Reply With QuoteI like my hb 597 it's been solid.. but I cld have got by with out the d.i. at a slow troll it's worthless but sonar is good
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Crappie Wall Hanger II
Fish finders?
I am ready to move up in the world. Looking at new fish finders. For the novice to learn witch is easier, Lowrance or Humminbird in the $600 to $800 range.
Duane
My ex-wife calls me a CrappieHead
divorced and no one to answer to, lets go fishing
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I like my hb 597 it's been solid.. but I cld have got by with out the d.i. at a slow troll it's worthless but sonar is good
CrappieHead LIKED above post
Crappie.com 1K Star General
When we out DI the guy at Cabela's said hummingbird was easier to use. But that may depend on the model too. Some have way more buttons.
Crappie Wall Hanger
Go to store and play with them all on display, then you'll know!
I'd vote bird. they are about 90% ready to go out of the box with very few settings to tweak for optimal performance.
-Justin. Just a forum stalker/BS'er......
Crappie Wall Hanger II
I've got two 597's. One with DI one without. I like them. They were pretty easy for me to learn when I got my boat having never even messed with a fish finder prior to owning my boat. If you are looking to get TWO units in that range id look at the Helix 5's. If you are looking for one in that range, or two units each in that range, I'd check out 859 and a 899. These are based off new prices also, can probably find some good used units around also. Good luck let us know what you get.
Also, if you get one with side imaging I would get on YouTube and watch the humminbird side imaging video they have. They explain in detail how to read the image you are seeing. A good friend of mine got this for his boat and it took me a time or two to understand how to read it, but this video really helped in the explanation.
Side imaging - Side Imaging® Tutorial Video - YouTube
Down imaging - Down Imaging® Tutorial Video - YouTube
Crappie Wall Hanger
Lots of votes for Humminbird. I've always used Lowrance. Last unit I bought was plug-and-play I didn't have to do anything it would automatically adjust to conditions and show what was underwater. I was very impressed with this as my previous Lowrance required more manual adjusting so it showed how much progress had been made with these fish finders. I just upgraded to a newer Lowrance model (color, gps, down-imaging, the works!), not installed yet, hopefully will be just as good.
Crappie.com 1K Star General
If you have a store at Rolla that has them on display and working go play. That is the best way to find out what you want to know. If not maybe take a drive down to Springfield and Bass Pro.
Everything else is someone's opinion and you know what they say about opinions.
I'll smoke just about anything (in my smoker)
The fishing is always great. The catching varies.
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Crappie Wall Hanger II
What model do you have and what model did you buy to replace it?Originally Posted by ppowell
I have been looking at Hummingbird 859ci HD DI or 899ci HD SI
Lowrance Elite-7 or HDS-7. What I like about Lowrance they have training DVD's on about every model they make. The manager at Bass Pro Electric Dept said Lowrance is easier to learn and operate.
My ex-wife calls me a CrappieHead
divorced and no one to answer to, lets go fishing
Crappie.com Legend
I have been kind of looking myself at something with DI and maybe the side imaging too. I spent some time talking with the guys at Marine Repair Center in Springfield yesterday about them. They were pushing the Hummingbird Helix 5's. I have a couple of Lowrance Eagle units now. I would like to stay with Lowrance myself. But this is what I got from talking with the guys from Marine Repair Center.
1. The Hummingbird Helix 5's are at a great price point. Lowrance doesn't have anything currently in the same price point. But they wouldn't be surprised if Lowrance wasn't working on something at the same price point right now.
2. I was told that its better if your getting DI and side imaging to mount that unit in the back of the boat. Something about folks having a easier time running straight with the big motor than the trolling motor. I was told that it was important to run straight for a better view of side imaging.
3. DI is not really needed in the front of the boat but it would be nice to have.
4. I asked about having to buy a map disk for the Hummingbird Helix 5's. I was told that the Lowrance units already had a more detailed map on the unit than what the Hummingbirds have on the base units. He said that if I got back up into the creeks with a Hummingbird I would need to purchase a additional map disk for as much detail as I am used too with my current units.
5. But this info was from Marine Repair Center and they sell both kinds, Lowrance and Hummingbirds.
6. So I have also called Lowrance and they were very nice to talk with. They recommended a unit that would go up against the Helix 5's. But it was like really hard to do any research on it. I did some internet searches on it and some of them came up that the unit had been discontinued by the factory.
So CrappieHead thanks for starting the thread. I am still on the fence myself. I want a Lowrance unit but I would like to get 2 units when I pull the trigger. I know some of what folks will say is just like the difference between Ford and Chevy guys. Or Lowe boat owners against Tracker owners.
