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I just purchased a new hummingbird 596c hd di, and was wondering if the down imaging will actually show you a big catfish laying on the bottom like it does the bruch and timber? Or if the images it shows are preset. Also will it pick up the PVC trees?
Thanks,
Rusty
Yes, it should show you anything between you and the bottom. If it is on the bottom I am not so sure, but I think it would. It is a huge step up from the old cone. I do not have that model but I think they would all work the same. I have had down imaging and side imaging for a year now. Wish I would have bought in much sooner. I think you will love it. Good luck!
Charlie
Thanks for the response Charlie and welcome any other input from anybody else.
Rifleman, I have a 798 w/upgraded transducer. HB claims the798 has the most clear screen (also the smallest) of any unit they have. I have watched some of the videos on you tube on fine tuning the unit. Fish show up as white specks, but I have yet to see any on the bottom. My answer is no, it wont show big fish on the bottom. On the side imaging it will show suspended fish w/shadows on the bottom. I don't really even look @ DI anymore. I've never been able to get it to show pics like whats on the side of the box. Kinda like when you order that meal thats in the picture on the counter & when you gey it, it doesn't look like the picture. If it's not to late, exchange that unit for something w/side imaging. That will change your fishing life. Well worth the money. Opens up a whole new world.
That's really disappointing to hear that I figured if it was scrolling across the screen with those images on the simulator mode that it would work like that. It is too late to exchange plus it was a couple hundred more for the side imaging, and it took some real sweet talking with the old lady to get this one seeings as I already have two fish finders. They came with the boat but I would guess they are seven to ten years old. Is there anyone else that can chime in on this topic? I appreciate your response and time crappiecaster.
Rusty
I have a Lowrance DI and I am able to periodically see white specks that are supposed to be fish. I have amazing DI of structure but to be honest a really good color fish finder / Chart plotter will help you catch way more fish....just my opinion.
I am presently saving my pennies for an upgraded color fish finder and have scrapped for now my plans of going SI.
Mine is a color model do u think that will be any better, it also has sonar.
I have the 597 Di and LOVE it. I has changed my fishing completely and put a lot more in the boat. It very clear and yes I can see a lot of detal. I did just have a transducer go out on me. I want to cabela's and bought a new but before I put it on I called humminbird. The lady on the phone was AWSOME, sent me a new right away... Great product and great service for me so far.
What model color ff do you have? If its 7 - 10 years old the technology since then has advanced. Especially the software. I am completely sure your color fish finder is more than gtg though. A chart plotter / GPS is very very handy for me. A friend that lives down the gravel road from me fishes for walleye with old b&w very low end electronics and a 30yr old low hp boat, he catches them when hardly anyone else does. But he knows the lake as he has been fishing it since impoundment and he can just flat out fish. He always knows where they are. Modern electronics simply help you find fish, then its still up to you to catch them.
I mainly in the past chased bass and only used my electronics for depth and temp as I have always had a good grasp on bass patterns. The other species I am now trying to learn so I rely on my electronics to help me find them. Then apply my limited knowledge on them to try and catch them. I am wanting to upgrade to a really good color FF / GPS combo more out of want than actual need as this is not a job for me but just pure pleasure. Once my experience and time on the water increases chasing these species I am sure the electronics will have less importance. I use my DI to help me get a good look at brush piles and bottom structure, it does that very well.
Just my opinion though
with the smaller screen the fish won't be as clear (will more than likely be bright dots) but the cover should be pretty good.
Guess I'm still antique. still running the black & whites. Learned to use the old flashers & loved the instant return on them. Don't take me wrong, I've been around the new color units the last few years, they are great. They are outstanding on being able to distinguish a hard bottom/soft bottom, rock gravel and such. Also easier on the eyes in bright sunlight. But if you spend the time learning to really use the unit.... I've replaced one of my units last year with a X17. Love the bigger screen, but still in black & white. I've upgraded from my handheld GPS to one built into the unit. I've got to purchase a couple of sd cards in order to down load and put the upgrades into the unit and the antenna then hopefully still get a map card for it. The map cards are the greatest thing going fishing with some of my buddies in their rigs. Upgrading to new color units won't happen around this house short of winning the lottery. Do I want them, you betcha. Do I need em, I'll make do just fine. Half the fun is finding them, catching em is the icing on the cake:)
Here is a pic of a bait ball with the fish below (just above the 18ft line) I have DI at the console (597hd di) and a regular 570 up front. With the 597 I mostly set it up to record while I fish up front and look at the recordings at home. But you will like the DI--it's fun.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...d12/S00024.png
Thanks guys all the feedback is making me feel a lot better about my purchase. I really wanted the down imaging for the main reason of viewing the structure on the bottom as I was having a hard time seeing brush and other stuff with my old black and white models. Have someone taking me fishing next weekend on Hillsdale that really knows the lake to point me in a good direction of deep brush piles as this is my first year boat fishin. Thanks again for everyone's insight and knowledge.
Rusty