Humminbird 997c SI Combo NVB Color Fish Finder and GPS Chartplotter, pre-loaded with Navionics Gold and Hotmaps
December 31, 2009 by GetFishing
Filed under Buy Fishing Gear
Amazon.com Product Description
The 997c SI Combo uses revolutionary 800 kHz side-imaging sonar with 180-degree coverage to 360 feet to either side and 150 feet down, as well as DualBeam PLUS sonar with 20- and 60-degree beams for both wider coverage and better bottom definition down to 1,500 feet. This unit includes accelerated real-time sonar and echo enhancement technology for the instant capture of action and the sensitivity to track a jig to over 70 feet, with a target separation of 2.5 inches. The 997c also has an external, 16-channel WAAS/EGNOS GPS receiver, and a built-in UniMap of USA inland lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. This unit’s high-speed, micro-dynamic transducer is reliable to 70 mph, and includes water temperature and GPS speed.
The 997c has a brilliant 8-inch TFT LCD screen with 480 x 800 lines of resolution in full color for enhanced separation, and an adjustable backlight. This unit features dual microprocessors and a graphics co-processor for fast, smooth operation, networking capability, and chart recording to SD card with on-screen playback. The 997c SI Combo NVB (Navionics Value Bundle) also features programmable view presets, dual memory card expansion slots, plug-and-play compatibility with tons of upgrade accessories, and comes pre-loaded with Navionics Gold and HotMaps yet remains easy to operate.
The 997c includes a one-touch multi-level zoom, programmable view presets, and X-Press Menus for quickly accessing important controls. This fish finder features both fresh and saltwater options, instant update to immediately show setting changes, full screen and 3D chartplotter, and Freeze Frame to pause the display, as well as a man-overboard function to track back to that most important of spots.
The 997c comes with a transom mount transducer, and a tilt-and-swivel, quick-disconnect mount system, for Gimbal or in-dash mounting. This unit measures 11.25 x 6.75 x 4.25 inches (W x H x D) as a Gimbal mount, or when in-dash mounted requires three inches of clearance. For upgrades, this system is compatible with multiple other transducers for more powerful performance. The Humminbird 997c SI Combo is fully gasketed and waterproof so it floats, and is backed by a manufacturer’s one-year warranty.
What’s in the Box
Humminbird 997c SI Combo fish finder and GPS chartplotter, transducer with connecting cable, mounting hardware, user’s manual and warranty information.


This Side Imaging sonar is everything it claims to be. It is great. I put it on a Ram Mount so that I could see it both from the drivers seat or front of the boat while bass fishing. If you need help finding good fishing structure, this is the only tool you need. If you know some structure exists, but can’t find it with a downlooking sonar, this unit will find your structure. I love it. Great Price, Shipped Fast, Works Perfect. Look up once in a while to see where everyone else is at on the lake, you can get mesmerized with it.
I purchased one of the very first 997C units. I waited six months for the release. I have also purchased two of the Cannon Mag20 DT’s that can be controlled by the 997C.
The head unit has been back to the factory twice and both of the Mag20 DT’s have been back to the factory. I have had to take the boat apart twice to install a new transducer and then to install a new connecting cable between the two Mag20′s. All of this has taken over a year. The last component that the factory had me replace was the CannonLink. The system still does not work and the factory is stumped. I have been waiting over three weeks for them to get back to me with what they want to try next.
I do believe that if everything worked it would be a great fishing package, but with all of the frustrations I have experienced I am about ready to junk the system and try something else.
PS. I have over $4,000 invested in this system.
Product arrived in a timely manner and was in good shape. Product functions as decribed.