Down imaging??

I think after a bunch of interweb research I've decided on the Hummingbird 597ci hd.  I would love to buy another Raymarine (have one on my sled and LOVE it) but the difference in price between the two will let me get the nifty navionics chips I want.  The big question I have is... What do folks with Down Imaging think of it?  worth it?  useful tool?  Granted the images look neat but I can read sonar returns and I'm not sure if its necessary.  Anyone with on the water experience?

I have that exact model.  I'm not sold on the down imaging yet.  I often have it in split screen mode and most of the time I'm looking at the regular screen.  I rarely have it in DI mode only.

-Allen

Is anyone using a Mark-5x DSI Fishfinder?

If so how do you like it?

willbd

So far, I am not thinking that DSI is a must have upgrade over the previous technology. Granted, the DSI I have is the only FF I have ever used, but the images I see are seldom definitive. And I still haven't been able to figure out exactly where features I see are in relation to where I am sitting in my boat. In front? 15 degrees to the right? 90 degrees to the left? As an experienced FF user, you may really be able to use the better definition, but it is still Greek to me.

Maybe the higher end models work a little better, but on Marie's boat we don't get much 'imaging' past 60 feet.  Once we hit that depth it pretty much provides only depth, and no more imaging.  That's a Mark4 though, so maybe the higher end models with more power can perform a little better.  Maybe we just need to mount it directly in the water.

I have that exact model.  I'm not sold on the down imaging yet.  I often have it in split screen mode and most of the time I'm looking at the regular screen.  I rarely have it in DI mode only.

-Allen

I seem to keep my 597 in split screen quite a bit also. Mainly to see the depth call out on returns. If I'm just bottom fishing I'll run DI full screen.

I don't have much to compare performance to though, because all the other FF I've used in the past were late 80's early 90's models.

So far I'm very happy with the 597 HD DI combo. I have been in situations where I'm in transit to fishing grounds and seen returns of one lonely ling sitting in front of his hole. Paddle past the spot, drop jig, wait for wind and current to pull me back and WHAM!

Is DI overkill, or would I recommend the 597 to everybody? Probably not. Am I satisfied with what I got for shelling out the extra money? Yeah I guess they could call me a satisfied customer.

I also have a 597 HD DI gps and charting combo and really like it. Like many others, I also use the split screen combining  a  traditional sonar image and the DI image.

I probably prefer the traditional sonar because it's easier for me to spot fish on. I also like the resolution I get with the DI part because it gives me a very clear idea about the texture of the structure. In fact, the DI image I've been getting is clearer than I anticipated. I'm hoping the surprising clarity is because I chose not to run the DI signal through the hull.

 I have the non DI 597 and love it. It is decent for battery usage too. I haven't felt the need for the DI but the Navionics chip is pretty sweet!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Are you guys running the Gold map version or just the West hot maps?

Neither!

Actually, after I bought mine, it took me a while to get used to it an comfortable with the navigating through the menus etc. I found I was spending too much valuable time fiddling with it, when I should have been fishing. I also found that the internal preloaded maps were working fine for me, and I haven't yet spent the couple hundred dollars more for a Navonics chip since the initial purchase. Perhaps I'll ask Santa Claus this year...

Neither!

Actually, after I bought mine, it took me a while to get used to it an comfortable with the navigating through the menus etc. I found I was spending too much valuable time fiddling with it, when I should have been fishing. I also found that the internal preloaded maps were working fine for me, and I haven't yet spent the couple hundred dollars more for a Navonics chip since the initial purchase. Perhaps I'll ask Santa Claus this year...

Yeah, it depends on the water. It's great for finding reefs and other structure out in the salt. My lowrance had a better base map that showed some reefs but not with a lot of detail. My new hummingbird seems to have nearly no base bottom structure loaded onto it.

The bottom mapping on the Navionics Gold Chip is freaking fantastic!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I also have a 597 HD DI gps and charting combo and really like it. Like many others, I also use the split screen combining  a  traditional sonar image and the DI image.

I probably prefer the traditional sonar because it's easier for me to spot fish on. I also like the resolution I get with the DI part because it gives me a very clear idea about the texture of the structure. In fact, the DI image I've been getting is clearer than I anticipated. I'm hoping the surprising clarity is because I chose not to run the DI signal through the hull.

See I am looking at the 597 HD Di also. I was curious as to the DI working through hull. A humminbird rep responded to my post and said that going through the hull would not affect it.

So far, I am not thinking that DSI is a must have upgrade over the previous technology. Granted, the DSI I have is the only FF I have ever used, but the images I see are seldom definitive. And I still haven't been able to figure out exactly where features I see are in relation to where I am sitting in my boat. In front? 15 degrees to the right? 90 degrees to the left? As an experienced FF user, you may really be able to use the better definition, but it is still Greek to me.

That's the part of a FF I having trouble figuring out. Especially when I see plenty of fish, but aren't catching anything.

I also have a 597 HD DI gps and charting combo and really like it. Like many others, I also use the split screen combining  a  traditional sonar image and the DI image.

I probably prefer the traditional sonar because it's easier for me to spot fish on. I also like the resolution I get with the DI part because it gives me a very clear idea about the texture of the structure. In fact, the DI image I've been getting is clearer than I anticipated. I'm hoping the surprising clarity is because I chose not to run the DI signal through the hull.

See I am looking at the 597 HD Di also. I was curious as to the DI working through hull. A humminbird rep responded to my post and said that going through the hull would not affect it.

A humminbird rep responded to your post here? That's some nice customer service.

-Allen