597 ci HELP

[crappie&shrooms]

Just want to say thanks to everyone for all the input and info you have shared with me over the last week. I went last night to Cabelas to purchase a Lowrance Elite5 DS with GPS. Ended up getting the HB 597ci HD DI combo for $599. It was practically a coin toss between the two. The HB was $50 cheaper but that was not totally the deciding factor. Actually had a pretty knowledgeable sales rep that showed me the all the fun stuff. I liked the Elite 5 for the fact you can scroll back and mark a way point. That was one of my main reasons for wanting it. It doesn't appear that you can do that on the HB. At least not any further back than whats on the screen at the present time. Maybe Im wrong on that. I did like the fact that on the HB you could have the 2d and downscan on the screen at the same time. Elite doesn't have the 2D at all. It appeared that the HB was a bit sharper and brighter. At least in the simulation modes. Who knows what the real world screens will be.
Again thanks for sharing your experiences and helpful tips. I may be asking one or two (hundred) more questions of you guys/gals as I attempt to learn my new toy.
Ok one question right away. do you think it would work fine to mount the transducer on the bottom of my jackplate? That would move it back form the transom about 6-8 inches but im not wanting to drill any more holes in the boat. Would the 2d cone possibly see skag on the motor? Im thinking the cone wouldn't be wide enough at that depth to see it.

[crappie&shrooms]

Ok another question already. Upon registering my depth finder the first thing I find out is it needs an update. Now before I even get it mounted it appears I need to purchase a SD card and a card reader. I couldn't find anything stating how big of capacity card the finder will work with. Does anyone have any recommendations on cards and readers? I have a Best Buy just a few minutes from me.
I know in order to record or take snap shots I need a card. How long can you record on a 2 gig or a 8 gig card? When you play back a recording can you add a way point to it at that time. Say I play it back and find a stump I went over 3 hours ago. Can I add a way point now?

[kosmo]

Conguations on your new unit,what ever name brand you have decided on on im sure you will be pleased.you see alot of people with side scan transducers mounted on the jack,so i suppose it should work.i did have my 997 nounted there.it did work but i had lines up hlgh in the water column on the left side so i moved it.when your boats on plane the transducer will be out of the water thou.i use a 2gig sandisk , holds way more than i will ever nead.i dont no the size limmit of sd card but i have heard people using 16gig.thats for power users.theres proberly no limmit .you can mark waypionts 20 years from now using the recordings that you have saved.just play back a recording in your 597 when ever you want.move your curser over a spot that you want to mark push the mark button.you can save all your navigation info if you want.

[jimp]

Congrats on the purchase. I was wondering if the Elite had d2 and you answered my ?. On the SD card, make sure you get the right one, some units require a MICRO SD card, others just the "regular" size. 2gig will hold quite a few snapshots, and some video, but may as well get the 8gig if price is reasonable. You could always buy a 2 or 3 2gig cards if it works out, 1 for video, 1 for pics, hope you enjoy.

[kosmo]

Poll - What size SD Card do you use? this person says that you can use a 32gig.thats a hole lot

[crappie&shrooms]

Good. Thanks again guys. I bought a reader and an 4 gb sandisk today. Once I download the update and install it on the unit is it ok to use the disk to make recordings? Should I delete the update on the disk after the install?

[kosmo]

Ifs up to you if you want to leave the update on the card.if you do leave everytime you turn on a window will pop showing the update version.P.S. be sure to close the drive on your computer before removing sd card

[CrappiePappy]

Not that it matters to C&S, now that he's purchased the HB unit .... but (for me & anyone else with a Elite 5DSI):

The statement about the Elite 5DSI not having 2D capabilities ..... I'm confused. I have a E5DSI ... and I have the emulator downloaded on my computer. If I go to the Menu, then Sonar ... & put it on "Greyscale" (with or without "Fish ID" turned on), then I get what I consider a 2D sonar return. It looks very much like the picture I get on any other regular DF unit, & actually a better overall picture. With Fish ID on ... I get a good bottom pic, and the fish symbols & depth readings of each fish --- with Fish ID off, I get the same bottom pic & the fish are pictured as arches. Isn't that 2D ??
Now ... I will have to say that I've only done this on the emulator program, as I've only had my unit "on the water" one time, and I was more involved in fishing than I was in running thru the unit's menu & trying out the different settings. Still trying to pinpoint exactly where I want to permanently mount the unit, so that it's viewable but well out of the way of the TM cables.

Anyway ... I was just curious as to what's NOT 2D about this unit. Not trying to compare it against any other particular unit, but just trying to understand this new (to me) technology & the jargon/terminology associated with it. Also wanted clarification for any other member that has this unit, or may be considering purchasing it ... so that all of its can & can't do's are put out in the open, so that members can make a more informed choice.

... cp

[jimp]

CP , you need to go to the lake and play with that darn thing more, and give a full review of it. I'm looking at this unit myself, and wish you would speed things along for me. come on, help a guy out some. JK, I know life gets in the way. I've got a new Terrova leaning up again the boat now, and not had time to get it ON the boat.

[kosmo]

yall got me confused on all this.whats 2d and if di not 2d then what is it, cause it sure aint 3d.hmmmm maybe it is and i just didnt get the glasses to go with it