Highest Rated Fishfinders
1Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP G2
4.8/5
2Lowrance HDS 7 Gen3
4.7/5
3Garmin Striker 7sv
4.6/5
4Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 73sv
4.6/5
5Raymarine Dragonfly 7 PRO
4.4/5

Humminbird 798ci HD SI Review

Rating
2.8/5
 
Humminbird 798ci HD SI has an average rating of 2.8 out of 5 based on 5 user reviews.

humminbird_798

VendorPrice
ISave$949.99

The Humminbird 798ci HD SI offers the high tech features that you need to make the most of your fishing excursion. With 4000w of PTP power output and a user-friendly interface and menu, this fishfinder is ideal for the angler of any skill level. Don’t miss a minute of the action with instant image updates. Take a screen snapshot and send it directly to the memory card so that you can save data as you encounter it. You can even save your favorite views with three programmable buttons available for the job.

Down Imaging on the 798ci HD SI takes you directly beneath the boat to see fish, structures and the bottom in crystal clear detail. View below the surface up to 100ft deep. With Side Imaging, your view expands to 240ft to the left and right. Sonar snapshots are taken of the area below and to the side. They are then combined to offer you a detailed 180 degree picture of the bottom. You can easily mark the GPS location of structure and gain an accurate representation of where to drop your line.

Take advantage of the DualBeam Plus Sonar to expand your coverage using both the narrow and wide beams. Combine them together and gain highly accurate returns in depths of 1500ft. Alter the returns based on fishing and water conditions using Switchfire technology. Choose to display detailed returns or only the fish and structures. With a 640 X 640 resolution display on a 5” color screen, your returns will come to life before your eyes.

The screen on the 798ci is one of the best in the 5″ display market. The key to the display is the use of 640 x 640 pixels. By using that many pixels the fishfinder has exceptional brightness, clarity and color. One of the advantages of such a clear resolution is that when zoomed in maps and sonar images are very sharp. Another nice screen feature is the ability to view sonar images and maps at the same time. One of my favorite uses of that ability is to use lake maps and the GPS to get into my fishing spot and using the side view sonar at the same time to find my favorite structure on the bottom. You can get a great deal on Humminbird 798ci HD SI here.

 
 
 Lowrance HDS-7Humminbird 798ci SIHumminbird 858c DI
lowrance_hds7gen2humminbird_798hum585cdi
Screen Size6.4 in / 163 mm5 in / 127 mm7 in
Screen Resolution480 x 640 pixels640 x 640 pixels480 x 800 pixels
Display Type16-bit color Full VGA SolarMAX PLUS TFT256 Color TFT16:9 Color TFT
Imaging2D2D and Side Imaging2D and Down Imaging
Transducer TypeTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling Motor
Transmit PowerMax 250W Broadband, analog equivalent 30000W and 32W Broadband, analog equivalent 3750W500W RMS
4000W Peak-to-Peak
500W RMS
4000W Peak-To-Peak
Sonar Frequency50/83/200 kHz83/200 kHz 2D
455 kHz Side Imaging
200/455 kHz 2D
455/800 kHz Down Imaging
Maximum Depth5000 ft / 1524 m1500 ft 2D
100 ft Side Imaging
600 ft 2D
250 ft Down Imaging
GPS Antenna TypeInternal, high-sensitivity GPS+WAASInternalInternal
Waypoint Storage500025003000
Routes2005050
Plot TrailsUp to 10 trails - up to 12,000 points/trail50 w/20,000 points each50 w/20,000 points each
Background MapExpanded U.S. BaseMap or Insight USAHumminbird ContourXDHumminbird Contour XD
MSRP$1119.99$1109.99$1199.99
ReviewsReviewsReviews

One of the nicest features of the 798ci is that there are two sd card slots. When using a loaded map pack there are two choices Navionics and LakeMaster. Since there are two different card slots both of the map packs can be connected at the same time. When starting up you need to select which you would like to use, having that option is nice in situations when one map pack has better information on a particular area. Another feature is the i-pilot, which turns a trolling motor into an autopilot that is precise enough to follow contour lines on lake maps. Humminbirds Cannon link lets the fishfinder connect to the compatible Cannon downriggers. The Cannon link allows for auto adjustments that will adjust the depth based on how deep the water is and can follow bottom contours. Another feature is the internal GPS antenna, which saves buying and installing an exterior antenna. One of the drawbacks is that the 798ci is not NMEA 2000 compatible, however there is no shortage of connectivity without NMEA.

The sonar on the 798ci has many options. There are three different modes that are used the first is side view sonar, second is the sounder and third is the 200 and 83 kHz DualBeam Plus. The first is one of the main attractions to the 798ci, the ability to see ultra clear side view images. The side view uses 455kHz, which works to 100 ft deep, and gives a 180 degree coverage under the boat. By using such a high frequency the images that are displayed are extremely detailed. Humminbird uses 200 and 83 kHz, which are good settings for both shallow and deep water. The 83kHz beam is used for sonar images up to 1,500 feet deep. When in shallower depths the 200 kHz allows for a crisper and more detailed image. The addition of Switchfire allows for precise calibration, along with a user friendly interface while adjusting sonar returns for many factors such as rough water and water temperature. One of the best features which was introduced in 2012 is the 360 degree imaging. By using a transducer which is not mounted on the transom, but instead dropped below via a pole images are rendered underneath the entire boat. The clarity is impressive, along with the viewing since now the sonar picture includes area forward of the transom.

User Reviews

Posted by Bruno Landon

  • 4/5
4

The essential components of Humminbird 798ci hd si are sonar, a transducer for control of the sonar, receiving unit with a display screen, and all navigational aids and other accessories for viewing, mapping and recording. The sonar can operate at a depth of 1500 ft. and it can reach within 2.5 inches from target fish, which enables it to send images very clear high definition images to be described in the viewing screen.
The 798ci hd si has a wide viewing and using all of 500watts and a peak of 4KW frequency. It has equipment with memory of 3000 waypoints and 50 routes. The sonar operates at 2 frequencies of 83 kHz and 200 kHz. It can sense and transmit any sound in excess of 10db on both the frequencies. Side and down imaging operation take at a frequency of 455 kHz, at a maximum depth of 100ft and an angular coverage of 86degrees for a sonar level in excess of 10db. The side and down imaging has a total coverage of 180 degrees.

The Humminbird 798ci hd si comes with Navionics feature. The GPS coming with the fishfinder gives the angular a clear idea about the location and you can decide whether the correct path has been chosen. The GPS provides the necessary data for chart plotting. It has built in contour hd Xd map. Using a fishfinder the boat has advanced fishing facilities. There is provision for saving way points and slots for maps. The entire equipment carries a warranty for trouble free operation, against any manufacturing defects or any defective materials used in manufacturing.

Posted by S. E. Bishop

  • 4/5
4

The sonar in this unit is outstanding. It let you see 60ft wide area on both sides of the boat, you can set it wider but then you won’t be able to see the detail. GPS works fine but you have to make sure your area is covered by the default maps. If your area is not covered (mine wasn’t) you’ll have to buy a Navionics SD card.

Posted by Ryan W.

  • 1/5
1

I do not recommend buying this unit. From the very beginning I I kept having problems with the GPS, it would just display a circle. Humminbird techs told me to update the software which I did. I after that the sonar stopped working, it would show depth of 2 feet when the actual depth was 160 feet. Humminbird is sending me a new transducer but I don’t think that’s going to solve the problem.

Posted by J. Bready

  • 4/5
4

The humminbird 798ciHD is a fantastic side-scan unit for beginners. It comes with a lot of features like 2 card slots and onboard GPS. The unit preforms well for normal sonar, down-scan, and side-scan. Two things I would change are the side-scan display window, which is too small for detail, and load it with better maps out of the box. Luckily you can buy a Navionics card for it and get some good topo maps.

Posted by Roger Ledford

  • 1/5
1

I am very disgusted with this unit. It has never worked properly since i have owned it. I sent it back due to malfunctions. They returned it and it still does not work properly. Continuos freeze ups. Cannot reboot without taking it completely off and putting it back. I go fishing with a friend rather than using my boat and this depth finder! I will never buy another humminbird product!

Submit Your Review

Rating

Current day month ye@r *