Side Imaging Sonar

[eiderz]

Anybody used side imaging sonar for icefishing? I saw one post two years ago with a screenshot picture, nothing since. Thinking about the Humminbird 898 HD SI unit. Plan to mount the transducer on a PVC conduit pole with a "T" at the top, attach the pole vertically in a sliding mount on a sled, drop it down a hole and spin it around for a 360 degree look-see. The unit has down imaging as well, hoping it will pay off in finding structure and schooled fish without drilling too many holes. I know that the unit will work from a stationary position, such as an anchored boat, so that doesn't seem to be a problem.

One big question is whether the unit will function in the cold. Also heard from one open water fishermen that some units eat 12 volt deep cycles for lunch, can anybody confirm that? The open water guys are in awe of the display on their units, can't say enough good except for the battery life issue. Any insight into the ice fishing use of the technology would be appreciated.

[Doubles Shooter]

It's my understanding you have to be moving for the side scan to work properly. Let us know if you get it to work.

[eiderz]

It's my understanding you have to be moving for the side scan to work properly. Let us know if you get it to work.

A friend who has used it in a boat says it works when the boat is at anchor. Obviously the screen shot remains static but you can see fish swim in and out of the picture.

My plan is to mount the transducer so it can be rotated slowly, creating the illusion of linear motion. By knowing the orientation of the transducer to the "T" handle, the direction to the fish or structure can easily be determined. Or mark them on-screen and use the gps feature to close in for the kill! 

I am confident that the picture will be usefull, but I have concerns about the low temperatures in which the unit would be required to operate. I have searched the Humminbird website and don't see max/min temp range for the units. If noone has the answer I will have to call the company but was hoping for info based on user experience.

[Dave W]

Cold temperatures should not be a concern for the screen or the battery.  Screen brightness and having the GPS enabled will be your biggest drains on the battery.

The other poster is correct, you need to be moving to get a clear picture with side imaging or down imaging.  If you're not moving you will still get images on the screen, but they will be extremely stretched out and not clear at all and hard (if not impossible) to interpret.  If you spend some time using it you might start to learn to interpret what you're seeing on the screen, but in all honesty I am pretty skeptical.

One other thing .... side imaging is great at finding structure.  It will find and mark fish too, but that is not what it excels at.  You commented that you want to use it to look around for fish, then mark their location on the GPS and go after them ....... again in all honesty, I am pretty skeptical.

Good luck, maybe you can get it to work out.

[eiderz]

Sounds like I'm in for a bit of a science project. Worst case, I mount the thing on my boat next spring. Biggest problem right now, I need some ice to give it a try.

[Fishrmn]

I figure you'll figure it out.  People used to think that a graph wouldn't work on the ice, or when you were at anchor.  Lowrance used to suggest using the SLOWEST chart speed to make the fish echoes look more like arches.  For a graphing fish finder you should use the FASTEST chart speed so your screen refreshes as quickly as the unit is capable of.  Get one on the ice.  Turn it on, and experiment.  I'm sure it will give useful information.  It's just a matter of interpreting it.

[eiderz]

Guinea pigs-I hate Guinea pigs, much less being one!

[Kevin23]

Side imaging needs to be moving or the fish needs to be moving. Ice fishing our fish are pretty stationary and you are working them straight below you, they would need to be swimming past for it to register on the unit.

[eiderz]

BBK,

Planning on using it as a scouting tool not for actual fishing. Have showdowns and a camera for the fishing part.

[stripernut]

As to the "needs to be moving", if you are slowly turning the transducer (the pole it is mounted to) you are moving!

[eiderz]

As to the "needs to be moving", if you are slowly turning the transducer (the pole it is mounted to) you are moving!

That's what I think, the image will just be distorted (larger horizontally) the farther an object is from the transducer.

[Lifeguard]

I think this would be better for ice fishing.

http://www.humminbird.com/360Imaging/

[eiderz]

I think this would be better for ice fishing.

http://www.humminbird.com/360Imaging/

Yup, that's the best technology but it's a $2,000 add-on to the SI platform.