Trying To Get Fish Finder Help Humminbird I Prefer

[Cody Wilson]

Man been saving up my money for a while just want a solid unit. Been looking hard at the 597 switch fire and downward imaging. But that is so much money! Please help if you can or tell how you like downward imaging. Or the garmin I take any advice have tournment in 3 weeks and mine is crap.

[motodmast]

Look on the the digitaloasis.com i got my 998 for ALOT cheeper than anywhere else. and down imaging is really worth it man. I highly suggest to keep saving your money to get it.

[motodmast]

Here it is on the digital oasis for 389. Original price is $450

https://www.thedigitaloasis.com/mobile/home.asp?#page-84

EDIT: that link didnt work. hold on let me get on my computer and post a link that works..

[Cody Wilson]

I check it out!

[Wayne P.]

Down Imaging is better than no Imaging.

 

Side Imaging is a lot better.

 

This is a tree in 2D, DI, and SI.

 

[Wayne P.]

This is a bridge support done with a 597ci HD DI unit

 

[Scott F]

I'm not sold on down imaging without side imaging. This is the information I've found out about down imaging. Please correct me if any of my information is wrong. First of all, it doesn't show fish very well. For it to work properly you have to be moving. It is not very good in water less than 10 feet deep. It does provide a nice picture of objects on the bottom underneath the boat. If you do locate a nice piece of structure, it's hard to tell if it is actually holding any fish. Plus, because you are moving, you must turn the boat around and go back because by the time you see it, you've driven past it. So what it is good for is showing details of things you mark in deeper water that you must mark as a waypoint so you can try and find it again later. Aside from the increased detail on specific objects, what else can it do that regular sonar can't?

[Wayne P.]

Actually DI shows fish better than SI, you just have to be above them.It wil actually show the shape of the fish.

This is a school of bass feeding on a school of baitfish near some brush:

 

 

 

 

All imaging technology takes movement to produce the images. The imaging pulses are thin front to back and wide to the sides. They have to SCAN as the screen scrolls somewhat like a CAT scan at hospitals.

 

The coverage of a DI pulse with a DI unit is about like the 83 kHz frequency for 2D sonar as far as width. That means the amount of bottom covered depends on the depth.

 

ANY LCR sonar technology records the same, when you fully see a subject displayed, you have passed it. All LCR sonar technologies record a single screen pixel row at a time and every row of pixels across the screen from that one is HISTORY. If a subject is not constantly being recorded on the first row of pixels, it is not within the sonar pulse.

Sonar units are not video monitors with video cameras.

 

Humminbird Side Imaging shows to the left and right of the transducer as far as the SI range setting is set to--up to 360' on each side.

In shallow water you can see what is away from under the boat as long as the transducer is not buried in the lake bottom.

 

This screen shot is where I was following a creek channel (on the right) and staying away from it so I wouldn't scare any fish that may be relating to it.

 Note the water depth and the SI range setting (top right and left)

 

[Cody Wilson]

Do 597 DI or should I save up for bigger unit? Are the 5 inch Hd to hard to see if I want it on bracket to turn to see on front of boat? really like the 597 Hd Di but I really have to look them up as you can tell I am new at this. 

[Cody Wilson]

Actually DI shows fish better than SI, you just have to be above them.It wil actually show the shape of the fish.

This is a school of bass feeding on a school of baitfish near some brush:

 

 

 

 

All imaging technology takes movement to produce the images. The imaging pulses are thin front to back and wide to the sides. They have to SCAN as the screen scrolls somewhat like a CAT scan at hospitals.

 

The coverage of a DI pulse with a DI unit is about like the 83 kHz frequency for 2D sonar as far as width. That means the amount of bottom covered depends on the depth.

 

ANY LCR sonar technology records the same, when you fully see a subject displayed, you have passed it. All LCR sonar technologies record a single screen pixel row at a time and every row of pixels across the screen from that one is HISTORY. If a subject is not constantly being recorded on the first row of pixels, it is not within the sonar pulse.

Sonar units are not video monitors with video cameras.

 

Humminbird Side Imaging shows to the left and right of the transducer as far as the SI range setting is set to--up to 360' on each side.

In shallow water you can see what is away from under the boat as long as the transducer is not buried in the lake bottom.

 

This screen shot is where I was following a creek channel (on the right) and staying away from it so I wouldn't scare any fish that may be relating to it.

 Note the water depth and the SI range setting (top right and left)

 

 thats sweet!!!!

[Cody Wilson]

I'm not sold on down imaging without side imaging. This is the information I've found out about down imaging. Please correct me if any of my information is wrong. First of all, it doesn't show fish very well. For it to work properly you have to be moving. It is not very good in water less than 10 feet deep. It does provide a nice picture of objects on the bottom underneath the boat. If you do locate a nice piece of structure, it's hard to tell if it is actually holding any fish. Plus, because you are moving, you must turn the boat around and go back because by the time you see it, you've driven past it. So what it is good for is showing details of things you mark in deeper water that you must mark as a waypoint so you can try and find it again later. Aside from the increased detail on specific objects, what else can it do that regular sonar can't?

 

 

Actually DI shows fish better than SI, you just have to be above them.It wil actually show the shape of the fish.

This is a school of bass feeding on a school of baitfish near some brush:

 

 

 

 

All imaging technology takes movement to produce the images. The imaging pulses are thin front to back and wide to the sides. They have to SCAN as the screen scrolls somewhat like a CAT scan at hospitals.

 

The coverage of a DI pulse with a DI unit is about like the 83 kHz frequency for 2D sonar as far as width. That means the amount of bottom covered depends on the depth.

 

ANY LCR sonar technology records the same, when you fully see a subject displayed, you have passed it. All LCR sonar technologies record a single screen pixel row at a time and every row of pixels across the screen from that one is HISTORY. If a subject is not constantly being recorded on the first row of pixels, it is not within the sonar pulse.

Sonar units are not video monitors with video cameras.

 

Humminbird Side Imaging shows to the left and right of the transducer as far as the SI range setting is set to--up to 360' on each side.

In shallow water you can see what is away from under the boat as long as the transducer is not buried in the lake bottom.

 

This screen shot is where I was following a creek channel (on the right) and staying away from it so I wouldn't scare any fish that may be relating to it.

 Note the water depth and the SI range setting (top right and left)

 

 thats sweet!!!!

 

 

I'm not sold on down imaging without side imaging. This is the information I've found out about down imaging. Please correct me if any of my information is wrong. First of all, it doesn't show fish very well. For it to work properly you have to be moving. It is not very good in water less than 10 feet deep. It does provide a nice picture of objects on the bottom underneath the boat. If you do locate a nice piece of structure, it's hard to tell if it is actually holding any fish. Plus, because you are moving, you must turn the boat around and go back because by the time you see it, you've driven past it. So what it is good for is showing details of things you mark in deeper water that you must mark as a waypoint so you can try and find it again later. Aside from the increased detail on specific objects, what else can it do that regular sonar can't?

good point sir plus save me some $$$ if sonar shows structure just fish it lol

[Cody Wilson]

Whats the best one for the money?

[BuckMaxx]

I appreciate your post I too am looking I want the best for under $600

[Cody Wilson]

Man I hope people will help us out. I been reading reviews for 2 weeks on humminbird and lowrance so people plese help I cant go over 850. I prefer 600

[Scott F]

I just bought the Lowrance Elite 5. I got it with a $100 rebate which expired on April 7. I chose it mainly because The map chips are cheaper. The Fishing Hot Spots map chip which has 6000 lakes and covers the entire US is only $99. Maps for the Humminbird are considerably more expensive AND only cover specific regions. If you only fish one state, or only within one region, it's not as bad.

[slonezp]

Man I hope people will help us out. I been reading reviews for 2 weeks on humminbird and lowrance so people plese help I cant go over 850. I prefer 600

It's like Ford vs Chevy. Take your pick. Find one with the features you want and pull the trigger. If you search online, you can get much better deals than buying from BPS or Cabelas. HB has rebates right now. After all is said and done, you should be able to get an Humminbird 898c HD DI  or a 798c HD SI for around the $850

 

IMO the HB unit is more user friendly.

[BassinB]

Lowrance elite 7hdi is a great unit in that price range as well...you get a 7" widescreen as well as gps, 2d sonar, and DI

[BuckMaxx]

I have been looking on Ebay at humminbird for the last hour the prices seem way below normal retailers. I am thinking of ordering mine off there? Anyone have any input?

[slonezp]

BuckMaxx sent you a PM

[BuckMaxx]

Thanks!! I appreciate it. I will look into them.

[Cody Wilson]

Do you recommend from eBay? or Amazon

[Cody Wilson]

Which Lowrance has good gps and fish finder so confusing. I want HDS 5 GEN 2! I prefer the 5 in my price range please help!!!!!

[Wayne P.]

Which Lowrance has good gps and fish finder so confusing. I want HDS 5 GEN 2! I prefer the 5 in my price range please help!!!!!

You answered your own question with your preference.

[Comfortably Numb]

UM is best prices on HB. PM me if you want the full name and rebate details.

 

I just ordered a Raymarine Dragonfly. Looks really good if you dont need Si. PM me if you want to know cheapest deal on them. (under $600)

 

I have no affiliation with either place.

[scrutch]

You want good customer service? You can't beat Humminbird. Easy to update the software, easy to install maps (just plug it in!), more user friendly. Good quality units. Check into used units too. Check here first of course. Don't buy from anyone with a couple posts. Do your research and buyer beware. That said, I have bought a HB 1197, and a HB 1198 NIB private sale online with no problems. I saved $1000 on one unit, $700 on the other.