the left side no matter the depth. I moved the transducer to the left side and then the left side was great and the right side was jacked. I just wish it wasn't so sensative to the motor.

I mounted mine dead center and it works great! Might try that.

Five times is at least 10 screw holes. I have run into the same aggravating issues mounting transducers over the years that you have experienced and so have lots of boater friends of mine. I know how discouraging it is to drill holes here and there in the boat hull trying to mount a transducer and then to find that that it doesn't work or is just so so, settle for something or just give up. We found the correct way to mount transducers and it was not by default.

Dead center would hit the motor when it was down. I assume you set it off just to one side? Did you use anything kind of mounting plate to have the transducer set back from the transom?

I bought some thick polproplyene plastic and experimented with that concept but without seeing any notably better results. In researching and studying the issue I discovered it is really a combination of the the deep V center mass, bubbles, and very turbulent water causing the obstruction. This is of course the remaining interference after you tilt the motor.

Another issue is there could be a slight tilt to the right on your boat that may not be obvious when running. Therefore you would be transmitting a notable amount of the sonar signal out into the water column instead of toward the bottom.

If a person really want's a left side equally as good as the right and has not found a solution with transducer placement, the best is to buy a second SI transducer for the left side. There is a Y cable from humminbird especially for this setup.

FnL I believe you already have one of these plastic boards but for any others that are going to buy an SI whether humminbird or lowrance be sure to get one or two...

I guess my jackplate and the way the Champion is built could be a factor in why mine works. Sorry I should have explained that.

I need to get one of the Y connecetors and a second transducers. I will look into that.

I went and looked at the 997 at cabelas last night since they have it on sale for $1499. I have a few questions.

1. Can you get rid of/shrink the info screen on the left side so you can have more room to view side/down imaging and map all at the same time?

2. When is the faster GPS update going to be available for the 997?

3. What is the layout of side, down, map going to look like on the 997?

I still like the look and feel of the Lowrance better but for money's sake I think the 997 on sale is the way to go for now.

If I buy the HDS-8 for $1699 + $550 (structure scan) + $250 for external puck since I want my puck mounted directly above my transducer like I have now.

So $2499 for HDS-8 or $1499 for 997 is a no brainer plus $100 for a navionics card since the 997 basic has the really cheesy white lakes with no info on them.

1. Can you get rid of/shrink the info screen on the left side so you can have more room to view side/down imaging and map all at the same time? On mine you can make them smaller and eliminate the ones you do not want all together.

2. When is the faster GPS update going to be available for the 997? January is what I have read.
3. What is the layout of side, down, map going to look like on the 997? PM Eddie@Humminbird here on TFF. That is his user name on here.

Here is a used 997 I found today for sale
http://classifieds.espnoutdoors.com/cate...-six-times.html