4.6 mph is pretty quick idle... I would try at the slowest idle speed it will give you more detail. Can you post a side view of the and wider shot of the transom so I can see what the back of the boat looks like. Could be something on the back reducing the coverage.

Here are the new pics I moved the transducer. I don't have a jack plate so when I crank the motor up I get some disturbance on the left side but I will deal with it. I believe these pics are better but I'm still having to idle faster up to 5mph when I slow down the pic gets shaded.

how do you access the contour xd maps on a 898? Where can I find a list of lakes covered with contour xd? Thanks

JimL, if you don't put a map card in one of the card slots, the maps will be shown in the Chart view. It is the newest background maps that replaced the Uni-Map in some units.

I have the list but don't remember where I got it. Send me an email ---purdum43@aol.com----and I'll send it to you.

The Contour XD lake list can be found online at the below link:

http://store.humminbird.cust.shopatron.com/media/document/ContourXDMapLakeList.pdf

Thanks Deborah, that is were I got the list but couldn't find it in the the FAQ search using Contour XD or just XD.

Thanks for the info but all I get from chart view is a choice of visible or hidden, i have it set on visible, I asume this unit does not have the contour xd, even though it is supposed to be a new unit. I'm also wondering why I am not getting a water temp displayed, the transducer appears to have a temp probe but I do not have a temp displayed on the screen. Do I need a separate temp probe or do I just not have something set right in the settings? Thanks, Jim

Jim, have you checked a particular body of water for contour lines?
Have you selected the Temp to be displayed in one of the data locations?
Each data readout location has several choices.
That is in the "Select Readouts" menu.

I have been on Squaw Creek and only had the base map but that is the only lake so far that I've been on that is on the contour list. As for the Temp display, I have not selected a location yet, will do so now. Sorry for being so ignorant about this unit but did not get a manuel with it so it all trial and error for me, once I get it figured out I know I'll love this thing, what I've seen on it so far is amazing. Thanks for the info.

Did you get the CD manual?
If you want a paper copy, you can call Humminbird and get one.

I wish I had of gotten the cd manual, the place that ordered and installed the unit for me said there was no manual with it, I'll call HB. Thanks Wayne.

Jim, you can read and/or print the manual from the Humminbird web site also:

http://store.humminbird.com/media/document/M_5317431_B.pdf

I have a 1197 and can not get a depth reading on 2d sonar at more than 10 mph. I have tried to change the transducer angle several times but it has not helped. Has anyone had this problem or know what I could do to fix it, thanks.

janson, post a picture of your tranducer installation. The hull type and construction is everything when considering a transom mounted transducer for on-plane depth readings.
One size does not fit all.

I have actually had it on two separate boats a center console and now a deep v aluminum with the same problem. It is in the only spot I can have it mounted on the back of my boat now. I can take pics but do not know how to post them and I have had at least 10 different depth finders and never had this problem.