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g2072.
As all of you know, back a few weeks ago i had my boat on here for sale. Well, the guy who was going to buy it backed out. Now i have just decided to keep it and do some upgrades to it. I am wanting to put a humminbird 788ci combo on the bow and a hummingbird 798ci SI combo at the console. First question: Is it worth going ahead and paying the extra money for the navionics if i will probably only fish in the southeast? Second question: Is there anyone out there who as an amateur, installed this equipment on there boat. I just thought that i could possibly install this equipment myself and save about $400. Third Question: How hard is it to install the deck extension on a Sabre? Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give. This forum is great!
I can tell you that the installation of a deck extension is very simple. Usually just a couple of screws and its secured. Anyone can do it. As for the electronics, Ill leave that to others. KentKent Charles 2002 Pantera Classic & 200 Yamaha VMax
Thats what i thought Kent. I just hate drilling holes in the boat. Thanks for the info!
A buddy has the Navionics Bundle and is not very impressed with it at all. He is very impressed with the sonar technology but not the GPS/Lake mapping. I would skip it and just buy the chips for whatever region you are fishing in. I did get a chance also to look at the tidal info on his Garmin unit and was highly impressed with the tidal info, its unlike Lowrance where you need to find a tidal station which is a pain in the rear and does not give you tidal info for where you are..only at the tidal station. If Ihad my way I would get either the new HDS unit from Lowrance or the HB Si. And also get the garmin for the tidal info. But on Uncle Sams salary i will have to stick with my 520/522 combo.
The navionics that are on them are from the 07, so they are outdated with any of the updated lakes. Buy the card, best place for prices that I have found is http://www.jandhproducts.com I have bought several things from them. I have installed my 797 on my boat, along with the gps puck. Sucked drilling into a brand new boat but it had to be done. Just measure twice and cut once, take your time dont get in a hurry.Last edited by tae73 on February 25th, 2009, 8:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks to all who has replied. Your information is helpful in making my decisions. I still need someone to tell me if an amateur can install the electronics or should i pay the extra cash and let a dealer install it? Again, thanks for all the info.
I agree as far as skipping the built-in Navionics bundle. The install is not tthat tough in my opinion. I installed my 797si though Ill admit it was a little intimidating, plus every boat is a little different. Dont rush into it, take your time, size everything up from more than one angle, then sleep on it for a few days. I suggest you start gathering ideas by scanning though the electronics board archives on bassboat central website.
We need someone more Hummin bird savvy than me. But if I remember right , the guys were not recommending an si for the troller. Also remember the transducer is to mounted on the jack plate. Wish Judd would chime in. Hes more informed with the si. Glynn
The 700 series is fine for an upgrade. To mount the SI transducer you should put it center below the jack plate or on the plate. The install may save you a couple of hours labor if your willing to play with the install. As for the Navionics bundle, it does cover the backs of creeks on some reservoirs the are not on the newer chips for some reason. The software is aged some, though ample for most applications.Last edited by Bass Cat Boats on February 26th, 2009, 1:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I just installed a HB 997 unit on my PIV. I do have some wiring experience from my days of racing cars but by no means am I a expert. The hard part is going to be running the transducer and power wires . If you have a factory installed unit already on your boat it will make it easier because you can tape something onto your existing wires and when you pull them out you can use whatever you taped to pull the new ones back through. Just be careful and take your time. Also, if you will pull the chrome vent off the back on the drivers side it gives you a place you can work from. The actual wiring is pretty straight foward. Again, if you try it just take your time and the directions are pretty good also. If you have someone you trust, a extra pair of hands can really come in handy. I guess it took us a couple of hours total. I bought the splitter cable and mounted a transducer in the sump. I took the time to really clean the bilge area and take the extra transducers out before installing the new one but you could just leave them. As for the head unit, what I did was to plate my dash and use the supplied bracket. It makes it a lot easier to remove if I want to take the unit off while traveling.
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