Fish Finder - Hdi Vs 2D Transducer Confusion, Lowrance & Humminbird Options?

[GPM]

Hi all, 

 

I've been doing some research, and wanted to see if someone can help educate me.  2 days ago, I knew nothing about FF's, but now I'm trying to buy one before I leave on a trip this weekend.  

 

I'm looking to mount my first FF on a canoe & kayak I own (1-unit, 2 boats).  I wanted FF only, then I've realized that GPS will make a very big difference.  So, I'm looking for a combo unit, but I'm way over budget now. It also seems to be getting worse.   

 

Almost bought the Elite 4 DSI, then I saw Wayne P's posts/pics on 2D vs DI.  Thankfully, he pointed out that it was a pure DI unit - so I realize that's not ideal either.  I'm now starting over trying to find a unit that has 2D/DI/GPS, but my budget started at $200, I stretched to $300, and I think I'm pretty much out of options unless I can spend much more.  

 

However, I just read the post that I've copied and pasted below.  Does this imply that I can buy a second transducer and get what I need by attaching it to an Elite 4 DSI, or something similar?

 

I'm hoping that someone can educate me on the least expensive unit that is reliable with the 2D/DI/GPS I'm looking forwards.  I'm primarily unpowered craft on lakes & rivers, so depth/power don't mean much to me.  If an additional transducer can solve my issue, I'd love to know about it. 

 

Thanks,

 

GPM  

 

---------

Posted elsewhere:

 

Hi everyone,

 

I'm looking into the elite 4x HDI,  I can buy it for $169.99 w/ a 83/200 transducer or i can spend $199.99 and get the 83/200 455/800 transducer.  

 

I was looking for some insight on the pros and cons of both and wanted to know if the +$30.00 is worth it.  I fish small ponds and lakes ranging in depth from 5'-50' 

 

[Wayne P.]

You have to pay attention to the whole model name of the units.

A HDI unit is not a DSI unit.

 

A Humminbird DI model does Down Imaging, 2D sonar. 

A Humminbird DI model that is a COMBO model does the same and has GPS also.

The transducers that come with those can be used for a shoot-thru appication IF your hull is suitable for that.

[Todd Driscoll]

Relative to Lowrance, your cheapest options that will provide 2D sonar, downscan, and GPS are the Elite-4 HDI (color) and the Mark-4 HDI (monochrome):

 

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Fishfinder-Chartplotter/Elite-4-HDI-en-us.aspx

 

You want part #000-11216-001 (combo 83/200-455/800 ducer)

 

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Fishfinder-Chartplotter/Mark-4-HDI-en-us.aspx

 

You want part#000-11215-001 (combo 83/200-455/800 ducer)

[GPM]

Thanks to the both of you!  Some other posts on this board have also helped educate me, so I appreciate the help. 

 

I see that the Elite 4 HDI fits my needs; am I correct in saying that the Humminbird alternative is the 386ci?  My understanding is that this unit also has 2D, DI, and GPS in color (but the screen is 3.5").   It seems to also be priced around $299.  Those are in stock at a local (Pittsburgh) store, so if there is no significant difference between the two, that may make my decision easier.  If anyone has any direct experience between the two, I would welcome the input. 

 

I will work on finding one, and then need to determine how to power the FF on my kayak.  I will check through the threads for battery advice/recommendations. However, in general, portable setups are workable with this type of system, correct?  

 

Thanks to all.

 

GPM 

[Wayne P.]

Once again you didn't pay attention to the whole model name of the Humminbird unit

 

There are three 398ci 

398ci Portable Combo

398ci Combo

398ci DI Combo

 

None of those can have any mapping added (no card reader) and come with a basic background map with no contours for waters.

For navigation purposes it is a Track Plotter, not a Chart Plotter.

 

The first two are 2D sonar and GPS.

The 398ci DI Combo is equivelent to the Elite 4 HDI. It does 2D sonar, Down Imaging, and GPS.

[GPM]

Wayne, 

 

Thanks for the input, I see (again) that the full model names have the feature designators.  

 

I am looking on the humminbird site itself (http://www.humminbird.com/Products/386ci-DI-Combo/), and searching for the 398ci DI Combo that you referenced above.  

 

For some reason, I cannot seem to find the exact model you have listed.  I have found two models that are close, but clearly not the exact same model name.  These are the:

 

386ci  DI Combo ($399.99)  http://www.humminbird.com/Products/386ci-DI-Combo/

398ci SI Combo ($499.99)  http://www.humminbird.com/Products/398ci-SI-Combo/

 

Is there some reason I cannot find a 398ci DI Combo on their website, and can you tell me where I should be looking?  While the other two appear to have the features I asked for, they are also $100-$200 more expensive than the comparable Lowrance Elite 4 HDI units.   I assume that the 398ci DI Combo is closer in price to the Lowrance.  

 

Thanks.

[Wayne P.]

Wayne, 

 

Thanks for the input, I see (again) that the full model names have the feature designators.  

 

I am looking on the humminbird site itself (http://www.humminbird.com/Products/386ci-DI-Combo/), and searching for the 398ci DI Combo that you referenced above.  

 

For some reason, I cannot seem to find the exact model you have listed.  I have found two models that are close, but clearly not the exact same model name.  These are the:

 

386ci  DI Combo ($399.99)  http://www.humminbird.com/Products/386ci-DI-Combo/

398ci SI Combo ($499.99)  http://www.humminbird.com/Products/398ci-SI-Combo/

 

Is there some reason I cannot find a 398ci DI Combo on their website, and can you tell me where I should be looking?  While the other two appear to have the features I asked for, they are also $100-$200 more expensive than the comparable Lowrance Elite 4 HDI units.   I assume that the 398ci DI Combo is closer in price to the Lowrance.  

 

Thanks.

 

 

You are correct with your model numbers, I made a mistake with the numbers and used the SI model number

I was in a hurry typing that since I had conversionation going on wth a couple other sites at the same time.

There is a 2D model 386ci Combo and a DI model 386ci DI Combo.

There is a 2D portable model with case-- 386ci Combo Portable.

The 386ci DI Combo is equivelent to the Elite 4 HDI except for the mapping capability. The Elite 4 HDI can read mapping products software --Insight and Navionics.

 

Lowrance does not have a small screen model equivelent to the 398ci SI Combo. That does Side Imaging, Down Imaging, 2D sonar, and GPS.

 

The Elite series that don't have the "X" in the model number can use mapping products and the Humminbird 300 series units cannot. There is an Elite 4x HDI that is not a Chart Plotter--just Down Scan and 2D sonar.

[GPM]

Thanks for the information.  It's funny that the model numbers trip people up so readily; it took me awhile to figure out that you were likely referring to the other models.  However, it was all very helpful in the end.  

 

As far as I could tell, the comparable Humminbird was about $100 more expensive, and did not appear to have anything that I needed that would make me stretch the budget (others may have different needs).  For those who may be wondering how this thread turned out, I just picked up the Elite 4 HDI unit at Gander Mountain, and am working on the installation into the boat.  

Thanks to Wayne & Todd for the replies.