lowrance elite 7 hdi or humminbird 598ci hd si

I was wondering if I could get some opinions from people that have these units. I plan on buying one of these in the next few weeks and I can't make up my mind. I crappie, brim, bass, and catfish out of my boat. I am mainly wanting to use this for crappie fishing. I haven't had a FF in three years and I catch plenty of fish but I just feel that it's time to get back in the game. I know this is a HB dominated forum but I would just like some reviews on each product. Any advice, opinions or suggestions are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Elite 7 HDI has ...:
*GPS Chartplotting
*2d
*DI (DI from dedicated DI crystals)...

598ci HD SI Combo has ...:
*GPS Chartplotting
*2d
*SI
*DI (computer generated DI from SI crystals)

2d will show stuff under the boat...in the regular "cartoon-like" image...
DI will show stuff under the boat and out to the side some....in a "picture-like" image...
SI will show stuff under the boat, out to the side 100+ feet, and which side of the boat...in a "picture-like" image...

Your preferred fishing style will be a determining factor in which sonar technology (DI or SI) will best suit your fishing needs...

2d is good for sitting on top of structure...
DI is good for deciphering what the 2d image is showing...
SI is good for finding new structure out to the sides of the boat...

Rickie

The Elite 7 has a 7 inch screen and will show all three options at once and will overlay the di and sonar

The 598 has a 5 inch screen and I think show two options at once

Thanks guys, I pretty much knew what each unit did and everything I was really wanting to hear from some people that had one or the other and what they liked and didn't like about them.

I'm also interested in these units. How much more of an advantage is the 7 in screen vs the 5 in HB screen?

Not sure about the 598 but i,m really impressed with my elite 7.The screen is really bright and easy to see in sunlight. This unit is also very user friendly. Basically turn it on and you,re ready to go. Great unit if you don,t need SI. Call Brian at BBG and he will fix you up.

SquirrelHunter1980, I just bought a Elite 7HDI from Brian at BBG Marine. I know nothing about the 598. I have never had a Humminbird. That being said I am sure thy are great units. THe HDI has a bright 7" screen that can show GPS, 2D, and DI all at once. It does not have SI. The DI has dedicated crystals.I have only had it out 2 times and still am trying to learn. The hardest for me is GPS as I am not into waypoints,routes, and trails. This unit will do way more than I am capable of making it do, I understand that as you go to the various pages, the unit is already set for the individual pages. The last page that shows GPS,2D, and Di can be shown up and down or over and under. This is neat. As I said I am still learning. My only minor complaint is screen schrol speed is not adjustable. This is only a problem when viewing DI and 2D over and under as it takes along time to schrol. This unit does not have SI and I knew this when I bought it. I love the DI and feel that I will get a lot from this feature, also the pre-set screens. Someone else will have to tell you about the Humminbird. I am sure they are great also. Hope this helps........Crappie1133

Since no 598ci HD Si users have posted…
The 598ci HD Si will have the same sonar and GPS capabilities as the 798 units. So anyone with a 798 unit should be able to give you feedback on how the sonar and GPS will work on a 598ci HD Si unit.

Thanks for all the info guys! I am still tossing it around and haven't made up my mind yet.

I have had the 598 since Nov. and really like it. It can have three views at one time, side imaging, down imaging and sonar or two views at a time. I use it as a searching tool at the helm, have a 570Di at the bow when fishing. The screen on the 598 is really easy to see in bright sunlight, even when turn to see from the bow. I have not used the GPS for marking waypoints and returning to them yet, only trolling following contour lines.

Don't stress. Git one of each.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

Don't stress. Git one of each.

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I like the way you think! Unfortunately I don't have that kind of money.

I want to thank everyone for their replies and I will post what I finally decide to get.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Squirrelhunter1980

Thanks guys, I pretty much knew what each unit did and everything I was really wanting to hear from some people that had one or the other and what they liked and didn't like about them.

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Myself and another buddy of mine both bought the 7Elites. I love mine, I will now be replacing the 522 on the bow with a 7elite and link them.

The thing that made my decision for the Elite was that the DI on this unit did not have another transducer to mount like HB. You bust one of those off and that will cost you several hundred to replace. Plus bigger screen. I do believe though that the HB is a little more user friendly and easier to maybe get around through pages.

I went with the Elite 7 guys and I love this yhing so far. I took it out saturday for the first time and it worked like a charm!

Squirrelhunter - Now that you have had it a couple of weeks - any further observations? I'm thinking about one. Thanks,
Floyd

does elite 7 have si? bigger screen is good, but so is si

No DI only, well sonar as well.

I really love this unit so far and I would recomend it to anyone that does not want side imaging. It is a great unit!

Mine will be here Wed.

I also am looking into the 598, I like the feature's and ease of use, Been to Academy and played with a few different models. I am saving now and hope to be shopping soon.