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Humminbird 385ci or 597ci HD

FisH_SLaYer24

By FisH_SLaYer24
in Ice Fishing

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FisH_SLaYer24 Community Regular

FisH_SLaYer24

Posted
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I have been looking at purchasing a new GPS for the upcomming ice fishing season. This unit will be used year round, but the GPS capabilities will mainly be of use during the hardwater season. I have an old Lowrance Expedition and I am looking at upgrading due to wanting a bigger screen size, plus with the buy out from Adam Outdoors, I'm leaning towards Humminbird because of my liking for the Lakemaster chips. I have found a deal where I can get the 597ci HD for only $100 more than the 385ci. For those of you who have used either of these units during the hardwater or open water season, what are some pros? cons? For those who bought the 385ci, do you regret going with the smaller screen or not? How accurate is the GPS capabilites when searching for your "hot spots" on the ice? Any information is greatly appreciated and will help in the process of which unit I choose for the upcomming ice season

Thanks,

Chris

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shawno Rookie

shawno

Posted
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Hey FishSlayer,

I own the 597ci HD DI. I picked it up at the start of the year and it has been a great unit. I find it to be very accurate and the built in GPS is great when paired with a Navionics or LakeMaster map. I was in the same boat as you until earlier today. I currently own a Marcum LX-3tc ( great unit by the way ) and I planned on selling it to a buddy of mine and buying a X9 20 transducer to pair it up with my H'bird 597 HD DI. I thought it would be worth trying...so I was looking on the Humminbird site and didn't see the 597 HD DI model listed on the HSOforum as a compatible unit. I contacted Humminbird and this is the response I got back from them today:

"Question: Does the X9 20 Iceducer work with the 597ci HD DI? It is not listed, but I see the 597 ci is? I just to confirm before I place this order. Thanks"

"Answer: The XI 9 20 will work with your unit however you will not get the flasher mode.

Good Boating and Fishing

Tangie"

So my advice to you is if you go this direction make sure not to buy the DownImaging model, as it will not display the IceFishing Flasher mode properly which is baffling to me because it has the IceFishing mode as an option along with the Flasher dial through the menu system.

Perhaps someone there can prove Tangie@Humminbird wrong? I would be happy to hear it if that was the case.

Hope this helps in your decision.

Shawn

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FisH_SLaYer24 Community Regular

FisH_SLaYer24

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Shawno,

Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. That is a problem that the ice fishing mode wouldnt work with the ducer. However, for the purpose I am looking for in the unit is mainly the GPS capabilities. I already own a Vexilar FL-20 and I am overly content with the real speed time of my flasher. Thanks again shawno, it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

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panfishpounder00 Collaborator

panfishpounder00

Posted
Posted

i was also looking at the 385ci for a secondary flasher unit and the gps option that could mount the wheeler and sled... i like my lowrance out & back with navionics chip but i'm looking at switching over to a lakemaster chip and i think this set-up would be better.... what are some more opinions.... i hope i'm not hi-jacking!! LOL!!

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Norm1980 Collaborator

Norm1980

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I have used a HB 345c the last couple winters for ice fishing. the 345c is basically the same as the 385ci minus the GPS, I use a garmin w/lakemaster chip for that part. I only have run into a few problems with the 345c, It does get Interference if you are fishing close to other more power full flashers (vexilars etc..) but it is manageable. I also find that when using the flasher screen in +20' of water there is a very very slight lag on the screen that you don't notice on a normal flasher. As for summer it would always be nice to have the bigger screen.

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amateurfishing Grand Master

amateurfishing

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i dont have much experience with it yet but just got the 597 ci on sale 25% off in Rogers. Love the large color screen, gps, navionics chip (it works with both), and all the info it provides. I have also already purchased the portable pack and ducer via ama zon for ice time. it was a very good deal there.

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Knoc Collaborator

Knoc

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I have the 385ci portable unit with the lakemaster chip and absolutely love it. This will be my 1st winter using it, so Im very excited. I have loved it in the boat. I had a older lowrance before that had a much bigger screen, so I was kinda skeptical about the smaller screen at 1st, but it wasnt a issue at all converting over to it. The size of the screen wont be a issue.

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