Posts: 14,356
Threads: 183
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Think I'm starting to narrow my search for a new finder down to this one... But I need some of your thoughts if you have this FF... Seen it for sale at $399 have any of you seen it for a better price anywhere? Have you had any problems with this unit? Will this one work well for finding baitfish vs game fish, can you see your jigs on it well? How fast is it's response time? Can you see fish taking your jig and know when it will hit? What's your overall thoughts? Is it a good finder? Appreciate any input you might have, there are so many different models it's crazy, but this one has down image, regular finder with 20 deg and 60 deg sensors, it has a GPS that is supposed to be pretty good and the display is supposed to be bright and clear and easy to see all times of the day... If any of this isn't true let me know? I'd prefer to find it a little cheaper, but for these capabilities I don't know if that will happen...Thanks for the help.... J
[signature]
Posts: 2,396
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2006
Reputation:
0
Nice fish finder, Over the summer I picked up a Lowrance elite-5 DSI which has a the similar Down Scan Imaging technology.
While I don't know much about the Hummingbird if Down Imaging the Hummingbird has is anything like Lowrances DSI that is some impressive tech.
No interpreting lines like original fish finders you get x-ray looking image of what its seeing. For example if there structure under you get a image of trees or bush or logs its pretty cool
[signature]
Posts: 858
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2006
Reputation:
0
I recently purchased the Humminbird 788 ci HD DI.
This fish finder is awesome. Yes you can see your jiged spoons, bait rigs and tell the difference from bait fish and game fish.
Simple to use, has a compass with way points and easy navigation back to those points.
$429.99
I paid $600 with a lake map included.
http://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-408130-...B0042SV8GG[/url]
[signature]
Posts: 14,356
Threads: 183
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
I've always been a Lowrance guy myself and I ran into the Hummingbird rep at Sportsman's Warehouse and after a long discussion he sort of swayed me to give their tech a try... I'm hoping that will be a good choice, that's part of the reason why I wanted to hear what real fishermen and women think of this finder... Somehow the reviews you find on line are from boaters and once a year fishermen that probably don't know their tech very well and yet their bad reports can make you question a product that may actually be a great tool... So I'm hoping to hear from people that have used this graph and can tell me how it works in Utah on our ponds... And if it has problems please let me know I can't afford that level of mistake... Thanks for the input on the Lowrance, it's always still in the hunt for me, since I am somewhat subject to brand favorites... Catch ya later J
[signature]
Posts: 14,356
Threads: 183
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Thanks for the review, now back to my confusion, your model is the 7" screen and what does the 88 represent, because the ci HD DI should be the features that both finders have in common like GPS, high definition and down imaging... Right? Everytime I start to think I'm figuring out their system of identifying their finders I just realize I'm  again... That was a great price for a 7" model, they are usually well over $500.... Anyway, glad you like your finder and thanks for the good report... Later J
[signature]
Posts: 2,396
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2006
Reputation:
0
Only other advise I could say is buy it at a reputable place that has a no question return policy. Sportmans has been pretty good for me I've return a few items and they have refunded me completely without hassle.
On the other hand I do get questioned at Cabelas even jipped once they told me the sale price is lower and can only refund me the sale price [mad]
[signature]
Posts: 14,356
Threads: 183
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
That's great advice. I know on-line can be cheaper, but its sure nice to have a local vendor if anything goes wrong. Thanks. J
[signature]
Posts: 2,041
Threads: 180
Joined: Aug 2007
Reputation:
20
I have the older 597 and a 998 di si HBird I would buy one with the two (SDHC) card slots. I love the maps I use both f finders togather
this is a humminbird forum
[url "http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php"]http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php[/url]
[signature]
Posts: 14,356
Threads: 183
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Thanks for those tips. Looks like the forum is side imaging and I'm not rich enough to make that step yet. But thank you for your info. Later J
[signature]
Posts: 858
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2006
Reputation:
0
Humminbird was giving out $50 rebates during the summer. They gave me a debit card with the rebate.
I don't know what the number stand for, mine is a 5" diagonal screen.
[url "http://store.humminbird.com/products/410760/788ci_HD_DI_Combo"]http://store.humminbird.com/products/410760/788ci_HD_DI_Combo[/url]
Maybe the numbers should be for the MSRP $
[signature]
Posts: 14,356
Threads: 183
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Wow now I'm even more about the numbers. Thanks for that info. J
[signature]
Posts: 54
Threads: 0
Joined: Aug 2008
Reputation:
0
Skunked I have a equivalent older model in dash of my Nitro paired with a 9'' on the front deck. I've also been ice fishing with a Humminbird 180 (lower end unit but similar dual beam). With that being said I have really enjoyed the 180 for about the last 5 years ice fishing and it was time to upgrade and I wanted GPS so a flasher wasn't a option. One really great feature other than saving weigh points/gps is the ability to plug in the new Wester Lake Master Charts, that feature made the decision easy for me to go with the 597 ci HD DI. http://store.lakemap.com/media/document/...1_2014.pdf
So I can mark spots in my boat and transfer them to my ICE unit and vise versa. I ordered mine from Marine General for $419 w/ free shipping and a jet boil rebate (which is a great thing to have and I needed a new one, $100 value).
I would also recommend using the RTS window. A Real Time Sonar (RTS®) Window appears on the right side of the display in the Sonar View only. The RTS® Window always updates at the fastest rate possible and shows only the returns from the bottom, structure, and fish that are within the transducer beam. The RTS® window can be displayed as narrow (standard), wide, or off.
Hope this helps
[signature]
Posts: 208
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2011
Reputation:
0
This summer I purchased the Lowrance Elite 5 DSI and love love this unit. I don't know anything about the humminbird 597 but the Lowrance is a great unit.
[signature]
Posts: 14,356
Threads: 183
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
NICH that was very helpful, sounds like it must be an alright finder. Thank you. J
[signature]
Posts: 14,356
Threads: 183
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
I think I have a date with Sportsmans to look at these two finders side by side. Does that Lowrance model have GPS as well? Thanks for the input. J
[signature]
Posts: 54
Threads: 0
Joined: Aug 2008
Reputation:
0
You're welcome I'm excited to get mine. I also have a new Nils 6'' cordless drill/hand auger combo coming from them. Bring on the hard freeze I almost ready to button up the boat for the year.
Also if you worried about the sensitivity and seeing you jig and or panfish don't worry you'll be able to, my 180 can pick up the smallest stuff I fish.
[signature]
Posts: 208
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2011
Reputation:
0
Yes, it has GPS and DSI scan. Shop for the best price, I got mine at Smith & Edwards for $399
[signature]
Posts: 14,356
Threads: 183
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
This cold air and wind might bring on your freeze. It sounds like Santa has already found you so you'll have a great ice season. I just want to make sure a new finder will be an upgrade from what I have. My X-71 will pick up my jigs if I crank up the sensitivity, but then I get a lot of false readings at that setting. So I'd like one that sees small stuff but let's you tell moss from fish. If you know what I mean? It's fun to dream about new stuff anyway. Thanks J
[signature]
Posts: 14,356
Threads: 183
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Great that sounds like these two are very comparable units. Now I know which models to look at. Thanks for the help. J
[signature]
Posts: 54
Threads: 0
Joined: Aug 2008
Reputation:
0
I don't know how usable any sort of down imaging will be on the ice since you have to be moving/scanning (usually at least 1.5MPH).
[signature]
|
