597ci HD DI vs Elite 5 DSI

[gerty]

I know this has been gone over before , but I just wanted to confirm what I am finding and make sure I haven't missed anything.

In comparing the Bird 597 ci HD DI vs the Lowrance Elite 5 DSI Sonar w/gps I have found the following and would appreciate any comments or feedback:

Bird Advantages:

1. Better pixel count

2. higher power

3. 2 sd card slots vs one

4. DI and Sonar can be split on same screen - can not on Lowrance

5. 50 channel GPS vs 16

Lowrance:

1. Track Back

2. Takes standard Lakemaster chip vs Bird takes a special Bird Lakemaster chip

3. Others???

Really having a tough time deciding between the two.

Also, anyone know if they are going to offer the 7" screen on either of these models without having to add all the side imaging stuff.

Thanks for any help.

[desert_bulls]

Another big factor should be CS in case of an issue with the locator. Look at older post and you will see which brand most people will choose.

[gerty]

I am aware of the CS issue.

Am I right in saying the 597ci HD Di can take a lakemaster chip it just has to be a special HB chip?

[PerchJerker]

Regardless of pixel count and power, I prefer the displays and images on Lowrance units over HB units. Both do a nice job and it comes down to personal preference on which one looks better to you. Only you can answer that question for yourself.

Even though HB promotes their 50 channel GPS, there are not that many satellites in the sky. And half of the satellites in the sky are in the other hemisphere and not visible anyway. So 99.999% of the time you will be picking up the exact same satellites on a 50 channel or 16 channel receiver. My apologies to anyone who doesn't get the Spinal Tap reference, but in the words of Nigel Tufnel these go to eleven.

The HB unit does conventional sonar and DI, the Low unit does not do conventional sonar, it does DS only. In my opinion this is the biggest difference between the 2 units.

Both units take LakeMaster maps. For the Lowrance it has to be a Lowrance LakeMaster card, for the HB it has to be a HB LakeMaster card. The Lowrance has to be a newer LM card on microSD format.

HB has a DI models in their 500 and 700 series but all have similar screen sizes. I haven't heard anything about DI models in larger screen sizes from either company.

I don't think there's a difference in CS between the 2 companies any more. I spend a lot of time on the phone with both companies and Lowrance has come a long, long, long way from their horror stories of 2 and especially 3 years ago. Last season is was 50/50 whether I would get through to Low or HB with shorter wait times. If the history concerns you then give the advantage to HB ---- but I think that today they are even with each other.

Hope that helps. Have fun deciding!

[gerty]

PJ - Thanks for the feedback. I got about the same answer from the guy at Cabela's in regards to the Customer Service issue. He also thinks that Lowrance now has it figured out again.

Two more questions for you - 1.) How advantageous do you see the down imaging? If a guy goes with the HDS 7 without the LSS module (so no down or side imaging)is it better to have the bigger screen or to have the down imaging of the Elite. I just can't afford both at this point! 2.) the Lowrance Elite has conventional Sonar, you just can't slpit the screen to see both the coventional and the DSI at the same time - is that correct?

[Nick Kuhn]

From the looks of the transducer for the Elite 5 DSI, it only has the higher frequencies you see for down imaging, and lacks the 83/200 kHz normally found for conventional sonar. Going through the screenshots I do not see any conventional sonar pictures for the DSI.

[reddog]

I am aware of the CS issue.

Am I right in saying the 597ci HD Di can take a lakemaster chip it just has to be a special HB chip?

Yes.

[TR21HP]

gerty,

Once you have down imaging you'll wonder how you got along without it. It is that much better and is a valuable tool when you are fishing structure. We were up at Mille Lacs last year, smallie fishing and you could see the fish between the boulders over in Cove Bay. When we went further out by Spirit Island in deeper water it was evn more clear in terms of seeing fish instead of hooks.

[reddog]

From the looks of the transducer for the Elite 5 DSI, it only has the higher frequencies you see for down imaging, and lacks the 83/200 kHz normally found for conventional sonar. Going through the screenshots I do not see any conventional sonar pictures for the DSI.

The Elite 5 DSI does not have conventional 2D sonar.(83/200) Only the down imaging crystals 455 and 800

[gerty]

Thanks guys.

It seems like it would also be a great disadvantage to not have the regular sonar option?? Which would then move you towards the Humminbird.

[Nick Kuhn]

I would say yes. While certainly possible to find fish with the DI, I don't think it can really match the fishfinding abilities of a 60 degree conventional sonar. I never have my DI view open without the 2d sonar split screened.

[PerchJerker]

I find myself using DS more and more when fishing, and liking it more and more ---- but there are still times I want my conventional sonar too. Like Nick, there are lots of times I run in split screen with conventional sonar on 1 side and DS on the other side. I like having the option to do both, and it feels like I'd be giving something up to have DS only and no conventional sonar. I might be stuck in the "old dogs new tricks" rut right now, and maybe I'll change my opinion when I get back on the water if I find myself using DS more and more ---- but for now I'd rather have both options.

So, when looking at the Elite-5 DSI vs. the HB DI units, I think the HB units have a definite advantage by having the conventional sonar option.

On the question of screen size bigger is better, but I think having a bigger screen is most important for side viewing, and not as important for down viewing or conventional sonar.

Since you asked about the HDS, I love the ability to add and expand down the road, such as adding the LSS-1 module later. You don't have that option with the Elite model or with the HB models. Price is the trade-off of course, since we just spent more of your money

Hope that helps.

[gerty]

Yeah, if it only grew on trees.....

Thanks guys. As long as it took me to save up just to upgrade I can't imagine how long it would take to add the LSS-1. So I think right now I am leaning towards the Bird.

Hopefully, the final question - If I move my old Lowrance X-97 upfront to my trolling motor will I see any interference issues between that and the Bird mounted on my transom?

[PerchJerker]

If I move my old Lowrance X-97 upfront to my trolling motor will I see any interference issues between that and the Bird mounted on my transom?

The DI won't interfere because the frequencies are different.

The conventional sonars will interfere when the transducer cones overlap because the frequencies are the same (or very close).

A general rule of thumb for an 18 foot boat is that your transducer cones will overlap in about 30 fow, give or take. There's lots of variables that come into play, but you're pretty safe to assume that in 25 fow or less you won't have interference, but that somewhere around 25-30 fow the interference will show up.