I Need Opinions On A Gps/fishfinder Combo

[Christian M]

I recently purchased a 17' Tracker Pro Team. It has everything I need except for a deck mounted Fishfinder. There is a humminbird in the console that I plan to upgrade later on. My TM broke down so I had to purchase a new circuit board, which put a dent in my Fishfinder budget. Long story short, the two units I've narrowed down to on my budget are

 

Humminbird 581i HD/GPS Combo- Larger Screen, Higher Resolution, Black & White, which I really don't mind, but do understand is close to obsolete...$300 w/upgrade capabilities

 

Lowrance Elite 5-X DSI- Color HD Sonar, larger screen & good resolution. $300 not many other features

 

As I said, I don't mind the B&W screen on the Humminbird, it is more convenient for me as I already have the TM transducer mount & it is GPS compatable w/my Powerdrive.

 

I do like the Lowrance Elite 5-X, but it is very limited as far as options go.

 

I plan to go buy the Humminbird tomorrow am, opinions please, am I making the right choice?

 

 

[Wayne P.]

The Lowrance DSI unit is DOWN SCAN ONLY.

 

"GPS compatable w/my Powerdrive." What does that mean???

 

The 581 is not "compatable" with anything.

As far as I know, the whole model name is 581i HD DI Combo which is a 2D and Down Imaging unit with GPS.

 

Is there another 581i HD that is not n the Humminbird catalog?

BTW the (i) in Humminbird model numbers means internal GPS antenna.

 

There is a discontinued 581i which is a 2D only unit.

 

Exactly what Humminbird are you considering?

[Christian M]

Ok Wayne, Seems as though I struck a nerve there.

My apologies for not including the "DI". Seeing as how that's the only black & white Humminbird unit named Humminbird 581i HD which is a GPS Combo, I didn't think it was that big an issue, even you figured it out. And yes I am aware of what the "i" represents. Its a built in Unimap GPS antenna, but IT IS COMPATABLE with Lakemaster & Navionics cards. Check for yourself.

 

Also, I was referencing my MinnKota PowerDrive 12V 55lb thrust foot controlled trolling motor. If I purchase the Co-Pilot for it, then I can link it up to select GPS units, the Humminbird® 581i HD DI Sonar/GPS Combo may, or may not be one of them.

 

Also, I am well aware that the Lowrance is Down Scan Imaging only, that is the reason why I said "not many other features"

 

I went and looked at both units in person and played with them for about half an hour each.

I was just hoping to get someones helpful opinion.

 

I didn't put this post up to get burned or schooled by someone trying to make me sound ignorant. I'll make my purchase in the morning as planned.

Thanks for your helpful input Wayne.

[A-Jay]

The Lowrance DSI unit is DOWN SCAN ONLY.

 

"GPS compatable w/my Powerdrive." What does that mean???

 

The 581 is not "compatable" with anything.

As far as I know, the whole model name is 581i HD DI Combo which is a 2D and Down Imaging unit with GPS.

 

Is there another 581i HD that is not n the Humminbird catalog?

BTW the (i) in Humminbird model numbers means internal GPS antenna.

 

There is a discontinued 581i which is a 2D only unit.

 

Exactly what Humminbird are you considering?

 

Occassionally what I type doesn't exactly match what I meant to say.

 

Is that the case here Wayne ?

 

A-Jay

[zip pow]

Occassionally what I type doesn't exactly match what I meant to say.

 

Is that the case here Wayne ?

 

A-Jay

That's the problem with text a lot of times it hard to relay emotions. I've ask many questions and Wayne has always been professional. I'm sure its just a misunderstanding.

[J Francho]

Ok Wayne, Seems as though I struck a nerve there.

My apologies for not including the "DI". Seeing as how that's the only black & white Humminbird unit named Humminbird 581i HD which is a GPS Combo, I didn't think it was that big an issue, even you figured it out. And yes I am aware of what the "i" represents. Its a built in Unimap GPS antenna, but IT IS COMPATABLE with Lakemaster & Navionics cards. Check for yourself.

 

Also, I was referencing my MinnKota PowerDrive 12V 55lb thrust foot controlled trolling motor. If I purchase the Co-Pilot for it, then I can link it up to select GPS units, the Humminbird® 581i HD DI Sonar/GPS Combo may, or may not be one of them.

 

Also, I am well aware that the Lowrance is Down Scan Imaging only, that is the reason why I said "not many other features"

 

I went and looked at both units in person and played with them for about half an hour each.

I was just hoping to get someones helpful opinion.

 

I didn't put this post up to get burned or schooled by someone trying to make me sound ignorant. I'll make my purchase in the morning as planned.

Thanks for your helpful input Wayne.

 

You're over reacting.  Wayne has a great deal of product knowledge in regards to Sonar/GPS units, and is trying to help you best by getting to the specifics.  Nobody is trying to make you sound ignorant.

[Wayne P.]

Ok Wayne, Seems as though I struck a nerve there.

My apologies for not including the "DI". Seeing as how that's the only black & white Humminbird unit named Humminbird 581i HD which is a GPS Combo, I didn't think it was that big an issue, even you figured it out. And yes I am aware of what the "i" represents. Its a built in Unimap GPS antenna, but IT IS COMPATABLE with Lakemaster & Navionics cards. Check for yourself.

 

Also, I was referencing my MinnKota PowerDrive 12V 55lb thrust foot controlled trolling motor. If I purchase the Co-Pilot for it, then I can link it up to select GPS units, the Humminbird® 581i HD DI Sonar/GPS Combo may, or may not be one of them.

 

Also, I am well aware that the Lowrance is Down Scan Imaging only, that is the reason why I said "not many other features"

 

I went and looked at both units in person and played with them for about half an hour each.

I was just hoping to get someones helpful opinion.

 

I didn't put this post up to get burned or schooled by someone trying to make me sound ignorant. I'll make my purchase in the morning as planned.

Thanks for your helpful input Wayne.

You didn't "struck a nerve". You posted an incorrect model and functionality as far as I know.

I was asking to find out if you knew of some model and features I am not aware of.

Humminbird makes some special run models that are not on their web site or catalog.

As far as I know, no 500 series units or lower can be connected to any other devise to share data or functions.

 

Explain about hooking up Co-pilot to any sonar unit--I am not aware of that.

Minnkota has Auto Pilot, Co-Pilot, and iPilot Link

 

Minnkota has a new function called iPilot Link with some of their motors that some Humminbird models work with, but those models are only current ones with the Ethernet capability--700 series and higher. 

You would need to replace the AutoPilot in the motor head with the iPilot Link accessory, purchase an Ethernet cable, and a 700 series unit that is Ethernet capable. Then you can purchase a new iPilot Link compatable Lakemaster card IF you fish areas that are covered by Lakemaster mapping and use the "Follow the contour" feature.

You could also update the iPilot Link software via the Humminbird unit.

 

Uni-map is not the GPS antenna, it is the built-in basic mapping background-no lake contours. Yes you can use the lesser versions of Navionics software and also Lakemaster. Check for coverage where you fish.

 

Some may be interested in what you plan on doing, so at least post accurate information.

 

I am trying to help you and others.

BTW, of anyone purchases a trolling motor with built-in sonar transducer, that transducer cannot be used for any imaging/scan function-it is 2D only.

[Comfortably Numb]

Unless Wayne edited his post I dont see where he said anything but helpful info or was trying to get more info to help you decide.

 

He said "The Lowrance DSI unit is DOWN SCAN ONLY" in caps because it is very important because a Di only unit is pretty useless without 2d also IMO.

[Downeaster2010]

I have to jump in here.  I have the powerdrive Minnkota bow trolling motor and it is compatable with my Garmin downscan fish finder.  I have the built in transducer in my Minnkota and to make it compatable you have to go to Minnkota and purchase a connector cable, that goes from the minnkota transducer to the depth finder.  They are not expensive, and the cable is short, generally under 2 foot.  Mainly it is for the front mounted depth finder working with the trolling motors transducer.  If you have a transducer in your MinnKota it can be easily seen right under the front of the torpedo on the lower unit.

[Comfortably Numb]

Garmin does not make a unit with downscan or downimagining and if they did it would not work with MK's universal sonar transducer

 

...Bill

[scrutch]

Garmin does not make a unit with downscan or downimagining and if they did it would not work with MK's universal sonar transducer

 

...Bill

Bill,

You are both correct and incorrect.

Garmin does not make a downscan unit. Correct.

Minn Kota's US2 transducer IS compatable with Garmin's units. Downeaster is correct when he talks about the adapter cable to go from his Garmin unit to his Minn Kota US2 TM.

Proof... http://store.minnkotamotors.com/media/document/2012_MK_US2CompatibilityChart.pdf

[Wayne P.]

Bill,

You are both correct and incorrect.

Garmin does not make a downscan unit. Correct.

Minn Kota's US2 transducer IS compatable with Garmin's units. Downeaster is correct when he talks about the adapter cable to go from his Garmin unit to his Minn Kota US2 TM.

Proof... http://store.minnkotamotors.com/media/document/2012_MK_US2CompatibilityChart.pdf

 

Cumfortably Numb was correct with both parts of his statement, you didn't read it correctly.

 

" if they did it would not work with MK's universal sonar transducer"

That is referrring to down scan in the first part of his sentence.

[scrutch]

Yes. It IS only 2D sonar.

[Christian M]

Holy cow look what I started...Hey Wayne no hard feelings man. My apologies if I came off like a jerk, I was having a rough week and it was just text that got lost in translation. I appreciate you trying to help cause I'm no expert on Marine electronics.

 

I went with the 581i HD/DI Combo. I wanted to spring for the color unit, but I figured I had better live within my means. Besides, I'm just a weekend warrior so I think it will suffice. I'll take the extra money and get a decent marine stereo system.

 

90% of the time I do installs myself. I'm pretty savvy when it comes to mobile electronics, but I was having a hard time snaking the wires to the battery from the deck, and the electrical panel didn't have any extra slots for new accessories.

 

That taken into consideration I took it to the local car audio electronics shop for installation. The owner is a certified scuba diver so he does a lot of marine installs. We kinda thought through it together and decided the easiest, cleanest, and most cost effective way to get power was to splice into my accessory switch (which has nothing on it except a 12v plug). We soldered the wires in, used a 3 amp inline fuse (As called for), and used some moisture seal tape to protect it. It works fine, I just have to flip my accessory switch then turn on the unit. All in all I'm happy, again no hard feelings, if you have any advice please share.