Which one would you buy? 597 combo / 788 combo / Elite 5 HDI

**montagc** · 10-10-2013, 03:13 PM

These are all in the same ballpark price wise right now. I have a 581di, but I can't see the screen well at all. I was hoping a color screen would help me. I was saving for a 597 because I want color and snapshot capabilities, and I already have the transducer installed. I see that the 788 is basically a 597 with an extra card slot and ethernet capability, which might come in handy. Today I noticed BBG has the Elite 5 HDI at a great price, and it seems to me (wait for it) that Lowrance down imaging is superior to HB. Please don't hate, just my opinion from screenshots I've seen. I have not seen the actual HDI screen, so I am not sure if it is better quality or brighter than the 597s I've seen.

I am thinking real hard about getting the HDI. What do you all think?

**Shellback** · 10-10-2013, 03:50 PM

I'd save for something that has side imaging.

**montagc** · 10-10-2013, 07:01 PM

Si is not in my budget, at least not one with a screen big enough for me to interpret.

**Tommy Skarlis** · 10-10-2013, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by montagc

Si is not in my budget, at least not one with a screen big enough for me to interpret.

montagc - you would be surprised at the ability to read to SI from Humminbird on the 700 series. Also - a word on screen shots versus "real-time live-sonar" Any company can make a screen shot look good - day in and day out - HB's SI units will stand up to the competition!

The one thing I had to learn on my unit was to be able to look at a mark (just in color sonar) and distinguish what a crappie looked like - I am pretty good at Walleye, Pike, Perch, etc - and now after a few days of looking at nothing but crappies - I can look at a mark and say: "That's a crappie!"

My vote would be for the bigger 700 series screen - and if you can figure out a way to swing it - I would highly suggest getting it with Side Imaging! But if not - you'll be happy with the color sonar!

**Don G** · 10-10-2013, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Tommy Skarlis

montagc - you would be surprised at the ability to read to SI from Humminbird on the 700 series. Also - a word on screen shots versus "real-time live-sonar" Any company can make a screen shot look good - day in and day out - HB's SI units will stand up to the competition!

The one thing I had to learn on my unit was to be able to look at a mark (just in color sonar) and distinguish what a crappie looked like - I am pretty good at Walleye, Pike, Perch, etc - and now after a few days of looking at nothing but crappies - I can look at a mark and say: "That's a crappie!"

My vote would be for the bigger 700 series screen - and if you can figure out a way to swing it - I would highly suggest getting it with Side Imaging! But if not - you'll be happy with the color sonar!

Tommy, do you have an on line study course for this? I really need some training on identifying crappie

using HB and Lowrance.

**Fisherman_Wantabe** · 10-10-2013, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Don G

Tommy, do you have an on line study course for this? I really need some training on identifying crappie

using HB and Lowrance.

X2

**jimp** · 10-10-2013, 08:15 PM

Might consider the Lowrance Elite 7, the screen is bigger than the 5" ones you're considering/mentioned, can get it with just DI and 2d, or move up to the gps/2d/di model. But get the biggest screen you can't afford whether its HB or Low. JMO

**montagc** · 10-10-2013, 08:24 PM

Thanks guys. Just FYI, the pics I refer too are ones I see posted here, not marketing pics. The elite 7 breaks the $600 mark, I am in the $450 range, and that is pushing it. I should probably just save the dough and wait for si units to come down.

**Tommy Skarlis** · 10-10-2013, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Don G

Tommy, do you have an on line study course for this? I really need some training on identifying crappie

using HB and Lowrance.

I do not - currently have a few videos planned - but nothing on tape as of yet. Best way to learn is to mark fish and then catch them to verify, that's what we did in Grenada. After a couple of days of trolling through "marks" and then catching them, it got fairly easy to distinguish what was shad and what was crappie.

**Tommy Skarlis** · 10-10-2013, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by montagc

Thanks guys. Just FYI, the pics I refer too are ones I see posted here, not marketing pics. The elite 7 breaks the $600 mark, I am in the $450 range, and that is pushing it. I should probably just save the dough and wait for si units to come down.

I fully understand the budget deal. Have been seeing a few used units on the market recently for about 3/4 to half the cost as new, maybe one of those would work. Best of luck montagc

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