Humminbird SI Vs 3D

tonyrr · 11-06-2009, 06:49 AM

I am in the process of upgrading from my older Matrix unit to something with proper chartplotting (perhaps the 997cSI or 967c 3D Combo??), and need help in understanding the difference in performance between Side Imaging and 3D.

Boat is a displacement hull (slow speed), mostly shallow fresh water use (less than 50 feet depth).

Anyone with experience with either of these?

Regards, Tony.

madkate88 · 11-06-2009, 07:03 AM

Side imaging is an actual under water picture, it is amazing technology. The only draw back is that the boat has to be going slowly for it to work properly. But if you are looking for little hidden spots like rock piles, isolated wood etc. the side imaging cant be beat.

Rolngthun · 11-06-2009, 01:43 PM

I am thinking you should hold on until after the new year starts. It appears to me, by what is being liquidated the 3D stuff is either being upgraded or discontinued. I do not know this for sure. I am making this assumption on the stuff I have been seeing selling at very low marked down prices. Like the 900 series chart plotters that are being upgraded to high speed processors. But if the 900 series 3D unit is what your interested in, they are selling darn cheap right now on E-bay.

mattie · 11-06-2009, 04:32 PM

Have had a 967 3d since they came out. I like it and it's not hard to use, but there is a definite learning curve. If you get any of these large displays, I recommend installing as large a battery as you can fit in your boat to serve for your mfd's. They tend to be battery power hogs, and if you have more than one display, you'll be glad to have the extra power.

DoubleG · 11-06-2009, 07:00 PM

I've used both models. The side imaging is better suited for shallow water (under 40').
The majority of time I'm in deeper water so I tried the 3D model. The 3D doesn't give you a picture but instead uses a 3D graph which can be rotated around the boat.

In either case you can put both units into a 2D mode when traveling at higher speeds or in deeper water. I like the 3D better because it actually uses multiple beams. In one of the views you can see a 6 beams in 1 image that lets you determine how the fish are moving.

If I only had 1 GPS/plotter on my boat I'd stick with a standard unit such as my Northstar, but the Humminbird is a redundant system aboard my boat. The only reason why I need the Humminbird is to control the electric cannon downriggers.

I've had the unit serviced last winter because it reported the the transducer wasn't connected. This spring the same problem returned. It has to go back again. I'm just waiting until I winterize the boat.

Hope this helps.
George

tonyrr · 11-06-2009, 07:17 PM

Very helpful comments - thank you all.

I get the impression that the SI technology is newer than the 3D. Is that correct?

The power consumption warning is interesting, and relevent in my case since my 50 h.p. does not generate many spare amps. I have two separate circuits, one connected to the engine of course, and the other a solar panel charging a large deep-cycle battery (for general "house" use). It seems to me that one way to go might be to get a second battery for the house circuit, and run a chartplotter off that. If the chartplotter amps load ran down one of the batteries on the house circuit, it really would not matter too much in most circumstances.

Regards, Tony.

pastaman1234 · 11-06-2009, 08:12 PM

If you want the latest and greatest dont buy humminbird right now. In 2010 all new models are coming out. The 900 series and 1100 series are being discontinued. They are great units and you might want to consider if you are on a budget as the prices are drastically reduce. Dont get the 3d sonar. The SI does the same and much more and down imaging will be added in 2010 as well. The 2010 models will pay a little bit more attention to the plottter and will have a 3d shaded relief type screen similar to the new lowrance hds. I cant wait to see what they look like.

tcopeland · 11-07-2009, 04:50 PM

There are several sites devoted to Hummingbird. Several have HB people answering questions and clearing up the information. Happy googling.

Roper01 · 11-08-2009, 05:50 PM

Double G,

I read with interest your reply on side scan with a 40' depth limitation. Was this with a 500 or 1KW transducer?? What was the result when working in a deeper water column?? WE are considering the SI as an addition to our fleet but need coverage to 100' if possilbe. Your thoughts would be welcome.

pastaman1234 · 11-08-2009, 08:21 PM

Go to the yahoo side imaging forums. You will be pleasantly surprised with some photos or wrecks on that site that will show great detail over 100'. I have never tried that deep but the consesus is that SI doesnt work that well over 150' or in rough water. The tranducer are 50/83/200 for standard 2d sonar and 455/800 for the Side and down imaging. Its a 500 watt transom muont ducer i believe. If you want to go to 1000 watt you will need a shoot thru or thru hull but then you will have 2d only. I hope this helps.