1198 HDSI Transducer. Need Help Tuning

[quastj]

Jason Halfen might be able to give a definitive answer, I'd say that it might be because of some turbulent water coming past from the rib/chine area that you and I both mounted the ducer in back of. I notice that I get a "funny, no way that's right" reading when up on plane at times, but it seems that I get them when there more wave action. I set the depth range at around 22 feet 'cause Bago doesn't go deeper and I know by looking at the display where I'm at and at times the reading digitally might be off for a second or two, but again, that's when I'm up on plane going better than 25 mph. That's just my $.02, I'll wait for Jason't take.

[Jason Halfen]

Those screen captures look pretty good to me. The higher-speed performance is much improved.

Your port side is darker at speed because you have your ducer mounted to starboard of the boat's centerline. Mine is mounted on the port side, and my starboard side image is darker at speed. While you may not be getting a lot of blockage from the lower unit at these speeds, that lower unit does create some turbulent flow that the transducer is being asked to shoot (and listen) through....hence the slightly poorer performance at those speeds.

Two ways to cure this:

1. Spend a day doing small tweaks at the ramp (with the boat on the trailer) and quickly run out for test runs. Keep good notes and hope you don't make things worse.

2. Install a second HDSI on the port side and use the SILR Y cable to split the side image; that darkness will disappear because neither transducer is being asked to shoot (or listen) past the lower unit.

Or, do what I would do with your current placement.....go fishing and enjoy!

(And start thinking about using that brand new 1198 to drive the i-Pilot Link system!!!!)

[scott.keeley]

Jason,
Thanks for the reply back. I might try to make a few little adjustments to see if I can get the turbulance out of the right side of the water colum / Down imaging, just to try to clean things up a little and like you said, try not to make it worse

Been calling all over to try to find the iPilot-Link but most places haven't heard about it or don't know when they will be getting some in stock.

I'm very impressed with the 1198 now that I moved the transducer and appreciate the feedback and pictures from everyone here on Walleye Central. What a great place to learn and share information!!!


Scott

[scott.keeley]

Took the boat out this morning after dropping the ducer down a 1/4 inch. No more turbulence in the water column and the SI/DI is clear and sharp! Really impressed with the images this morning. As a bonus, was able to maintain bottom depth reading over 55mph.

So... I'm taking screen shots of these great images (or so I think) and when I get the rig back on the trailer I pop open the SD card cover to realize my SD card is still in my computer at home...

Thanks everyone for your tips and suggestions on mounting the HDSI transducer. Now I'm extremely satisfied with the performance of the Humminbird 1198!

Scott

[reddog]

Sounds like you found the "sweet spot"! It can be frustrating sometimes doing all the tweaking to optimize the performance, but as youve found out, its worth the effort. Plus, now you know that the transducer will perform, so when it gets slightly out of adjustment at times, youll know what to do..

If you ever get to Okoboji, gimme a PM.

[Jason Halfen]

Originally Posted by scott.keeley

Took the boat out this morning after dropping the ducer down a 1/4 inch. No more turbulence in the water column and the SI/DI is clear and sharp! Really impressed with the images this morning. As a bonus, was able to maintain bottom depth reading over 55mph.

So... I'm taking screen shots of these great images (or so I think) and when I get the rig back on the trailer I pop open the SD card cover to realize my SD card is still in my computer at home...

Thanks everyone for your tips and suggestions on mounting the HDSI transducer. Now I'm extremely satisfied with the performance of the Humminbird 1198!

Scott

Terrific. This is a great example of the importance of the proper time investment in mounting a Side Imaging transducer.

Enjoy your new 1198, and be sure to post some new screen captures so other users can see the before and after pics!

[scott.keeley]

You should have seen the look on my face when I opened the cover to the SD card slots! I dare to bet I looked sick...

Rip rap jetty, suspended fish, 2D at 55.6 mph, marker buoy chain, balls of bait fish, it's amazing to say the least!

Now that the HDSI ducer is dialed in, I need to work on fine tuning the settings for various conditions, depths, ranges and applications. An auto sensitivity setting for SI-DI would be nice (hopefully in the next update) but I'll start with the defaults and go from there. Been looking at Jason's, quastj and REDDOG's images and now i need to start building a "settings log" as I spend time on the water.

I'll get some pictures posted when i get out next week to close the loop on this thread. Hopefully other new HDSI users will have a good place to start especially when mounting on a 620 Ranger as there was little info available when I started.

Thanks again everyone. Now, for the iPilot link

Scott

[Further North]

Scott, here's a Yahoo group that is specific to SI. It can work both as a site you can visit, or it can deliver daily e-mails (I go with this because you never know when a problem someone else is having will trigger a thought to improve your own knowledge or installation):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaginggroup/

Look in the "files" section for some great tips on the settings you'll need.

There is a ton of good stuff here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...5&feature=plcp

More here: http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php

...and more here: http://www.xumba.scholleco.com/index...4f3f6c229fe6ff

Jason's advice is spot on though: Go play with it on the water. Best to leave the fishing gear at home and just focus on the new 'Bird for a few hours, you'll achieve a much steeper learning curve that way and learn in one day what would take several fishing trips.

[10lbwalleye]

Scott, i havent installed that shoot thru 2D yet and am deciding if i want to lower my ducers as you did. Issue i have is my boat sits 4" forward on the bunks. I see yours is flush or close to it. Any chance you could measure from center of your hitch to the front edge of your winch bracket sometime if you happen to have a tape measure on you, or let me know what holes your winch is in? i'm thinking mine may sit to far forward, as it can be a pain to load without totally burrying the tops of the fenders. If i have to cut the bunks i will just pull the shoot thru wires and go that route. I have great SI/DI readings while fishing/trolling just after the high speed depth reading anyway. If you are too busy i understand and can call a dealer or something. since we have the same year hull was just interested in where your boat sets on the trailer.

Thanks!!

[scott.keeley]

I didn't pull a measurement but it looks like mine is in the middle position as there is one open hole in front and behind the mounting bracket. Could cause a problem if I came into the trailer a little too fast (would hit the ducer if I rolled up the roller).

I usually have 4-6 inches of the top of my fenders above the water when loading.

Anyone have their 620 on the trailer with the winch post mounted on the far back position? Or is the trailer the same and the winch post positions for the 619, 620 and 621???

Here are a couple of pictures of how the mounting bracket is situated on my trailer.


Scott