Thread: Humminbird some help please.

What is the best fish finder in the 500.00 or less range , I need a new one for the bow of my boat any help appreciated.

What size display are you looking for?
Color or Black & White?
Do you want GPS or not?
Do you want to be able to connect this unit to another unit in the future to share information?
2D sonar or 2D + DI sonar?

I am totally open id like to have gps with a port for a card, color or b&w doesnt really matter id like the best sonar available and could you explain a side imaging unit thanks

This just a suggestion go to YouTube and do a search for side scan. Lots of videos on that and down scan that will explain it a lot better than most of us can on here. If you think you want side scan might have to revise your budget just a little. Also go to Humminbirds web site and look at the 500 series units. Give you a good idea what's out there in your price range. Then check under our member sponsor tab and check their pricing on units your interested in.

Im in the same boat you are. I have SI on the console and want a smaller unit for the bow.

Im looking at the 571 (249 BPS) or 581 (299 BPS). Both have DI but the 581 also has GPS. For only $50 more Im leaning toward the 581 but Im not really sure how well DI will work on a trolling motor. What about when youre anchored or stationary? It wont work correctly will it?

+1 to what cray said.

The lowest cost Side Imaging sonar that we make right now is the 598ci HD Si model which has an MSRP of $799.99, you should be able to find it for a little less than that but I doubt you won’t find it for $300 less… so I would look at the DI model units. Cray mentioned a few but here are two more to look at:

The 587ci HD DI model unit has DI and 2D sonar, GPS, a map card/memory card slot and a 640V x 480H pixel count display. The MSRP is $449.99

The 597ci HD DI model unit has DI and 2D sonar, GPS, a map card/memory card slot and a 640V x 640H pixel count display. The MSRP is $599.99 which may be a little out of your price range but I would contact some of the board sponsors and see if they can better that price.


Down Imaging for the trolling motor does work. If you want those picture perfect images though you will have to have some form of movement. If you want a nice image of a tree the boat will have to move over the tree. If you are not moving the DI sonar will show you the same information over and over again just like any sonar will that does not have any movement (even conventional or “2D” sonar). With Humminbird DI model units you get both the Di sonar and 2D sonar; so you will be able to use either or both at the same time.

could i get your thoughts on the 571 hd di unit

It’s a good solid stand-alone DI unit and has a 640V x 320H B&W display. Same sonar as the other DI units (2D and DI) but it does not have GPS.

Anyone running a 581i HD Di unit should be able to give you feedback on the sonar and display as it is basically the same unit minus the GPS stuff and no memory card reader.