Humminbird 788c vs 597c

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Why would someone buy a 597c when the 788c is only $30 more? The 788c has a bigger screen, any other difference?

[PerchJerker]

The larger screen and the higher resolution in the 788 is worth the extra $30 in my opinion. The 700 series also has more output power in the sonar and can be integrated (networked) with other HB units.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Why do they even make the 597c?

[Ed Carlson]

Here is some more good news from Hummingbird. There are two new lines on the way this fall.

The new 800 series in a 7" display with or without side imagery, and priced below the 900 series. This will be hot!

Also, for the guy and galls who need a smaller chip capable unit, they have a new 300 series unit the with a bright color display and fully Nav and LakeMaster data card capable, loaded with fisherman friendly tools..but unfortunately... not side scan...yet. The price should be very affordable. The enhanced 300 series is a welcome addition to the line and should prove poplular for bow mount installations and feasibly on the ice too.

Also they have several updates that will be available for the 700, 900, and 1100 series to add some enhanced capability's to the unit on the water and off the water on your home PC for mapping and weigh-point management.

A new pre-loaded mapping platform is also on the way.

A new capability for weighpoint management is the ability to automatically store and group POI's and weighpoints by body of water, so you don't have to dink around and sort them out latter on. Simply pull up the weighpoint list for "Lake X" and... poof...all the info you stored is in one handy dandy file so they will be easy to work with on the PC or in the field. This is a very nice upgrade...available in September 2009.

Good stuff...they are keeping on there toes, very forward looking upgrades and highly useful to the end user.

[harvey lee]

Seems Humminbird is on their game for electronic's.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Ed, where are you finding all this info?

[harvey lee]

Wishin, check out this site.

http://store.humminbird.com/ccombo-ccombo300.html

[nater]

Ed - I'm guess no more detail on early fall or late fall for the 800 series? I was looking to buy the 788 in the next couple months, but might have to upgrade if that comes out!

[PerchJerker]

Ed - I'm guess no more detail on early fall or late fall for the 800 series? I was looking to buy the 788 in the next couple months, but might have to upgrade if that comes out!

Just to make sure you understand what you're looking at, the 800 series is a 7 inch screen. Right now HB has 5 inch screens like the 788, and 8-inch screens in the 900-series, but not any 7-inch screens until the 800 series is available.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

That is so timely. I was planning on getting one next spring and doing some tire kicking on their site. I was wishing they had a 7" unit and it sounds like they will by the time I buy. Now if I can afford it our not is another story

[harvey lee]

A little correction on the LakeMaster chips for the 300 series.

The 300 Series…it will not be LakeMaster compatible for 2010. The only Series that are LM compatible are 700, 800, 900 and 1100.

[blue_healer_guy]

Harvey, will my LM 08 chip work in my new 788ci? I'm thinking not from responses earlier. Havent recieved it yet thats why I'm asking.

[shamalex72]

How much of a price difference between the 788 and the new 800 series?