Using Humminbird 597 w/Di for ice fishing?

[MudPuppy77]

Has anyone successfully used the Humminbird 597ci HD di for ice fishing? In my internet searches, it appears that some people have used the add-on xi 9 20 transducer but the word out there is that Humminbird does not recommend this only because they were not sure if doing so would mess up the down imaging long term. I am not technologically advanced enough to know why it would or would not.

Both the DI and non-di models have a flasher mode so you would think that it would be ok for winter use but I know some people also use the flasher mode on open water.

Just wondering if any brave souls have tried this with di models and what the outcome has been?

[MudPuppy77]

Sorry. I just found that this exact thing was discussed back in September on this forum. I shall try the search function next time before I post. It appears that Humminbird has fixed this problem with an update and it is now possible.

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[RJMOEN]

can you post a link to the thread. thanks

[icefisker]

I posted the thread back in september and i have since upgraded my 597 and bought the 9 20 ducer and carry case... I used it a few times and when i got it dialed in it did work well, but then i had issues with it finding/reading the bottom. I called Humminbird and they told me to reset to factory defaults, and i have not had time to go back out and use it. I will use it this weekend and report back... I did have some interference issues with my brothers LX3, but we were able to solve it with a few clicks of his IR.

[MudPuppy77]

RJMOEN, here is the link.

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3125681/Re:_Humminbird_597_ci_HD_DI_fo#Post3125681

icefisker, please report back after you use it again. I am very interested to see if the factory reset helped. I am still waiting for my ice ducer to arrive but I did an update to my 597 last night and part of that process was to set to factory default so hopefully I will be good to go.

Also, how did you mount your 597? Did you buy the Humminbird Conversion Pack or use a genz box? I am looking for creative ways to mount it but most include buying something expensive just for mounting and I would rather not do that if possible.

[icefisker]

I bought the conversion shuttle from the outfitter in Walker. If you have the time, you can find pretty good deals on them online. It works well, but i know i have seen some threads where people are making their own using a soft sided cooler, you might want to check into that option.

I will report back on how it goes this weekend. A few things i did notice when i had it out a few weeks ago:

1. Study the manual (especially the ice fishing mode section) and play around before you go out. I did not do this and caused some frustration on ice.

1.A. Make sure you change the sonar to 2D element first things first.

2. Interference can be an issue when around other units. The interference rejector in the 597 itself is a bit clunky, you have to adjust the noise filter which affects the sensitivity, which you also have to play around with. I think once you get it honed in, it will be ok, but i did not have enough time to play around with it.

3. It took a little bit for it to figure out the depth when i changed holes. Not great for hole hopping, but nice if you are gonna stay put.

4. There seems to be a bit of real time lag on the screen. Def. enough to notice.

[MudPuppy77]

Thanks. I appreciate the tips!

[icefisker]

I had issues again with the unit reading the bottom. Will be on the phone with Humminbird again this morning. Not sure if i have a bad ducer or something else, but it will not read the bottom. The GPS works fine.

[icefisker]

after troubleshooting, i called Humminbird again and they are going to replace my transducer at no charge, hopefully that will solve my issues. They do have great cust. service.