Help with 597 hd di

[Cruz66]

I just bought this unit got it on my boat been out but don't understand how to use it! I didn't see any fish on the thing I could see brush really good and caught fish off the brush but never seen the fish on the finder. The only instructions where to install it pretty much and a run down of the menu! If anyone has one and can help me out it would be greatly appreciated!

[crappie_jiggin]

Cruz66, I am in the same boat as you. All I can say is push buttons often and fequently to see what works best. Go over an area that there is a brush pile with one setting then go back over it many times more, but using different settings and see which works best. I have had my unit for about 7 months now and I am still learning. It is hard for one to tell you what they have theirs set at because you may be using it for a different application. I know on the DI part you need to set the image part to the low frequency to get a sharper image. Plus you need to set your unit speed to as close as your boat speed as you can it sure seems to help on seeing the fish. CrappieWhisper told me about that one. I am sure he will chime in on this as well. We are both playing around with them unitl we can get a good handle on it. I know this isn't the best way of doing things but you will leran allot from it.

[Cruz66]

Hey thanks a lot anything helps I'm total lost lol! How do you set the speed on it I have it mounted to my trolling motor not sure the speed on it?

[crappie_jiggin]

It's not going to be speed like in mph. I am sorry I may have misled you a little there. I am talking about your chart speed. If you are at your trolling motor then you probably aren't moving that fast. You would need to put your chart speed to around about 2-3. I am currently at work or I would go out to my boat and tell you exactly where and how to set it.

[crappie_jiggin]

Cruz66, look at these sites as well. CrappieWhisper sent them to me and they seemed to help some to. http://www.dougvahrenberg.com/...2.pdf

BBC Boards: Main

We are here help and learn from each other.

[Cruz66]

I'll check those out and thanks again!!

[Big George]

If you cant figure it out I have friend that is pro staff I can send you his tele number for help

[Cruz66]

That would be great big George I'm not sure how to work this thing and how do you know what are fish on the down imagining view kinda slow when it comes to electronics

[CrappieWhisperer]

Cruz, crappiejiggin is right, nothin takes the place of time on the water with the unit. Neither one of us has our units figured out yet, but its nice to have fellow fishermen to talk to about the unit. Your unit has switchfire modes clear and max, clear mode filters out everything but the strongest returns, max mode brings in every detail in the water column. I've been using the max mode to watch my jig and and the crappie. I use my unit on split screen most of the time, comparing 2d or traditional sonar on the top screen and down imaging on the lower half. I'm trying to wean myself off Fish id, but its tough. I like the depth feature of the fish id that shows the fishes depth. Also it gives me a reference to look for on the down imaging half of the screen to help recognize fish signatures on the di. One thing for sure, the 597 has so many bells and whistles it'll take you a while just to try everything out. Your best bet is to leave your rods at home and go out and play with your unit for a day. I'm too impatient to do that, but I'm getting better at spending time trying to learn. One thing that helped me, was to pull up the electronics forum on here and type in a search for 597ci hd di and read every thread you can. Learn something from one of my mistakes while I was doing that, get a small journal you can keep in your back pocket and write down the stuff you learn from the guys that have spent the time figuring the unit out. If you're like me you can't remember every detail of the stuff you read. Since Humminbird sent a dvd for an instruction manual it leaves you without one unless you order a hard copy or print one off your dvd (120 pages... lol). Writing in the journal will help you remember what you've read and probably be easier to understand than a manual. There's tons of information on the web, try the site crappiejiggin mentioned and check YouTube out too. Here's some other sites I've found. Help me a CJ out too if you learn something, lord knows we need all the help we can get.

BBC News - Home
Humminbird :: Fishfinder :: Depth Finder :: GPS Chartplotters :: Side Imaging Sonar Technology :: Marine Fish Finders
High Speed Fish
http://doctorsonar.com/pdf/1_7_10_1_Article.pdf
Unofficial Humminbird Side Image Forums www.sideimageforums.com :: Index

[Cruz66]

Hey thanks again guys that has helped out a lot plus i got a reason to get out on the water more! I'd like to get this one down before I go buy a si unit for the console. It's crazy what all these things will do do any of y'all have a map card and if so what is a good one?