Fish/Depth Finder

[id_birdhntr]

I am looking at getting either the Humminbird 597ciHD or the Lowrance Elite-5 for my new boat. Since the Humminbird is $50 cheaper right now I was going to buy it but I noticed on the customer reviews they say that the speed readout on it is not very accurate for trolling. Anyone have any knowledge of either of these units or a suggestion for a different one? Just looking for a GPS/fish finder combo.

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[SilverBullets]

I am looking at getting either the Humminbird 597ciHD or the Lowrance Elite-5 for my new boat. Since the Humminbird is $50 cheaper right now I was going to buy it but I noticed on the customer reviews they say that the speed readout on it is not very accurate for trolling. Anyone have any knowledge of either of these units or a suggestion for a different one? Just looking for a GPS/fish finder combo.

Thanks for the help in advance.

When they say the speed read-out isn't accurate for trolling i assume they're talking about the paddle wheel. From what i understand the paddle wheel isn't accurate at slow speeds on most fishfinders.The gps speed readout should be about as accurate as you can get. My Humminbird 777c2 came with the paddle wheel for speed and it was worthless at trolling speeds...upgraded the unit with gps for speed readout and couldn't be happier. I've compared the gps speed to the Luhr-Jensen "Luhr-Speed" troll speed indicator (which is very accurate) and the readouts are close to the same.

 

[SuperD]

I think the Raymarine A57 is the best thing out there for the 5" screen models.

 

[Bduck]

I just put the Raymarine A57D on and now awaiting to get a good day to check it out. Paddle wheel on fishfinders are not as accurate as GPS. I have one on this new unit but not holding any faith in it accuracy. I am still running a Lowrance X100C color finder and have never seen it accurate with its paddle wheel. Thats one reason why I have GPS. The A57D is a split screen when I want it to be. I have plans to run it with my Lowrance FF.

 

[Mudinchev]

I think what he is referring to is the fact that when you are sitting still the GPS speed read out says you are going anywhere from .5 to 2.5 MPH, I have to agree it seems stupid! Your boat is not moving anywhere on the screen, how can you be going anywhere at any kind of speed. How ever when you are moving it seems to be more accurate, mine bounces up and down .3-.4 MPH but if you take an average it seems close. I tend to watch the action of what ever I am dragging at the time and match my speed to what I want and worry less about what my fish finder says about speed. DR fishing makes that hard when you are fishing windy conditions, but seeing your gear on top and taking an average to try to maintain that speed while your fishing. Then there are days where you don't want to maintain the same speed speed change is good, fast....slow right, left, pretty much do every thing that would get you arrested if you were driving a car.

Id like to see how the Lowrance gps read out works, my assumption is better but I haven't had the chance to see it yet.

 

[smokepoles]

Just got a 597 ci and the gps speed readout seems on target as compared to the Garmin hand held I had been using. I'm happy with the unit as It replaced another Humminbird, but can not speak to the Lowrance.

 

[id_birdhntr]

Thanks for the replies. I was referring to the GPS readout as I was only reading the reviews on Bass Pro and Cabelas and who knows if they are even talking about the same unit when they write them. I will look at the Raymarine units online as well.

I use my handheld now and even it bounces up and down when there is a lot of chop on the water which makes sense. I also need to see which one has the better lake/river maps for Idaho/Oregon where I fish.