597ciHD DI

[jmcm]

Was looking for a new fishfinder any input on the 597ciHD DI

[John-boat]

No real input to add.  I'm also in need a new fish finder and I think I've pretty much decided that the 597 is what I'm going to get.

I'm wondering how well the maps/waypoints/gps work.

Anybody who has one have anything to say?

[MTHank]

Yes... Please, any info... ASAP!!! I am ready to buy and this 597ci HD DI is my first choice. I think?

[Lifeguard]

I believe this is a brand new unit for this year, so you probably aren't going to get a lot of feedback on it yet.  If it were me I'd look to find a few hundred more and get the 798c si and get the side imaging as well, but that's just me.

[MTHank]

What is the difference in the "ci" and the "c" on any of the Humminbird units? I can't find an explanation.

Thanks

[ole sam]

I believe that the i designated internal gps.  Without the "i" the unit doesn't have gps.  The "c" is for color display.

[threeten]

What is the difference in the "ci" and the "c" on any of the Humminbird units? I can't find an explanation.

Thanks

ci=color,ice[can be set-up for mobile use]the gps is internal,built into the head
             c=color

[icecube]

  I have a 597ci Combo.  I bought it the first year they came out with the 597.  Mine is internal 16 channel gps. The next year Humminbird changed it to 50 channel. Mine has a 4.5" diagonal screen Humminbird changed that to a 5" screen now. Also higher resolution now on the screen.  Now they have added down imaging also, mine does not have it.  I still really like it though. Not a lot of difference other than down imaging. You will love it there are so many things you can do with them. I have Navionics cards for Eastern part of U.S. and all of Canada.  I recommend getting the Navionics card for your area if you can. You can mark waypoints on humps and other structure that you go over, and go right back to them. You can mark your routes on it and follow it back exactly.  Good when you get into fog and don't know the lake you are on that well. There are all kinds of things you can do with it.  I also set mine up to ice fish with it. Can see your jig and fish easily and it is inreal time too,not delayed on screen. I highly recommend them. And yes you can always spend more and get the next best model up the ladder I just didn't need it and/or could not afford it at the time. Hope you like it I do.

[John-boat]

Well I ended up buying one.   I'm working on my boat right now but should be done with it and have the 597 installed my the end of the week. Then doing a fishing trip this weekend so I'll see how she works.  I'll report back.

[icecube]

 John-boat did you get a chance to check out your new 597 yet?  If so how did you like it?

[bigredfishing]

Break the transducer yet?   Seems to be humminbirds big weakness, the transducer mount...gone through two in as many years on the Lund.

[slamber]

I'm on the same schedule. One mount per season. I suppose if something is going to break the mount is the cheapest part.

[bigredfishing]

I'm on the same schedule. One mount per season. I suppose if something is going to break the mount is the cheapest part.

yeah, but when it first happened, the 'ducer ended up bouncing around loose for about 3 seconds (while we were coming off plane) and it tore the ducer cord.

New transducers ain't cheap, and Humminbird customer service told us it was a non-issue that they would not help with.

oh well, the unit itself is awesome. No complaints there

+2 for the navionics chip also.

[riot609]

i just got the 597 cihd only been out twice with it but so far working great the gps is everything i wanted the nav maps are a must to have tho the base map is crap.  the fish finder works great not sure but the marking of fish not so good but i probably should play with some settings it shows great detail and fish arcs.
ill try to rember to post again after a few more uses and some tweaking. 

[John-boat]

John-boat did you get a chance to check out your new 597 yet?  If so how did you like it?

I've only been out with it once, and after about 15 min. my battery died    Should have charged it before I went out..  But in that short time looked great.  Didn't have my nivionics chip then (though I do now)  Saw some fish on the flasher and the down imaging was great.
I'm heading up north for the weekend to do some fishing so I'll report back then.  Should have some time to play around with it and figure some things out.   Hopefully it leads me to some big lakers!