DI Worthless?

I know there has been some debate on this site about how effective (or not) DI is. I haven't involved myself to any great degree, but didn't understand the point of view that many took about how worthless DI was to some. My experience with DI on all of my DI capable units has been great. Most of the time when I am actually fishing (not looking) I keep my screen split between 2D and DI. Neither is perfect, but I see things on one that I don't on the other and vice versa, so I get a lot of good information from splitting the screen that way. In doing so, I have also learned how to interpret things I used to see but didn't know what they were (i.e., when I see baitfish on 2D, I know they are baitfish since I look on DI and actually see them). The "big lumps" and other "clutter" I used to see on 2D and didn't know exactly what they were, I can now see clearly in DI. Guess I'm saying I like and use both in conjunction with eachother to understand what I think is down there. I really enjoy seeing a fish come up and take my bait on 2D (something that you don't see in DI). Anyway, I borrowed the screenshot below from another site do demonstrate what DI is capable of doing. I think this shot is not typical to most people's experience since a lot of understanding and fine-tuning of the unit is necessary. In the DI view (right side) you can actually see the details of the fish.

Mike

Attachment 117981

I like that screen shot. I use a DI (Lowrance) and really like it. I've got a lot to learn about it tho.

I understand that everyone cannot afford DI or SI and some cannot afford 2D but if one that loves to fish and can afford it ,if he do not upgrade himself to these units and learn them,then on your bigger lakes you are going to be left behind,small body of water with time and testing you will do OK without it. They sure can cut searching down considerable, one more thing after getting one,they are no good if you don,t use them

Wow! Thanks for the post! ( educating me some) I really should spend more time learning to use equipment! BTW, I am wanting a larger one too!

Not too worthless to me. I took these.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...690/S00351.png

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...690/S00350.png

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...690/S00349.png

verses

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...690/S00348.png

ranger, last pic, boat?

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Originally Posted by HeyCharlie

ranger, last pic, boat?

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Looks like another tree to me.

Mike

Sunkin barge on an uneven bottom

ok... Lowrance Structure Scan or Hbird Down Imaging???

Tap says hhe rarely uses DI on is Hbird. I have done some research and apparently the Lowrance is WAAYY more advanced than Hbird. I am not prejudice one way or another. But since I cant afford SI I may as well get a big screen DI unit. But I want the best one for the best price (who doesnt right?) :)

Humminbird and Lowrance both do a good job, but I have to admit I like my Lowrance HDS units better than my Humminbird 798's. The Humminbird units are very simple with only a head unit and one transducer, but the tradeoff is that their DI isn't really DI. That may be why Tap Out doesn't use his much. Hbird uses their regular 2D transducer and the 2D image to produce an image "interpretation" using software to do it. On the Lowrance, they actually have two transducers, one for 2D and another for SI and DI. They also have a Structure Scan unit (seperate from the head unit) to produce real SI and DI. That makes a big difference in the quality of the images. I have Hbird 798's on my other boat and liked them fine (and still do), I just think the Lowrance does a better job.


My $.02
Mike

the unit you have on classifieds, is that a DI unit?

Here is a couple from Burn't Mills using a Lowrance Elite 5. I was comparing 800 and 455 frequencies.
Attachment 118033Attachment 118034

Your 798 is not true DI only using side image but the 800s and up like tap has is true DI, but I don,t think on the bigger units that the pictures are that much better than the hummining.Had the pleasure of watching 3 units side by side, my 798 and his 2 Lowrance one the size of mine and the other a bigger unit, his bigger unit was no better in quality but bigger in detail yet mine pick up everything his did, I should tested mine more closely with his sm aller unit, after we left we talk about doing that in the future

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Originally Posted by undertheradar

the unit you have on classifieds, is that a DI unit?

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Yes, that includes the LSS1 which is the SI/DI module. It's complete with both transducers, books, mount (not the Ram mount in the picture) original box, etc. Same size as the Hbird 789. Just bought a bigger one to replace it on the bow of my boat.

Mike

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Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

Here is a couple from Burn't Mills using a Lowrance Elite 5. I was comparing 800 and 455 frequencies.
Attachment 118033Attachment 118034

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Bill, If you'll dial your contrast back a bit (keep mine around 64 depending on depth) you'll see quite a difference between 455 and 800. 800 will produce much clearer images in water shallower than 100 feet.

Mike

Thanks Mike I'll give that a try. FYI Everything is at default with those shots.

I like having sonar and DI together on the same finder. I really liked the Lowrance Elite 7 HDI however this unit is to replace the one on my trolling motor. I would have to have 2 transducers to use the Elite 7. There is no way I can do that so I have decided to get the Humminbird 597ci HD DI. That is another thing you have to be aware of with some finders.

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Originally Posted by Jiggin One

I like having sonar and DI together on the same finder. I really liked the Lowrance Elite 7 HDI however this unit is to replace the one on my trolling motor. I would have to have 2 transducers to use the Elite 7. There is no way I can do that so I have decided to get the Humminbird 597ci HD DI. That is another thing you have to be aware of with some finders.

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Not real sure what you are saying. Why would you need two transducers to use one head unit? If you mount one on the bow for trolling motor use, you would have a transducer on the trolling motor. Where would the other transducer be mounted? What is your set-up? I'm confused.

Mike

The Elite 7 has 2 transducers. One for sonar and the other for DI. The Humminbird only has one. This is the reason for my decision. I cannot mount 2 transducers on a trolling motor.

Texas Pete...What color setting do you prefer to use on the Lowrance Elite DSI's? Thanks

Jiggin One, Went to BPS today to look at Elite 7 HDI. I think you are mistaken about the two transducers. This unit has 2D( 83/200) and (455/80) DI, all in the same transducer and is capable of transmitting 2D and DI at the same time This is the first Lowrance other than one e/w Structure Scan that can do so. This cost 699 at BPS. Someone speak up if this is not correct....Thanks, guys!!!

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Originally Posted by Jiggin One

The Elite 7 has 2 transducers. One for sonar and the other for DI. The Humminbird only has one. This is the reason for my decision. I cannot mount 2 transducers on a trolling motor.

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Jiggin One. You should do a little more homework on the Elite 7. There are several transducer choices. The "HDI" transducer comes in two frequency configurations, "83/200/455/800kHz and 50/200/455/800kHz". Either one of them is a single transducer that produces both 2D and DSI. One is more for saltwater/deepwater (50/200) and the other is for the rest of us (83/200/455/800).
So......if you like the Lowrance, then there is no reason not to own one.

Mike

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Originally Posted by drb

Texas Pete...What color setting do you prefer to use on the Lowrance Elite DSI's? Thanks

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Hey drb. I'm really no expert, but I do know what I like. Most days (depending on lighting that day) I can see a little clearer using the blue gradient, but there are days when the yellow/green or green gradient work better for me. Best thing to do is to just play around in "settings" while you're on the water. You will find what you like best. I can say that a contrast setting of around 60-64 and a transducer frequency set to 800 works better "all the time" for me. BTW i don't own an "Elite", but have a couple of other Lowrance units and I'm sure they're very similar.

Mike

Thanks Crappie1133 and Texas Pete. I continued researching the two units and today I ordered the Lowrance Elite 7 HDI Gold Combo. Ya'll were right in that it only has one transducer. A video put out by Lowrance made that confusing. But I got it straight from the horse's mouth. I still need to order the trolling motor transducer bracket. I have only owned Humminbird's before. I like the features of this Lowrance and it offers more and seems more user friendly. I will post after I have used it a while. Thanks again.

Hi Jiggin One. Yesterday at Bass Pro, Lowrance has a protector , made of plastic to cover the HDI transducer after,mounting on the trolling motor the Lowrance product number is 000 10978-001. cost $19.95. Transducer shield has a new protector exclusively for the Elite 7 HDI transducer (their product number is TS-HDI 2), (a little costly) at $89.95. I understand you can use the bracket that is used on the transom, turn it over , bend it with pliers, and use hose clamps to mount to your TM!!!! I like using the protector from Lowrance, even tho it is only plastic, and hose clamps (hose clamps are included). A transducer is $119.00 and $89.00 is to much to prevent damage to your transducer. You might check with Lowrance about this protector. It's to new to find everywhere.Hope you like your new unit, I am strongly thinking about buying one...... Good fishing....

Mike, I just read your opening statment. I believe you may have misunderstood, my stand on DI. I still believe that given a choice of DI or SI, SI is a MUCH better choice. I doubt that DI would help me find more fish. Because SI covers much more area and by doing this it has helped me find ALOT more fishable areas. At the time I offered advice - DI units ( without SI) used to cost ALOT more than they do now (@ 2-2.5x as much), I felt that if someone was to spend that kind of money, it was better to spend a little more and get SI.
The DI I have seen/ and used really did not show as well as, the views shown here . Guessing operator error.. To be honest, I just glance at DF every once in a while once I am over struture, just to make sure I am still over it, I find myself too busy watching line,corks, etc to spend alot of time looking at DF.
This is a great post and has opened my eyes to its use and I thank you for that. :ThumbsUp Your post (s) have really helped answer some of the confusion in my mind about Lowrance SI/DI units. (and is still prevalent by many )

Edit: BTW, I was told my a long time friend would sells these things for living, "Each of the units that cost @ same, have same features. the main difference is user interface" (menu).

I do not know what I am doing wrong but I can not get any good displays like you picture. They are beauties!!!!

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Originally Posted by crappie1133

Hi Jiggin One. Yesterday at Bass Pro, Lowrance has a protector , made of plastic to cover the HDI transducer after,mounting on the trolling motor the Lowrance product number is 000 10978-001. cost $19.95. Transducer shield has a new protector exclusively for the Elite 7 HDI transducer (their product number is TS-HDI 2), (a little costly) at $89.95. I understand you can use the bracket that is used on the transom, turn it over , bend it with pliers, and use hose clamps to mount to your TM!!!! I like using the protector from Lowrance, even tho it is only plastic, and hose clamps (hose clamps are included). A transducer is $119.00 and $89.00 is to much to prevent damage to your transducer. You might check with Lowrance about this protector. It's to new to find everywhere.Hope you like your new unit, I am strongly thinking about buying one...... Good fishing....

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Thanks for the info. Was this the Richmond Location of BPS? I too am leaning towards the plastic mount. I think we will like this unit. I got the gold edition from Digital Oasis for $729. Most other places are getting $769. I also opted for the 3 year extended warranty.

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Originally Posted by HeyCharlie

Mike, I just read your opening statment. I believe you may have misunderstood, my stand on DI.

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HeyCharlie, Hope I didn't give the impression that I was posting this thread in response to anyone in particular, because that is not the case. Just sorta' got the idea that there was a lot of negativity about the value of DI as a tool. The thread was only intended to raise an awareness of what it can be capable of for educational value. Also I'm certainly not the resident "expert" in hardly anything and If I come off like that, I apologize. I know there are a bunch of beginning or novice fishermen (as well as old ones that are "technology challenged") out there that don't know much about the capability of today's hi-tech gadgerty and are thinking about making the plunge without much of a clue as to what they want or need to "do the job". I Just remembered when I was in that position, I wish that there was some source of information other than a salesman who really didn't have great product knowledge (or tried to sell you one "like his" because that would make him feel better about his purchase decision). I hope that maybe a few here have a little more information so as to make an informed decision when the time comes. I also just wanted to stimulate some others to make similar responses and maybe a little healthy debate (which some have done). I'm thinking that is what this forum is supposed to be for.

Mike

Hi Jiggin One, Yes it was Richmond BPS. I too am from Virginia, Emporia. I like the new Elite 7 HDI and I am probably going to get one from Brian as soon as I gather a couple more answers. Am trying to get someone who has a DI transducer on the TM to tell me if I can get an acceptable or satisfactory picture off the TM, at a normal speed. I wasn't putting the knock on the salesman at BPS because I was firing questions left and right.He was very helpful, patient, and knowledgeable. I knew there were board members who had transducers on the TM and were able to gather info from them. I just didn't want to add LSS-2 to just gain SI. I too am retired ,love crappie fishing, but mostly just love to get on the water and have fun with my boat, electronics, and be out of doors enjoying what the Good Lord provides FREE. I always enjoy reading everyones comments and offer suggestions if I have any input worth anything. I am learning a lot just reading this forum.Thanks to everyone .

:ThumbsUp Great thread! Just want to make sure, I had not bent yours or others here noses when I said before I feel buying DI instead of SI is mistake (IMHO)