TBH Fishermen - Side Imaging vs. Down Imaging

[Katch66]

I am looking to purchase a new sonar and was wanting info on the positives of both SI and DI sonar. Would be used in freshwater and primarily fish for crappie, catfish, hybrids. Thanks in advance.

[BrandonA]

Most Units have both. To maximize its effectiveness get the largest screen you can afford.

[Rat]

Down imaging: This is a great upgrade from old school tech, it is basically the same thing but with much more detail. Your old SONAR will show a blob of colors, the DI will show details of the structure much more clearly defined.

Side imaging: Is great for covering more water in a single pass. It will also show you the relative location of each tree. For instance, the tree you see in the DI could be just to the side of the boat (but still in the cone), but the SI will show which side of the boat the structure is on.

Me personally, if you could only get on of these techs; it would be the SI. Just because you can also use the traditional 2D with the unit (all have this function). So you really have a regular 2D unit to see what's right under you, and a 3D unit that is SI to help you see more water; all in one system.

Just get both, they are awesome.

[Eagle19]

I would take side imaging over down any day. Crappie catfish and hybrids all hang out around structures and creek beds. The side imaging lets you cover more water in a shorter time, as well as find more stumps and creeks with more clarity.

Good news is most have both! Lowrance has an affordable 9" for like $1000. All the other seem to be a couple $1000.

[BrandonA]

Down imaging: This is a great upgrade from old school tech, it is basically the same thing but with much more detail. Your old SONAR will show a blob of colors, the DI will show details of the structure much more clearly defined.

Side imaging: Is great for covering more water in a single pass. It will also show you the relative location of each tree. For instance, the tree you see in the DI could be just to the side of the boat (but still in the cone), but the SI will show which side of the boat the structure is on.

Me personally, if you could only get on of these techs; it would be the SI. Just because you can also use the traditional 2D with the unit (all have this function). So you really have a regular 2D unit to see what's right under you, and a 3D unit that is SI to help you see more water; all in one system.

Just get both, they are awesome.

Learn to read a 2D sonar or get a good one and you can tell what kind of of fish those blobs are. I fish more with my 2D and Navionics map than I do with the Down/Side Scan. Neat tool but in my Opinion it won't replace the 2D or Map for finding and catching fish.

[boh347]

They both serve a purpose, typically I'll use navionics and side imagining to find a large school/structure to fish. Then I'll put on chirp and down scan to pinpoint.

[boh347]

Bass pro and eBay both have refurbished lowrance elite 7 unites on the cheap. That's what I bought.

[Slew]

I use side imaging on the console on an HDS 12 run across the bottom half of the screen to give me the biggest picture and GPS map on top. I just use 2D and GPS mapping on the bow. DI is nice to have but its never gonna show you what SI will. SI has cut down my fishing unproductive waters and helped me find new spots immensely.


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[boh347]

[hittman]

I use SI more, but DI has it's place and can give you very good detail of the tree/brush pile below you. SI is great for finding structure and cover that you didn't drive directly over.

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[BowSlayer]

I use side imaging on the console on an HDS 12 run across the bottom half of the screen to give me the biggest picture and GPS map on top. I just use 2D and GPS mapping on the bow. DI is nice to have but its never gonna show you what SI will. SI has cut down my fishing unproductive waters and helped me find new spots immensely.


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I don't believe you. I'm going to need a demonstration.

[red-fin]

Gander Mountain has Humminbird 698ci HD SI for $349.00, then there is a $75 rebate from HB and a $75 rebate from GM, makes it $200.00. its small but cant beat that deal. I purchased 2 of them.

[adam_p]

I don't use DI much, and typically when I do I have it on split screen with 2d. I use side image all the time.

[TX_Kevin]

If I were to choose, I'd choose side imaging. I once chose down imaging only, and have since corrected that. I will split the screen up front so that I have both down and side. Kind of solves that issue.

[Katch66]

Thanks for the responses guys. I did some research online but wanted to hear from some of y'all.