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Jstew.
Always had Lowrance but just bought a boat with Humminbird. I have an 859c on the bow that I have to add an antenna and a 997 in the console that has an external antenna. The 997 has a bad screen and I want to replace it but Im a little stumped. Why is the 997 the same size as the 800 series units? I cant seem to find an 800 series unit that has an external antenna and SI/DI. If I put an internal antenna unit in the console, will it have a connection for the external antenna and will it read the external antenna? Im concerned that I will lose my signal mounted in the console with an internal antenna. I also have to leave the antenna where it is or I will have a hole in the top of the boat. Looking to put an 899 SI combo at the console. The Humminbird website doesnt show any external antenna units. Have they discontinued them? Thanks.
The 800 series and 900 series units physically have the same external dimensions. The difference is that the screen itself is a little smaller on the 800 series. The 859 is a newer model which has an internal antenna. Your 997 is an older model and requires an external GPS receiver. An 899 SI also has DI and has an internal GPS receiver. If you put an 899 in dash, just leave the external antenna where it is without actually hooking it up so you dont have to fill a hole.
Catdude is right, the dimensions are the same for an 800 & 900 except for the screen size. I run 2 of the older 898 SI/DIs. Dont pull the external off if you get an 899 or one with internal antenna, that hole would stick out like a sore thumb96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
If you get a new 899, as mentioned above that will have both side and down imaging. My understanding is that you can attach an external GPS puck to the 899, even though it has an internal receiver–this makes your way points on the Stern transducer more accurate, so its a good thing. I bet your existing puck plugs right in but hummingbird customer service can verify. Also, your 997 has the high definition transducer, which is better quality than the one that comes with the 899–as long as the transducer itself is in good shape I would leave it in place or youd be downgrading by reinstalling the new one from an 899. On the new models from hummingbird the high definition transducer starts with the 900 series (although if you have an unopened transducer from an 899 they will switch it out for a high definition one for a fee, I think $75) If your units are connected by an ethernet cable, I believe you also need an adapter for the new 800 series, possibly even for the new 900 series.
By the way, if the unit on your bow is an 859 (not an 858) then it has an internal GPS receiver and does not require an external antenna, and at the bow that should be fine since its placed more or less directly over the transducer.
You can hook an external GPS to you 899 unit. I always put one on mine. It just makes sense because your transducer is mounted on the transom so why not have your antenna at the rear as well so that you are closer to your structure when you mark a way point. If you have an internal antenna at the console and you are marking way points by what you see on your transducer on the transom then you are several feet off your target every time. AndyAndy Greene Greene Boat & Motor 828-286-2290 http://www.greeneboats.com
greeneboat wrote: You can hook an external GPS to you 899 unit. I always put one on mine. It just makes sense because your transducer is mounted on the transom so why not have your antenna at the rear as well so that you are closer to your structure when you mark a way point. If you have an internal antenna at the console and you are marking way points by what you see on your transducer on the transom then you are several feet off your target every time. AndyThis is true and was the “norm” at one time, but since side imaging and moving the curser away from the transducer DI/sonar, youre actually marking a “spot”, so relationship to the antenna is irrelevant. If it were me making the suggestions, I would suggest getting the new DF (900 or 800) series for te dash, using an eithernet link connect the bow and console together. By doing this, you can choose which antenna (internal or external) you want to use on which DF. Just an opinion.JohnJones Trolling Motor Services870 773 3474Motorguide/MinnKota/PowerPole/Lowrance/Humminbird
JonesTrollingMotor wrote:greeneboat wrote: You can hook an external GPS to you 899 unit. I always put one on mine. It just makes sense because your transducer is mounted on the transom so why not have your antenna at the rear as well so that you are closer to your structure when you mark a way point. If you have an internal antenna at the console and you are marking way points by what you see on your transducer on the transom then you are several feet off your target every time. AndyThis is true and was the “norm” at one time, but since side imaging and moving the curser away from the transducer DI/sonar, youre actually marking a “spot”, so relationship to the antenna is irrelevant. If it were me making the suggestions, I would suggest getting the new DF (900 or 800) series for te dash, using an eithernet link connect the bow and console together. By doing this, you can choose which antenna (internal or external) you want to use on which DF. Just an opinion.JohnIts been discussed on HB specific forums that an external gps puck performs better than the internal. As long as its a 50 channel external and not the old 16, keep the one you have. As a bonus, youll be within a foot or so of the transducer.
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