Humminbird 797 Side Imaging Unit

OneMoFish · 09-29-2008, 05:26 PM

Has anyone purchased this unit?

If so, I have one question. Have you had trouble with the trolling motor bracket breaking? It's just two pieces of thin plastic that the hose clamp goes around...

I ordered the bracket from Humminbird and installed it on my trolling motor. After less than one day of use it broke. I called and they sent me another bracket. I installed it and the first day on the water...You guessed it... IT BROKE TOO!!! I was thinking about taking the design and having someone make one similar to it by welding some stainless steel together to make a type of custom bracket.

Any other suggestions?

Tone2129 · 09-29-2008, 05:33 PM

A buddy of mine has one and his bracket has broke, and actually he lost the transducer.

riplip · 09-29-2008, 06:10 PM

OneMo -
Can I ask why you want it on the trolling motor?

I know this question doesn't solve the bigger bracket issue which I hope you get fixed.

Apologies for how long this turned out to be - hopefully there is some helpful information here (again, none of which solves the bracket breaking issue)
I have 2 concerns -
1 -If the bracket is breaking, how soon is it before the actual transducer gets busted? - those particular pucks are not free! In fact they are so pricey my boat mfg installs them high and out of the way on the transom.
And they are much larger than standard sonar pucks - way too easy to bump into logs and rocks (maybe I'm a bad driver).

2 - Have you seen the pics of the trolling motor mounted transducers?
Do you know someone that has one up there? I researched it before I got mine and realized there is no way I'm going to be able to drive in a straight line at a reasonable speed to get good pics from the trolling motor.

Please don't EVER pattern your behavior after mine - definitely get 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinions - so, for what it's worth, I've got a 797si mounted on a ram mount at the console so I can swivel it forward if I want to peak at it while I'm trolling. It has two transducers (si mounted high on the transom and a thru-hull for sonar and depth while on plane). I've got a 787 upfront with GPS and running regular sonar off the trolling motor (my motorguide has a built in puck - and it's a good thing, because I'd be on my 3rd puck by now I'm sure!).
If I get the Intellilink I'll be able to share waypoints between the units.
But the front unit will never get the SI imagery.

You could run 2 pucks from the front unit with Humminbird's new Y-cable designed for doing this - standard sonar strapped to the trolling motor and an SI puck on the transom. You'll just have to know that the brush pile you found is a boat length behind you. If it's external GPS, mount the antenna near the rear and when you hit 'Mark', it'll be on top of the structure.

What I've found - and why I'll never need an SI unit up front - is I get the best picks while the big motor is turned on going between 3 - 6 mph. I can interact with the unit while sitting down with one hand on the wheel and the other pushing buttons - like extending or zooming or switching between views. You'll never be able to do that with a foot on the troller. And you'll never get good pics sitting still - it doesn't work.

Apologies again for the long post - I'm interested to know how the SI works up front in real life.
Let us know.

-Rick
-Omaha
www.hookR2.com

acar555 · 09-29-2008, 11:09 PM

The trolling motor is not the best place for SI to be. It needs movement to create the images and the more stable the platform the better. I run a 997c on my boat and can get decent images around .8-1.0 mph but they are the best in the 2-5 range. Take a look at some images from the SI forum sideimaging : UnOfficial Humminbird Side Imaging Group You will need to sign up as a member to see the pics. Look under photos and SI on trolling motor and judge for yourself. It will work on the trolling motor but you will get much better results have the trans. mounted off the transom.

OneMoFish · 09-30-2008, 02:45 PM

I also have the 997 on the transom with a RAM mount. I also have the 797 and it is mounted on the trolling motor.

The 997 has a metal bracket adapter for the trolling motor. However, I wish the 797 did as well. The bracket for the 997 is not the same size as the 797.

I want one on the trolling motor because of the obvious reasons. Yes, You wont get picture quality readouts...but do you really need that??? In my opinion, NO. After you use the unit for a while you begin to realize what brush piles, rock piles, and etc look like at slower speeds. It still shows the changes in depth. If I need a detailed picture, like which angle the tree is laying, which rock is the biggest on the pile etc...I can start up the big motor and idle back and forth until I can get an optimum readout.

As far as knowing anyone who has one up front, Every professional that is sponsored by Humminbird has them up front. I know it isn't the optimum place for one, but it works better than not having one there.

As far as the one mounted on the transom...I have already broke that one completely off. YES, they are expensive. In fact, they are $233.95 plus tax.

While writing this I think I have come up with a solution. I am gonna run to Lowe's and get a strip of galvanized or stainless steel long enough to run through the bracket. Then use two hose clamps (one on each side) and that should hold it. I know stainless will be better. BUT...not sure if Lowe's has any stainless. Galvanized should work even for rusting. And it should be PRETTY CHEAP. How much could a 1" x 4" x 1/8" strip of galvanized metal cost....maybe $1...

I will let everyone know how it goes.

09-29-2008, 05:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
OneMoFish Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Omaha Posts: 101 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Humminbird 797 Side Imaging Unit Has anyone purchased this unit? If so, I have one question. Have you had trouble with the trolling motor bracket breaking? It's just two pieces of thin plastic that the hose clamp goes around... I ordered the bracket from Humminbird and installed it on my trolling motor. After less than one day of use it broke. I called and they sent me another bracket. I installed it and the first day on the water...You guessed it... IT BROKE TOO!!! I was thinking about taking the design and having someone make one similar to it by welding some stainless steel together to make a type of custom bracket. Any other suggestions?

09-29-2008, 05:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tone2129 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Millard/Lincoln Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	A buddy of mine has one and his bracket has broke, and actually he lost the transducer. __________________ Husker Bass Angler - Events Coordinator Sponsors: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. face="Arial Black"> Triton Boats Sportsmans Haircut Wolf Tackle Supplies Venom Lures THANK YOU!

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09-29-2008, 06:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
riplip Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 106 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OneMo - Can I ask why you want it on the trolling motor? I know this question doesn't solve the bigger bracket issue which I hope you get fixed. Apologies for how long this turned out to be - hopefully there is some helpful information here (again, none of which solves the bracket breaking issue) I have 2 concerns - 1 -If the bracket is breaking, how soon is it before the actual transducer gets busted? - those particular pucks are not free! In fact they are so pricey my boat mfg installs them high and out of the way on the transom. And they are much larger than standard sonar pucks - way too easy to bump into logs and rocks (maybe I'm a bad driver). 2 - Have you seen the pics of the trolling motor mounted transducers? Do you know someone that has one up there? I researched it before I got mine and realized there is no way I'm going to be able to drive in a straight line at a reasonable speed to get good pics from the trolling motor. Please don't EVER pattern your behavior after mine - definitely get 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinions - so, for what it's worth, I've got a 797si mounted on a ram mount at the console so I can swivel it forward if I want to peak at it while I'm trolling. It has two transducers (si mounted high on the transom and a thru-hull for sonar and depth while on plane). I've got a 787 upfront with GPS and running regular sonar off the trolling motor (my motorguide has a built in puck - and it's a good thing, because I'd be on my 3rd puck by now I'm sure!). If I get the Intellilink I'll be able to share waypoints between the units. But the front unit will never get the SI imagery. You could run 2 pucks from the front unit with Humminbird's new Y-cable designed for doing this - standard sonar strapped to the trolling motor and an SI puck on the transom. You'll just have to know that the brush pile you found is a boat length behind you. If it's external GPS, mount the antenna near the rear and when you hit 'Mark', it'll be on top of the structure. What I've found - and why I'll never need an SI unit up front - is I get the best picks while the big motor is turned on going between 3 - 6 mph. I can interact with the unit while sitting down with one hand on the wheel and the other pushing buttons - like extending or zooming or switching between views. You'll never be able to do that with a foot on the troller. And you'll never get good pics sitting still - it doesn't work. Apologies again for the long post - I'm interested to know how the SI works up front in real life. Let us know. -Rick -Omaha www.hookR2.com

09-29-2008, 11:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
acar555 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 54 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The trolling motor is not the best place for SI to be. It needs movement to create the images and the more stable the platform the better. I run a 997c on my boat and can get decent images around .8-1.0 mph but they are the best in the 2-5 range. Take a look at some images from the SI forum sideimaging : UnOfficial Humminbird Side Imaging Group You will need to sign up as a member to see the pics. Look under photos and SI on trolling motor and judge for yourself. It will work on the trolling motor but you will get much better results have the trans. mounted off the transom.

09-30-2008, 02:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
OneMoFish Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Omaha Posts: 101 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I also have the 997 on the transom with a RAM mount. I also have the 797 and it is mounted on the trolling motor. The 997 has a metal bracket adapter for the trolling motor. However, I wish the 797 did as well. The bracket for the 997 is not the same size as the 797. I want one on the trolling motor because of the obvious reasons. Yes, You wont get picture quality readouts...but do you really need that??? In my opinion, NO. After you use the unit for a while you begin to realize what brush piles, rock piles, and etc look like at slower speeds. It still shows the changes in depth. If I need a detailed picture, like which angle the tree is laying, which rock is the biggest on the pile etc...I can start up the big motor and idle back and forth until I can get an optimum readout. As far as knowing anyone who has one up front, Every professional that is sponsored by Humminbird has them up front. I know it isn't the optimum place for one, but it works better than not having one there. As far as the one mounted on the transom...I have already broke that one completely off. YES, they are expensive. In fact, they are $233.95 plus tax. While writing this I think I have come up with a solution. I am gonna run to Lowe's and get a strip of galvanized or stainless steel long enough to run through the bracket. Then use two hose clamps (one on each side) and that should hold it. I know stainless will be better. BUT...not sure if Lowe's has any stainless. Galvanized should work even for rusting. And it should be PRETTY CHEAP. How much could a 1" x 4" x 1/8" strip of galvanized metal cost....maybe $1... I will let everyone know how it goes.