I just got a hummingbird 797ci/side imaging, im having a bit of trouble figuring out what im looking at. Ive watched youtube videos explaining it but its still looking like chinese. Its a small screen to start with so the strips of water on the screen are small. I turned the range down to 60ft which helped some, if im fishing a bank on the right I only use right side and that helps some. Its just a little bit of a learning curve and I thought some of yall who have had it a while could give some advice on how to use it or what to look for, even how to set up the unit. Any help or advice would be appreciated. I just feel like im missing something.

Turn it down to 30 ft.

Why 30ft ben?

You cant see anything with it on 60. I run 10 and 12 inch units and never turn mine above 30 feet when looking for fish. You could see brush and stuff with a greater distance setting if you are looking for structure.

i run mine on about 100ft on 455hz its more for structure than fish i alway mark my structure as way points then pass back with the down scan for a better look. it mainly just helps you find places worth down scanning alot faster

understanding what you are looking for is best explained in a video of a guy folding a sheet of paper, but im having trouble finding it.

Now you guys correct me if I'm wrong...When setting side scan distance, don't you lose some of your distance to first read depth directly under the boat? In other words, if you set your left/right distance to 30' and you are scanning in 10' of water, then your first 10' is scanning depth and you are actually only scanning 20' to the side?

Pretty much

I watched that and thought I had it then I got to the lake and just couldnt fighre out what I was looking at. The only time I was sure what I was looking at is when I passed by the boat launch.

I know nothing about that particular unit. There are times when taking the water off the screen is helpful. I don't remember what that's called and don't know if that unit has that feature. Also helps me to just look at one side too.

In what application is taking the water off the screen helpful?

When I’m just looking for structure or just looking for fish that are holding on structure

I have some structure marked so when I drive by it to check I swap to only showing one side on the screen

10-4

I have side imaging on my Helix 9, I'm still undecided whether I even like it or not. I have used the down imaging & sonar much more than the side imaging. Maybe it will grow on me.