humminbird ICE 597

[T.S128]

I am planning on gettina new graph for my boat but then saw the ice 597ci hd combo. I figured it would be nice to use it double duty for on the ice as well. My question is would it be easier for me to buy the regular 597 or ICE edition and then buy whatever is needed to run for the opposite season. I'm thinking if I get the ice unit all I need it a new transducer to run it in the boat...? Will I need to get a mount? Compared to getting ice ducer and soft pack and whatever else if I bought the regular unit made to mount on a boat.

Have any of you used this unit in the winter how do you like it?

Thanks

[reddog]

I'd probably price it out both ways, with the associated parts, but I think you are thinking right. Get the ice unit, then at the least, all you would need is a skimmer transducer,(XNT-9-20-T $ 79.99) as all the other parts from the ice would be able to transfer, if you wanted to save money. Otherwise, If you just want to be set up to grab and go, you will need a new base (MS M $34.99) and power cord, (PC10 or 11 19.99 11 has the interference choke built in) which are Humminbird universal.

[amateurfishing]

i bought the open water version then purchased the portable ice carry pack for 120ish on south america river HSOforum. i have heard of guys purchasing open water unit them making homemade carry kit for ice. i like what i did with the head unit quick release i just take of boat and put in carry pack & vice versa, no need for undoing boat mounting hardware every fall. some prefer to try and save some $$ by using boat mount for homemade ice carry pack, i dont. the only major difference needed is open water ducer & ice ducer and if u hook it up to boat battery then portable ice battery, everything else would b your choice.

[T.S128]

Thanks for the replys guys. I just didn't know what all would be needed. I found the ice unit for only 70$ more than the regular one so I think I might save a bit of money. When you mentioned getting a new mount is it needed or will I be able to use the mount in the ice unit to permanently attach to my boat.

Also, how do the transducers with the suction cups work or is it better to buy the one that mounts with hardware?

and for those who use it on the ice how does it work with other flashers in the same house does it have some sort of interference rejection?

thanks again

[amateurfishing]

the only way to use the ice mount in the boat is drill your own holes to mount on boat or just carry the ice package on boat and not hardware it onto anything, but u would still need ducer connected so to me it just makes more sense to have all the mounting already done for each purpose and snap unit on. In past i have read that guys take the boat package of the 597 and unmount the open water version off boat and make homemade portable unit off that but you would still need power supply & ducer for that. again for me its just easier to transer head unit from boat to portable pack and back, never have to worry bout unconnecting wires, cords, ducer, etc because that is all taken care of in each mounting bracket

far as i know, only reason u want to get suction cup ducer for boat is if u plan on changing boats or take along on someone elses boat, i was afraid of drilling holes on mine so i just marine epoxyed mine on but it did fall off as i was winterizing this fall.

dont have any experience ice fishing with others so dont know how well it plays with others

[T.S128]

thanks for all the info I picked up the unit today and now understand what your talking about. Will buy the mount and ducer once open water is closer. Seems like a pretty slick piece of equipment especially from what I'm used to cant wait to get out and try it. Rain today is holding me back and unfortunately working the weekend so will have to wait till tuesday

[amateurfishing]

let us know how u like it

personally for the ice, i prefer the black background cause the other colors "jump" off the screen better and get less glare so easier on the eyes when constanly looking at it

[T.S128]

I hope amateurfishing reads this

I got to take the 597 out kn the ice today for the first time and was not quit satisfied almost debating returning it and going back to my vx1 pro...

I would like to know if anyone else has experienced the ama eproblems I have. First, I cant stand the Flasher screen sometimes it seems laggy sometimes not wasn't a huge problem glstopped noticing it after a while. It wouldn't even keep the size of the mark from my jig the same size when it just sat there. I tried adjusting the sensitivity but was no help. The biggest problem j had was getting a consistent reading of the bottom I was fishing in 8 feet of water and had to set the bottom manually to keep it from jumping around. After just the number reading the depth would jump about every three seconds. From 8 sometimes all the way up to 170 then to another it and so on. It also happened while fishing 25 fow. Does anyone know what's going on or how I can adjust something to avoid this. I likethe unit otherwise and would like to keep it. I really like the side scrolling view i found it more fun wayching the fish come up and leave a trail ckmpared to the flasher view. I Would go back and buy the regular unit for my boat hopefully the problem wouldn't still happen. I might have to post this as a new topic if no one helps. I will be conacting HB in the morning as well

Thanks

[MN Bob]

I have the same problem. let us know what humminbird tells you. otherwise the only problem I had was fishing next to a buddy with a FL 22. He had tri beam ducer. next to my wifes FL 20 single beam I have no problems. And also if I want to edit a way point I can only see the letters when in white screen.

[Deep]

What transducer setting are you using? In shallow water I would be using 83. In deeper water 200 or if I want to see more area 200/83.

Are you zooming X1 or X2?

I had a problem with mine that I could not X2 zoom,I called and after restetting factory defaults I was able to zoom X2.

Maybe you should also check your update level.

[Deep]

Another thought, if you are using the support cable that came with the transducer, get rid of it! That will cause transducer not to sit level.

[MN Bob]

Ditched support right away. Have not messed with zoom yet. Unit is up to date. Still happy overall.

[T.S128]

i was fishing 200 when i tried 83 it seemed to clutter the screen when in the scroll view. I also had to call and ask about the zoom reset to factory and that solved that but never fished in x2. not sure how to check the update but im sure i can figure it out. next time out ill try using 83 and without the support cable. eventually i think i might fashion a ducer arm or try to put a marcum on there as im not a big fan of the float.

I fished next to an fl 18 for part of the day and a vx 1 pro the other part didnt have too much interference and the noise reduction seemed to take care of it ok. Ill let you guys know what HB says in the morning. If it comes down to it ill send it back and settle with the boat version or maybe go for the smaller 587 with di

thanks for the responses

[Deep]

Make sure your switch fire is in clear mode, not max mode. I know there is alot of setting adjustments, but it is a nice unit when you get to using it both for ice fishing and summer time.

I am not anyway working with H.B. I just think that these units can do way more than the new Marcums can with half the price.

[amateurfishing]

it has taken me a full year plus to learn most of the options/settings and am still learning. I have gone thru most of the issues u are stating, changing some of your settings should fix a lot.

as manual states, any water shallower than 10 ft make sure switchfire is off, otherwise u will see a lot of garbage/cluttboer/junk, if u have issues in deeper water, may have to toggle between switchfire/clear mode and and ur ducer settings 83/200 to see what works best.

i do not use flasher mode, i enjoy the graph and watching the history, for me its easier to tell if a fish is rising from the bottom

bottom zoom should not be a problem, i have had zero issues

should not have any problem seeing your jig, i have no issues with that

as far as expectations or what you think it should do, i cant really answer anything unless i have experienced it. this is my first finder and honestly if something is not working on mine correctly i would not no it cause i dont know any diferrently. dont have any friends/experts watching it/me telling me if everything is ok r not.

[T.S128]

Just got off the phone with HB the gal didn't really have a definite answer for a solution but suggested I try setting the Max depth in the sonar settings. I told her I changed the bottom range and she said put that back onto auto and try Max depth and taking it out of auto. She if that doesn't help to give them another call. Since ive gotten this unit (last Friday) ive had to call customer support three times and everytime ive had great service, and am very impressed. That goes a long way for me when deciding future purposes.

I might have to drill a hole today before I head to work just to try it out otherwise wont be able to get out till the weekend.

My switchfire has been set to clear although she didn't mention it she did say I should be on the 200 sonar mode

Ill let you guys know if it solves the problem

[T.S128]

Well I'm stuck waiting for the lift bridge to go back down, so I thought I'd let you guys know how it went. I didn't want to walk all the way out to deeper water so had to settle for 6ft the depth readout wasn't jumping around as bad as it was yesterday only jumping around tenths of a foot but when I set the max depth out of auto to a depth a little deeper than what I was fishing the depth readout held steady. So as at as I can tell his solved the problem. Once I get out and actually fish instead of just drill holes will be the true test but as of now it looks like it might work out.

[amateurfishing]

i hope u can get your concerns/issues worked out to your liking, i know they do have very good customer service. sometimes these new gadgets need to be used in real life scenarios with operator tinkering with it for a while to get it on the specs u were expecting or had intended with your purchase. it may take some time and a few trips into the owners manual to get your desired results