These threads will be used for information on each selected brand of SONAR. As of right now they will remain unlocked so that someone with questions can ask and hopefully receive the help they need. Please respect the idea behind these and keep the cross brand fighting out. If it becomes an issue the threads will be locked.


I would like to thank Doug Vahrenberg for the Humminbird info

Digital Sonar - An Explanation

Sonar by its very nature uses an "analog" sound wave that is transmitted
into the water by the fishfinder transmitter. These sound waves travel
into the water on a carrier frequency such as 200kHz. These sound waves
echo off the bottom, fish, and structure creating many varying sonar
echoes that return back to the receiver on the analog frequency. This
analog signal is then converted to digital within the fishfinder by
virtually all marine electronics companies - the differences lie in what
point within the sonar system the conversion takes place. Those promoting
"digital" sonar convert these analog signals to digital within a sonar
receiver itself. Humminbird converts analog signals using the analog to
digital capability of the on-board microprocessor. Therefore, Humminbird
offers digital technology, however the conversion from analog to digital
just occurs differently that what is being promoted by others. It is
interesting to note that Humminbird has been converting analog to digital
in this manner since 1989.

Infinite Variable Bandwidths

Further benefits of units marketed as "digital" sonar include technology
such as adaptive transmitters, and "virtually" infinite variable
bandwidths. It is important for the consumer to know that these benefits
are not limited to the methodology of the so called "digital" sonar
products. If fact these and other techniques are central to Humminbird's
Professional Grade Sonar. Humminbird transmitter design offers adaptive
technology that modulates power and pulse width based on conditions.

Additionally, our receiver offers variable bandwidth and wide 90db dynamic
range to hear both high and low intensity signals simultaneously. Another
key benefit touted by marketers of "digital" sonar is the use of filtering
algorithms in their design to remove unwanted noise and clutter. The use
of filtering techniques produces results counter to the desires of all
anglers, since these "intelligent" algorithms actually remove information
that is important to the angler - such as detail in structure and fish.
This is clearly evident when comparing on-water sonar images from the
"digital" products to the same structure when viewed by a Humminbird
product.
Dual Beam Plus Sonar:
200kHz @ 20 Degrees (1/3 of Depth Area of Coverage)
83kHz @ 60 Degrees (Equal Coverage Area of Depth)



See the additional fish with the benefit of added Coverage Area the 83 kHz
provides. It is recommended to run 200/83 Combined for finding fish. If
using for High Speed running for Depth 200 kHz narrow coverage area will
produce less turbulence in the image due to narrower coverage area.

Switchfire 2D Sonar - two sonar operating systems

Clear Mode: Is a precision sonar system that has some special
features. Time Variable Gain times the distance the sonar returns have
travelled and allow the unit to size fish no matter the depths so the same
physical size fish are displayed equally on the display. So a 5 Pound fish
will be represented the same size on the display at 10' as it is at 100'
as it is at 1000'. Clear Mode also filters out small particle returns like
aeration, algae, plankton, etc so it shows only fish and structure. Clear
Mode also has the ability to adjust the power of the unit and is the best
choice for shallow water applications as it balances the power to the
depth.





Max Mode: Is unfiltered data that can use returns from the sonar
side lobes thus increasing the data returned to the unit and easier for
jig tracking when vertical fishing. The unfiltered data also returns small
particle data like plankton, algae, air bubbles, etc. The sonar return are
displayed exactly as they are received so the fish returns diminish over
depth for the same physical size fish.





Both of the top Images are with factory default settings for both modes of
Switchfire 2D Sonar. Look at the detail that Humminbird 2D soanr can
produce without creating a blob of color of the bridge. This same image
will be shown in Down Imaging and Side Imaging to compare the detail.

Down Imaging from Side Imaging:
797c2, 798c, 898c, 981c, 987c, 997c, 998c, 1197c, 1198c

Humminbird offers Down Imaging to all Side Imaging owners and an industry
exclusive user selectable coverage area:

Wide is approximately 1.5 Times Depth
Medium is approximately same as depth
Narrow is approximately 1/3 of depth

Dual Frequency: 455 kHz or 800kHz

The signal returns are more box shaped versus cone shape of 2D sonar. It
is very narrow beam front to rear to produce high detail images. Look at
the ditches in this image that 2D sonars wide coverage area could not show
the details. This was captured with 200 kHz 2D sonar to try and capture
the detail but still had to large front to rear coverage to produce the
details that Down Imaging or Side Imaging does.



Down Imaging produces picture like images of down looking sonar and is a
great tool to transitional tool from 2D sonar to high frequency sonar.
Down Imaging helps to positively ID fish and structure. Can you find the
three trees with Crappie?







Dedicated Down Imaging:

Humminbird also offers dedicated Down Imaging with Switchfire 2D Only
units: 570 DI, 596c HD DI, 597ci HD DI, 788ci HD DI. These units feature a
transducer that has both Traditional 2D Sonar with Switchfire Sonar
processing system and Down Imaging.

455kHz (DI) is like Wide Beam 1.5 times the depth coverage area
800kHz (DI) is equal to depth coverage
200kHz (2D) is 1/3 of depth coverage

Side Imaging:

Humminbird introduced affordable, boat mounted side scan sonar in 2004 and
have been adding new features and improvements since then. Side Imaging
sonar has a unique features that give the user picture like images of
everything under the water's surface. Plus the user can tell exactly which
side of the transducer the data comes from. This huge coverage area,
positive structure and fish ID of high frequency sonar makes it the
ultimate tool for fish and structure finding.

Coverage Area is user defined by the amount of area they wish to scan up
to 240' foot to each side for a total of 480' of coverage in a single pass
and maximum depth of 150'.

455kHz is 180 Degrees of coverage area - 90 Degrees to each side
800kHz is 110 Degrees of coverage area - 55 Degrees to each side

These images show the shallow wide side coverage of Humminbird SI. See the
moss growing on the boat ramp? See my boat trailer on the boat ramp?
Showing proof that Humminbird SI has full coverage to the water's surface.







And Full Coverage under the transducer. First image is splitting the
willow trees on both sides... this was taken when the lake rose and
flooded the parking lot and you can see the willows in the picture before
the flood. The coverage can overlap when you get deeper as can be seen in
the last images as the bridge is being shown fully on both sides of the
screen so you have 180 degrees of coverage with 455kHz Side Imaging.











Will Side Imaging work in Shallow Water? Look at coverage area.

Will it work on the Trolling Motor?











360 Degree Turn...

What can Side Imaging Show you?



















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GPS Receiver:

Humminbird offers the GR-50 50 Channel GPS Receiver as Standard Equipment.
It can track up to 50 Satellites at one time which allows it to hold onto
satellites longer and pick-up new satellites sooner to get a better fix of
your location. It also increased the accuracy of the receiver to 2.5
Meters, when hooked direct to the unit it offers 4 Times Per Second
Refresh Rate of the GPS Location.





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Mapping Options:

Humminbird offers ContourXD maps on most models giving you 3,000 Lakes
coverage with contour lines or UniMap base outline of USA Coverage (no
Contours). Optional coverage is can be sourced from LakeMaster or
Navionics.

UniMap:



Navionics Premium:



Navionics Platinum Contour Lines:



Navionics Platinum 3D:



Lake Master:

Very well done!!!

Humminbird Side Imaging Enhance:

Humminbird has an Exclusive feature that is called SI Enhance that helps you locate and spot fish easier. Here are a two series of images that show the differences at all 4 levels and how SI Enhance can help the "Fish" jump out at you.

Find the Fish in the Creek?









Scattered Fish...









Motherlode of Fish:
SI Enhance OFF:



SI Enhance Low:

Humminbird 2011 New Features:

Here's some new example of the new feature that were released for 2011 with FREE Software Upgrade...

Contour Mode - Off



Contour Mode - On (You can understand this boat ramp better and where the sunken boat is located from the end of it on the right side)



Range Lines -OFF



Range Lines - On (Using Coverage Area you can adjust Range Lines to help judge distance to points of interest on the screen)



Side Imaging Navigation Mode changes the Boat Icon at the top to show how to navigate to get to GPS Navigation path you have selected to waypoint without having to watch GPS screen. Notice Boat Icon turns orange in this feature.

Here you need to make a hard left...



New Down Imaging Zoom feature lets you zoom in on details...

HUMMINBIRD VIDEO CLIPS

General Sources

Humminbird on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/HumminbirdTV
Doug Vahrenberg's website - http://www.dougvahrenberg.com/Videos.html
You Tube (Account: Imonbass) - http://www.youtube.com/user/imonbass

Specific Topic Videos


How to Change Page Views and Set Favorite Presetshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je2KYuzn2Jw

Humminbird Display Cleaning Tips:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fe89SH8xmc

Software Updating Step-by-Step - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TZtvcpzQRM

Software Updating with Humminbird PC by Robert Gecy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb37UQW2Emk

How to Update your unit by GDay - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jeRAXyq3KQ

Fish Arches in 2D Sonar Explanation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94IRdadVmns

Sonar Recording added with SI and DI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i26UqTKDZr0

How to make a Sonar Recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6syxV4juFk

Humminbird Waterproof and Floats: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FF2__9saXc


Kevin VanDam Instructional Videos:

Tip #1 Subtle Structure Changes - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?...=null
Tip #2 New Water - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4983207
Tip #3 Identifying Structure/Cover - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5001125
Tip #4 Fishing Manmade Structure - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5079441
Tip #5 Following Depth contours - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5125994
Tip #6 Finding Structure Around Marinas - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5146836
Tip #7 Finding Suspended Fish - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5186111
Tip #8 Fishing Docks - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5247582
Tip #9 Fishing Shoreline and Laydowns - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5277013
Tip #10 Fishing Weedbeds - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5396013


Miscellaneous Videos

Jason Halfen goes in-depth about Humminbird Product....Hour Long Video but lots of good information: http://www.jasonhalfenoutdoors....html

Dave Wolak on Using Electronics - http://vimeo.com/11840189

Humminbird Advanced Sonar Seminar

Part 1: Coverage Areas http://youtu.be/sq74UJaNMSs

Part 2: Switchfire 2D Settings http://youtu.be/RhVfy4QBMFM

Part 3: Down Imaging Settings http://youtu.be/mF6d8AjJETw

Part 4: Side Imaging Settings http://youtu.be/z-OKoglPkng

Part 5: Side Imaging Features http://youtu.be/wG76FvY8pWA

Part 6: How to Find the Fish http://youtu.be/ck087QvGIBs

Part 7: Trolling Motor Side Imaging http://youtu.be/9HQ-Eo01gb0

Part 8: GPS Basics http://youtu.be/nP6WJ0h2LeQ

Part 9: GPS Advanced http://youtu.be/4btE-Vm4fmw

Humminbird Contact and FAQ Information:

Customer Service Phone #: 1 800 633 1468

Hours of Operation: - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8 a.m. central time - 4:30 p.m. central time
Wednesday - 8:30 a.m. central time - 4:30 p.m. central time

E-mail: cservice@johnsonoutdoors.com

Website: http://www.humminbird.com


We would like to request that when you call or email customer service with questions specific to your unit that you are able to provide us with the below information in order to better assist you:

1) Unit Name
2) Unit Serial Number
3) Software Version (This video shows you how to find your software version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S95bcXDSVb4)
4) Date of Purchase

You can also find answers to many commonly asked questions on our website.

Common FAQ:
http://www.humminbird.com/FAQ.aspx

You can find copies of manuals:
http://www.humminbird.com/supp....aspx

Register a new product:
http://www.humminbird.com/Supp....aspx

What the current software version is, and when it was released:
http://www.humminbird.com/FAQ.aspx?ContentId=2904


If you are having issues with your unit, to rule out any settings one of the first things we will also ask you to do is to Restore your Default settings on the unit.
This is very easy to do. Please see the video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhChWVs5wl4

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Humminbird Quick Start Guide
http://store.humminbird.com/me...e.pdf

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Humminbird Manufacturing is located in Eufuala, Alabama and Not only home to Manufacturing but Customer Service, Marketing Services and some of the engineering and product test facilities. Humminbird is owned by Johnson Outdoors http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com/



They even manufacture/build their own control boards











And From the Outside looking at 678 Humminbird Lane in Eufaula, Alabama:



And here's the hard working folks that make it all happen:

Why the Red/Green Color Pallet for SI???

The Strong return show up in red and make it quick and easy to spot hard bottom in soft bottom areas like a rock in the middle of the great lakes or mussle shell beds here are some examples of shell bed locator with Red/Green Color Pallet.