What Humminbird to buy?

[96trigger]

Hi All,

I am in the market for a new depth finder. I want it to have GPS capability. I am currently trying to decide between the 587 and 597ci HD Di, and a 788ci. Two years ago I was all hyped up to buy a 788 ci, now I see I can get one for about $500 down from $700. The 597 and 587 both have similar features, but the 587 is a lesser unit and is about $500 where the 597 is about $650. I primarily river fish the Mississippi in Lake Pepin, and don't do it all that often, so I am wondering if the Down imaging and HD are really going to work. I have read mixed reviews on them in anything but deeper clear water and the river is definitely not that. If the DI won't work for the fishing I primarily do, I would rather buy the 597 or 587, if it doesn't work worth a carp on the river, I might as well buy the 788ci. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[96trigger]

Hi All,

I am in the market for a new depth finder. I want it to have GPS capability. I am currently trying to decide between the 587 and 597ci HD Di, and a 788ci. Two years ago I was all hyped up to buy a 788 ci, now I see I can get one for about $500 down from $700. The 597 and 587 both have similar features, but the 587 is a lesser unit and is about $500 where the 597 is about $650. I primarily river fish the Mississippi in Lake Pepin, and don't do it all that often, so I am wondering if the Down imaging and HD are really going to work. I have read mixed reviews on them in anything but deeper clear water and the river is definitely not that. If the DI won't work for the fishing I primarily do, I would rather buy the 597 or 587, if it doesn't work worth a carp on the river, I might as well buy the 788ci. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Can anyone give me first hand information on these units?

[Nick Kuhn]

Down imaging works in any water clarity, and works fine in everything over 5 feet deep. By far it's most useful feature is how easy it makes to see a change in bottom composition. It should also help you identify a piece of structure that just looks like a red blob on standard sonar.

[JohnMickish]

My opinion on sonar is very clear. Buy the biggest, best unit you can afford. You will NEVER wish that you had a smaller, less powerful sonar.

We all have a budget and stay within it, but I would take a bigger screen and SI/DI anyday. Oh, one more thing. SI/DI on the river/Pepin is AWSOME! With the normal water clarity using the imaging technology is like having Xray vision for the water.

[96trigger]

Thanks guys, that is exactly what I was hoping someone would say. I really didn't want to buy the SI and HD and be [PoorWordUsage] that it didn't work well for the river. I appreciate the first hand responses.

[96trigger]

I bit the bullet and went with a 788ci HD DI, Its what I wanted all along and will probably be the last unit I buy for a long time. I am glad I waited, I was going to spend the $800 on the one that wasn't HD and didn't have DI 2 years ago, now I got both for less, found it online for $699, shipped to my door.

[BartmanMN]

96trigger, please check your PM bucket or email me if you don't see anything. [email protected]

Thanks