H'bird down imaging FF for under $300?

The new line of Humminbird fish finders has a few models that have down imaging and lowest in the line is pretty reasonably priced at $300. Found some online for pre order @ $288. Down imaging is a pretty impressive jump forward from what we currently use and has a amazing detail. There's a few other models but prices jump up beyond what I'd pay for a kayak FF. They go on sale Jan 2011.

New models for 2011 line @ H'bird website: http://fishfinders.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/3336/Items-Similar-To-The-humminbird-997c-si-combo-side-imaging-sonar.html



570 DI
See more of what's down there for less. Select Humminbird 500 Series models now offer best-in-class, HD screen resolution along with picture-like Down Imaging Sonar.
Timber, rocks, even fish - watch it all take shape on crystal-clear,full-color 4.5" or 5" monochrome displays. With screens that size,it's easy to take advantage of versatile DualBeam PLUS Sonar and exclusive Humminbird SwitchFire technology. We're talking a beam sensitive enough to track a jig down to 70 feet and separate fish as close as 2.5" apart. Find your way using built-in UniMap or up theante with optional Lakemaster and Navionics cartography. Get allthis technology in a convenient in-dash mount, or use our Tilt & Swivel Disconnect Mounting System. With the 500 Series, big things are bound to happen!

5" Display
640V x 320H, 16 Level Grayscale
Down Imaging.
455kHz / 86 degrees @ -10db
800kHz / 55 degrees @ -10db
Single Beam
w/ SwitchFire.
200kHz / 20 degrees @ -10db
Depth: 250ft (DI), 1000 ft
2400 W (PTP), 300 W (RMS)

MRP Prices are as follows:

Humminbird 570 DI -$299.99
Humminbird 596 HD DI -$549.99
Himminbird 597ci HD DI Combo -$649.99
Humminbird 788ci HD Di Combo -$799.99

That's really sweet detail.  I'm almost kicking myself for buying a FF 2 weeks ago, but I really needed one!

Ooooooooooooooo, I likey!!!!

Hmmm....and this just after I bought a spare  transducer and mount so I can switch my Humminbird Matrix 97 back and forrth from my pb to my yak. Dang!  Wonder how this thing works on suspend fish over 300 feet in the Sound??  Bottom detail is not so important when fishing for kings, compared to resolving fish under bait.

Wonder how this thing works on suspend fish over 300 feet in the Sound?? 

Good question. In the specs it says that DI works up to 250'. Would be interesting to see what it would look like. I'd figure as long as the fish aren't deeper than the 250' mark it would work though. H'bird makes quality product.

Here's a comparison of what we use now and what DI can do.


Z

  That last picture show's a huge difference!  Dang, when I look at my cuda 250 now I'm gonna wish it's display was like the DI!
 
 

I may have to accidentally loose my old one.   I had problems with it this morning.  Then, maybe I can get one of these for Christmas, at which time there will be a Christmas miracle of me finding the old one and making it the back-up.

Man, that is pretty nice detail! and for 300 bucks.. It's large size but i could get around that.