down imaging FF or basic model?

Hi All,
I've searched around here a good bit, but still would like your collective wisdom. I'm looking at a hummingbird ff. either the PiranhaMAX 195c, or one of the models that have the down imaging technology. Is the down imaging worth the extra $?
Additionally, does anyone have hand on experience with the PiranhaMAX 195c? If so whats your review of it?
Many thanks,
Ben

The units with the DI are in a whole different category over the PiranhaMAX 195c. I use the 788 Ci and my fishing buddy just got the 788 HD with down imaging. I am so jealous. Going up from 1600 watts to 4000 watts of power and the bigger screen makes a huge difference, worth it imo.  If you just want to find dropoffs and rockpiles in the salt the smaller units are fine, and the Lowrance Mark V is great value for that. But if you want to see bait, thermoclines, even your lure bouncing on the bottom 60 feet down go with one of the units that have 4000 watts peak-to-peak power. If you fish a lot of lakes the chip slot is great, but you need to step up to at least the 500 series and above. Knowing the lake bathymetry before you even wet a line will save you a lot of time and tackle finding the sweet spot in the lake.

In the end it's all just bigger and better toys, but be careful once you go up you'll never be satisfied with a lower model again.

... I use the 788 Ci and my fishing buddy just got the 788 HD with down imaging. I am so jealous. Going up from 1600 watts to 4000 watts of power and the bigger screen makes a huge difference, worth it imo. ...

The 788ci is 4000W peak to peak. Check the Specifications section of your manual.

Thanks for the input.
I'm not a lake guy. I would be using this for the salt, IDing structure, bait, and ideally fish...
With that said would the down immaging be worth the extra $?

Thanks for the input.
I'm not a lake guy. I would be using this for the salt, IDing structure, bait, and ideally fish...
With that said would the down immaging be worth the extra $?

IMO ... no.

I've been running my DI unit in split screen mode for the past few months.  To me, the DI is not buying me anything I'm not already seeing (and looking for) on my regular view.

-Allen

DI seems to shine for bass fishing, but it's cool to look at the kelp formations if you're not catching much.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Thanks for the input! This is leading me towards the 196c: http://store.humminbird.com/products/604334/PiranhaMAX_195c
There aren't too many reviews of it online. Have any of you used it?
Thanks again!
Ben