humminbird 385 or 597

[kerryd15]

i fish some shallow lakes and using a marcum troller has not worked well for the kids. Looking at a 385 or 597 or similar that would work better in shallow water. Thinking color would help differentiat fish from bottom. This would also be working beside a vexilar. Thinking the unit could double duty on the boat. What are your thoughts? What others should I look at. I have a 798 on the boat now, Thinking one up front would be helpful.

How do that 385 and 597 perform in shallower water? Should I just use the 798 with an ice ducer? Kind of like the idea of the 60 degree cone though.

[amateurfishing]

i got a showdown troller last feb for the ice then got the HB 597 ci HD for my boat late sept. love using both on ice for different reasons. different views on 597 make learning lake fun & gps can help a ton. if u like your your 798 & u can detach the face from the boat, i would recommend just getting the ice ducer for that, unless you really have your heart set on a 2nd finder for your boat, i like my 597 (but i also removed a 84 LCR HB from boat, major upgrade).

[Brad B]

between the two you listed I would say the 597 is the way to go because it has the larger screen and would be good for up front on your boat.

[Jarrod32]

The two key differences between the two units, I think, would be that the 597 has down imaging, and the larger screen. It would be up to you if you think those features are worth the extra $200 or so that it would cost to go to the 597.

I have the 597 on my boat, and I am very happy with it...but I have not used it on the ice.