Am looking to purchase a new graph for my boat and was curious if SI is worth the money? Do you seem to catch more fish now that you have the SI? Am sure you can locate structure better and mark more fish. Am just curious?? Any input would be great. Thanks

Yes to all your questions. If you dont have it, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage IMO.

I can not tell you how much time I have saved from not fishing dead water. I have found countless brushpiles, drains, rocks, ledges that I know I would not have found with traditional sonar with out allot of idling around.

Just like anything else though, it's only tool that can help you if you learn how to properly use it.

Just joined the side imaging family a couple of weeks ago. I now know what we have been missing. It is a great tool for finding productive fishing places in a short amount of time. Before with 2d down sonar we had to drive over the structure to see it. Hard to do with a brush pile that is only 5' wide. I love side imaging and still have not even learned to use it all yet!

I agree with everything stated above. I have had my 1198 for a year or so and now have the confidence to understand most of what I see with it and can see and catch (sometimes) the fish I see. It is really cool to locate some fish, fish for them and catch them. Once you do, it really makes you a beliver. I can't imagine not having this technology now that I have experienced it. Invest in this and take the time to learn to use it. You wont be sorry.

For me now it's a must. It's a great way to eliminate water. I say get it unless your competing against me.

definite yes for sure

Yes! Just got one last year and can't live without it.

Yes. And while you're at it, might as well get 360 imaging. It is the future.

get it and your fishing game will change forever.... hands down you will learn more....see more....catch more....

Yes, but a warning. I know a couple of people that have si and never use it. If you're a sight fisherman and never want to do anything else, you don't need it. For dedicated bankbeaters it's a waste of money.

But if you fish offshore structure, or plan to in the future, it's the best piece of equipment on your boat. There is a learning curve though, so plan on putting in some learning time.

My goal for this year was to fish open water and quit pounding the banks into sand.
SI has helped me do that. I can cruise around and mark structure or individual fish. It also helps me locate bait schools. It is so detailed I have found areas of spawning bed depressions...that is really cool.
I fish both deep water and large flats....it works well either way.

I ordered a Hummingbird SI Combo this morning from one of TFF members: Shut-up-and-fish, can hardly wait to get it in and installed.

SI lets you be a sight fisherman no matter what the depth or water color is. SI is your underwater eyes.
It will show what is away from the boat as far has you have the range setting (if the bottom is flat emough) as long as the transducer is not buried in the lake bottom.

Wayne,
I have a question for you. Noticed that after I place my 798CiSi on the map and I am running on plane it sometimes shows the depth at 2.5' when I know for sure that I am in 30-60' of water. I have the transducer shield and all mounted to the jackplate as instructed. Thanks,

Is that the only transducer you have connected to the unit?

With a jackplate mounted SI transducer, it is not in the water when the hull is on plane.

The transducer has to be submerged to function.

The view you have selected has nothing to do with the depth displayed.