humminbird 797c1

[timddo]

Just looking at a few web sites and have one this sounder/combo. Around 1200 $au delivered. What are your thoughts, it's got side imaging technology. sounder and Chartplotter.

Downfall is temperature in F and Depth in Feet.

Just image going to a beacon, image it and if there's fish, you know where they are. Pretty cool if it works though.

[Sniper]

This model is available here in oz now. Its the international version, so you can change the temp formm F to C and depth to what ever you want. Yes the unit is more expensive, but at least if something goes wrong, you don't have to send it back to the States. I'm going to be purchasing this same unit as soon as I sell my 435 Hornet to go in my new boat. Can't wait.
Cheers
Billyboy

[bushbeachboy]

Nothing wrong with feet anf farenheit. You just need to be an old fart to understand them. In simple terms 3 feet to every metre is close enough for boating purposes (small boats anyway). Farenheit - that's a movie or something isn't it?

[Piscatory Pursuit]

Great unit. I tested its big brother last year, the 981 and the technology really works. It is my understanding that it doesn't do well in deeper water say more than 50 meters but I don't have any proof of that. When you are running at speed you will need to switch it to the conventional finder mode as the picture imaging doesn't work well at more than 10 knots. The only drawback is the screen is too small. The side scan beam can go out out several hundred feet and trying to view that much area on a 5 inch screen is tough. If you can afford it I would go with the 997 and the 10 inch screen.

Do be aware that any dealer in the states that sells you a Humminbird product and ships it overseas is in violation of his dealership contract, so you have to wonder if the dealer is legit. Humminbird, Lowrance, and Eagle all make their US dealers sign an agreement that the dealer will not sell or ship their items to customers overseas. Also be aware that the warranty will not be valid for an Australian customer, even if you ship it back during the warranty period they will not honor it.

If you are totally sold on Humminbird I would buy it in Australia. If not, Garmin, Raymarine, and Furuno all have international warranties and you can get them serviced in Australia. Dealers of these brands in the US can ship these brands overseas with no restrictions from the manufacturer and the warranty is valid.

Hope this helps!

[Fitzy]

Just on the buying fgrom OS. If the units are not C Tick Approved for Oz (which US domestic models aren't I believe). It is illegal to re-sell them. Also could be an issue if any boats catch fire due to electronics catching fire. Insurance companies are catching on. I know there have been a few recalls of electrical items from Australian shelves & boat builders by manufacturers & distributors (both in regular & marine products) that are not C Tick approved.
The potential for liability for not C Tick products was huge.

Buyer beware!!! Ask if the electronic (whatever it is you are getting) you are buying is C Tick approved. If it isnt, dont buy it!

Cheers,

fitzy...

[Nomad62]

Just finished reading the other post on side imaging presenting the possibility that Humminbirds Australian units have a more powerfull transducer than that of the US model, also in this post about the implications of not having a C tick approval........Can anyone confirm these points, i'm sure it would be of interest to quite a few Aus fish members,

Cheers Nomad62