Hummingbird Down Imaging

[jhow2319]

I'm thinking about purchasing the Humingbird 596c HD DI. If anyone has any reviews or anything it would be appreciated. Also, if you know I will need any extra accessories to mount it, feel free to throw out any advice.

[BadBassWV]

I've got mine ordered, It should be here by Wednesday or Thursday..I'll post what I think about it after a couple of times out on the lake. I've got a trolling motor mount that I think the transducer will fit on. I dont think it comes with the trolling motor mount if that is the way you are going to mount it. But I'll let you no.

[eyedabassman]

I just got my 898 Humminbird. I was went fishing with a friend in his boat last year and he had the 898. WOW, I was sold from when he turned it on! The DI and SI was so cool. We found things about the lake that you would have missed with just sonar! All I can say go for it you won't be sorry! Good luck.

[scrutch]

I just got my 898 Humminbird. I was went fishing with a friend in his boat last year and he had the 898. WOW, I was sold from when he turned it on! The DI and SI was so cool. We found things about the lake that you would have missed with just sonar! All I can say go for it you won't be sorry! Good luck.

What I have found since buying an 1197 is that it's actually easier to locate structure with the 2D sonar than with the DI. It's not as defined, but you'll identify more structure with the 2D, mark it with the GPS, and return to scan it with the DI for a better picture.

The reason for this is the shape of the sonar beams. You can pass NEAR structure with 2D and see it. With DI you have to be directly over top of it to get a good image.

That being said, the DI is an awesome tool. If you can afford it, it's worth the extra money to get a unit with Side Imaging. You'll be able to scan MUCH more water with one pass.

[OSUblkbass]

What settings are you running with side imaging, down imaging, and 2d sonar. How far out from the boat do you think is the best to get the most detail? Do you have any mapping chips? I have a 998 SI combo and looking into the Navionics Platnium.

[Wayne P.]

OSU, for the most detail, a close SI range setting is best so that the returns are larger. 3 times the depth is a good starting point. For general scanning 100-200 feet will show large returns and bottom shape, but a 12" bass at 100' setting is mostly unnoticeable. I usually start around 100 feet and re-scan an object with a closer setting to get more detail. I only use my SI units for fishing purposes. While I am fishing, I have my bow unit SI range set to 35'-40' so I can see fish easily and "sight" fish no matter what the water conditions are.

For DI, I use the 10-13 sensitivity setting and adjust that according to depth. I use the wide beam setting.

For 2D to get the most coverage, I use the 83/200 kHz setting.

I use the Navionics Premium editions.

[Wayne P.]

Another setting suggestion. Set the SI/DI color to whatever looks best to you according to the ambient light. I change during the day. I like the brown for low light conditions and usually use the Amber 1 for a sunny mid-day. For seeing fish, I like Inverse and a Enhanced Sharpness setting of Low or Medium.

A hint for the sensitivity setting for SI/DI is use it like a brightness control to get the best detail and that has to be adjusted according to the depth.

[scrutch]

Wayne is right. I usually use 2-3 times the depth for the most accurate readings. Farther out in "search mode", like 4-5 times the depth ti identify larger structure to focus on and scan again at setting for a more accurate picture.

[BadBassWV]

I Received my 570 DI and Used it yesterday, All I can say is I saw structure that I never new was there, it opened up alot more water to fish that I ever considered fishing. Just wondering what the purpose of switch fire mode is. seems the screen is all cluttered in switch fire, what am I seeing in switch fire that clear mode doesn't show.

[Wayne P.]

BadBass, Switchfire gives you two levels of sensitivity settings. The Clear setting uses less power, picks up less returns and is used in less than 20' depths. Switchfire puts out more power and is used for deeper water and gives a higher sensitivity range if you want to see smaller/deeper returns. With Switchfire, you need to manually set the sensitivity level to choose the amount of returns you want.

[BadBassWV]

Thanks Wayne

[mferris]

i bought one and have only been out once but i was amazed by the detail,you will love it....only extra for mounting is a trolling motor bracket if your going to mount it there,otherwise you should be allset.....i would recommend it to anyone....and if it still doesn't come with a manual you can email humminbird and they will send you one free...