Thread: 2d sonar vs DI sonar

Si yes, di not so much, all I run on the TM is 2d and GPS, but I love my si for idling and locating, I do have plans for a 360 upfront though, hope Santa is listening

Yes, yes, and yes! So I don't have SI so can't speak to that but DI is a huge game changer, I wish I hadn't waited to upgrade when DI came out. It makes "seeing" everything under water so much clearer! With 2D a brush pile looks like a blob - is it a brush pile or a school of baitfish? With DI, brush looks like brush, fish look like fish. You should upgrade to DI as soon as possible!

Like Gobbler I have my old 2D unit up front by the TM, I use that to keep me on whatever I located with the DI in the back. I also use a handheld GPS up front. I have GPS on the FF in the back so when I want to fish something I'll mark it on the FF and with the handheld, and take the handheld GPS up front. Cheap but works.

When I upgraded from 2D to DI with GPS my ability to catch fish increased 1000x, why did I wait so long? LOL

With FF prices where they are your bang-for-the-buck is fantastic!

I have both 2-D and the DI on mine. But I only use the traditional 2d because that's what I grew up knowing working on a headboat.

My current boat had 2d units at the bow & console. It's all I've ever used, well ... except for "flashers" (back in the 70's).

I put a Lowrance Elite 5DSI at the bow a couple few years ago, and I've been slightly "anti-2d" ever since
Like "ppowell" says .... 2d gives you "blobs", while DI gives you "pictures". And while you can't always tell what's "fish" (on either 2d or DI), you can definitely tell what's a brushpile or treetop or other types of cover on your DI screen.

If you purchase a new unit, it will likely have both 2d & DI capabilities. MY unit is DI only (no 2d) but that's fine with me. It's been discontinued & the newer models have the 2d added back in. One of those types of units would give you what you're looking for, and afford you the opportunity to see the 2d image side by side with the DI image for greater/easier interpretation of what is below the transducer.

The newer units also usually come with GPS & water temp capabilities, plus card slots that can be used for screenshots (blank sd card) or using a contour map chip.

One "tip" that I would make is: a 5" screen would be the minimum size I would recommend. Especially so if you intend to use a split screen very often.

Thanks for the feedback. I've been looking at some of the Helix systems as some of the older generation units have been going on sale recently. Just curious how those with Humminbird have liked those units?

Originally Posted by Allsop

Thanks for the feedback. I've been looking at some of the Helix systems as some of the older generation units have been going on sale recently. Just curious how those with Humminbird have liked those units?

I went the Helix route not long after they came out, don't see me changing anytime soon. I bought a second unit not long after using the first one. DI opens up a whole new underwater world.

i see alot of folks like the di, di shows a broader spectrum under the water, a wider area, and i cant see my bait on di like i can on 2d and the fish on di don't stand out to me like fish on 2d do, an educated eye can easily identify a brush pile on 2d, di is a nice option to have on your unit to clearly identify something if there is a question, but if i had to choose between di or gps in association with 2d i'd pick gps anyday. si is a whole nother world, a big screen si unit will make you look differently at your favorite lake

Take a look and you can compare. In the first picture, especially look between 20 foot and the bottom. Those are crappie that you see on the DI side, but are not seen on the 2D image. These shots are of exactly the same thing under the boat.

The second picture is quite similar with DI showing you had better be fishing on the bottom and suspended just under 20 feet. Yes, CHIRP has made 2D a lot better, but if you can afford DI, go for it.