Humminbird 597 ci HD DI for Ice Fishing

[icefisker]

I have read that this unit is not compatible with any of the ice transducers for ice fishing because it has Down Imaging, does anyone out there have any insight or experience with this?

Would be pretty bummed out, as i hardly ever use the DI feature in the summer anyway...

Thank you!

[bee]

I believe DI only works when moving.

[Brad B]

I believe DI only works when moving.

you are correct DI only works when moving. if you want a 597 for ice fishing you need to get the non DI 597. they offer a transducer for that. the same deal if you have a boat and want to hook it to a minnekota trolling motor that has the us2 transducer. I tried my 597 DI on my trolling motor and even in regular 2d sonar it gave me false readings and was not working right.

[icefisker]

Bummer. Do you know if it is possible to disengage or not use the DI and just use the regular sonar?

[Brad B]

you can't shut off just the DI. you can how ever turn off the sonar completely and just use the GPS and mapping part of the unit. this is what I did with my 597 DI. I had it mounted in the truck and used the gps to drive to the spots I wanted to fish(this is when there was drivable ice). if you want a 597 for ice fishing get a non DI model 597. they just put out a ice unit last season with the 597 non di on it.

[Gekhang]

hmmm i got my 798 to work with the ice ducer. i just went to menu and change the sonar to read from the ice ducer instead of the side imaging transducer.

[Gekhang]

heres proof it works. i like the conventional chart better than the flasher.

[nubote]

Is your 798 DI?

[Brad B]

Is your 798 DI?

a 798 is side imaging and down imaging and regular 2D sonar.

if it works for you to run one of these units then do it but personally I would not run a side imaging or down imaging unit for ice fishing.

[Gekhang]

yes it has both side imaging and down imaging. i only run it because i have it as an open water unit.

[icefisker]

That is interesting. Wonder if anyone else has any insight? I emailed Humminbird and i will wait to see what they have to say and post it here.

[icefisker]

From Humminbird this morning....

Thank you for contacting Humminbird. We appreciate your interest in our products. The 597ci HD DI unit can now use the ice transducer XI 9 20 with the latest software update, with the latest software update there is a setting under the Sonar menu called Digital Depth Source that must be changed to 2D element when using the XI 9 20 transducer.

AWESOME!!! Thanks for the insight everyone, that chill in the air up here this morning tells me it wont be long!!!

[Hawg]

Are you saying these units don't reliably read the bottom if they are not moving? I would have never guessed that. I bet there are some disappointed boat guys that put them on the front trolling motor. That sounds weird, is that the case?