Humminbird 987c side imaging

[jetman1422]

I was offered a 987c Humminbird side imaging for $1k. Is that reasonable, and is it a good unit? The only thing that bothers me is that you can't see what is directly under the boat.
Thanks

[ziemann]

The 987 was the earliest version of the SI units- the 987 and 981 were sold for one year prior to the 997 being released. The 987 has a slightly smaller screen than the 997.

You can see directly beneath the boat. If you do a split screen (side image & regular tranducer view) you can see both easily. I run this most of the time and switch between views as needed. I use the presets at the top to pre-select the views that I want on the screen. Usually regular sonar, side imaging, then split screen are the 3 that I pre-set.

Make sure you update the software on the 987. I believe the current version is 4.18 for 987. With the software update, it is a really stable unit.

If the unit is in really good shape, I would consider it for $1000- given the price of a new unit. I still find it hard to swallow- I only paid $999 for my 981 side imager when it was new....that was a great deal at the time. I have used it now for 3 seasons...

[reddog]

You can see everything that is below the boat, in 2D sonar. The SI sonar beam goes down at a 87 degree angle directly belwo the boat, so you are only missing 6 degrees of bottom in the SI, the rest is covered by the conventional 2D sonar.




I asked this same question to a Humminbird rep this week, and got this answer.

Smaller screen than a 997...... but larger than a 798,

The screen doesnt have the same coatings as the 997, and will be harder to read than a 997 because of it. I dont know exactly what the difference will be, but thats what he told me.

Both have two SI frequencies, 997: 455 and 800 and the 987 has 262 and 455.

Both units have two 2D sonar frequencies. 997 83 and 200 and the 987 has 50 and 200.

obviously, the 997 is an improved model, but the 987 is/was very good also.

Operating manuals are online at humminbird.com

You can ask more questions about the 987 at:

This is a 987 forum,

http://www.xumba.scholleco.com/viewforum.php?f=7