Steelheadin360
Well-known member
So i poked into cabelas today and the Elite 5x d.s.i. chartplotter is almost $250 dollars off. Has anyone had any experince with the D.S.I. and is it compariable to traditional color sonar?
Lowrance Downscan Imaging
- Thread starter Steelheadin360
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Scrminbanshee
Well-known member
well i recently bought a elite 7 with down imagining. I have only been out on the water a couples of times with it so far and I don't think i would like to have just the down imaging. The down imaging doesn't seem to pick up as much stuff as just the sonar. I will say though that it does help to figure out what the bottom structure is. I really like when your looking at your sonar trying to determine if its a down tree or a school of fish and it spits out a nice image of a tree or fish. We will see how it works the more i learn how to use it.
Rrogers
Active member
I have the Hds7 and love it not sure on how the other models are set up but on mine I can use the down scan on overlay and it shows up on my sonar page. So you get bottom structure and sonar at the same time.
Steelheadin360
Well-known member
The elite 5 doenst have the overlay. But I was playing with it again today and you can put the DSI onto a white back ground and it looks a little more like broadband radar. I dont know how well it works though.
ReelJerks
Active member
This is exactly why the new Elite-7 HDI is gaining so much popularity in such a very short time. For our trolling needs we get the sonar we need, traditional and DownScan imaging. The two views enhance each other and you have an added benefit of the GPS. I just finished up two days at BPS Spring Fishing Classic event and by far the Elite-7HDI was the top seller. I put one of these in the back of my boat, more or less for the guests, but really like what it does, and you get the widescreen aspect which makes the 7HDI screen almost as large as the HDS-8.
Edd
kokanee-lou
Active member
I have been a Humminbird user for over 30 years, but have always kept up on other brands and compared features and prices. Well, Humminbird released the lowest priced Side Imaging fishfinder for 2013. The model 598 HD SI Combo has dual cone (20 & 60 degrees), Down Imaging (DI), Side Imaging (SI), GPS and a memory card slot. All of this retails for $799.99 on the Humm site, but can be picked up on EBay for $699.99. I have never seen so much power for so little money. Plus, Humminbird has had SI for many years on their bigger units and have finally put it reach of us little guys. No one can come near it for price and features. Next payday one will be in my boat.
Check it out at http://store.humminbird.com/products/604326/598ci_HD_SI_Combo, then do a Google or Bing search for the best price.
Check it out at http://store.humminbird.com/products/604326/598ci_HD_SI_Combo, then do a Google or Bing search for the best price.
Steelheadin360
Well-known member
Thats a lot of features for a little price! Cabelas is having a door buster sale saturday and that elite 7 is gonna be on sale. And if they have one I think think I might grab that. Thanks for the input guys!
kokanee-lou
Active member
Cabelas online retails the 598 SI at $899.99, $100 more than the Humm site, and puts it on "special" at $799! So far I haven't seen any lower than E-bay. One got away from me the other day for $650!!
Steelheadin360
Well-known member
Yea Cabelas is pretty proud of their stuff, but sometimes they have some really good sales. The Elite 7 HDI retails for $699 and they are gonna have it for $549!! Ive always been pretty faithful to lowrance, but that hummingbord is tempting.
Scrminbanshee
Well-known member
Man that is a good deal! I think that elite seven does just about everything most guys need in a unit. I think you be really happy with it. I know i am with mine!
kokanee-lou
Active member
Humminbird runs circles around Lowrance! The first Lowrance unit with built-in Structure Scan (Side Imaging) is the HDS-7 Gen2 Touch which starts at $1799. You get this with the Humm 598 ci HD SI (dual cone sonar, Down Imaging, Side Imaging, recording and GPS for less than $800. This is a "No-Brainer". Anything less than $1799 from Lowrance does not have Structure Scan unless you already have a compatible unit that you can add on their $600 module.
I thought I was doing a favor by telling the Forum about a new release that has everything for a great price, but apparently no one really understands the comparison. Every review I have read about Side Imaging says once you use Side Imaging/Structure Scan, you see a whole new underwater world.
I thought I was doing a favor by telling the Forum about a new release that has everything for a great price, but apparently no one really understands the comparison. Every review I have read about Side Imaging says once you use Side Imaging/Structure Scan, you see a whole new underwater world.
eenakoK
Well-known member
Side/down scan imaging is GREAT! It has helped us locate fish on Lake Washington recently! If you are in the market for a fish finder, I would really suggest looking at one that has this ability!
Steelheadin360
Well-known member
Alright, thanks for pointing out that there is a cheap Hummingbird with all the bells and wistles. I use my sonar for two things. Make sure im not gonna drag bottom with my downriggers, and get a genral depth of were the fish are hanging out at. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for, if you want a good sonar that is gonna give you clear pictures and actually mark fish your gonna pay for it. If you want the side imaging and the downscan its gonna add a price tag. The hole side imaging thing looks pretty cool but with the cheap price tag i wonder how strong it actually is, and how the sonar reads. I have used hummingbird sonar in the past in my dads boat, just wasnt impressed. Then he used my lowrance in my sled and went and bought a Elite 7 the next day.
If i was looking for a new sounder for my big boat i would be looking for all the bells and whistles but this is for my 12 foot livingston. just a small lake boat.
The Lucky Duck
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2012
- Messages
- 42
Yep. I have both Lowrance and Humminbird on the boat. Down imaging is cool, side imaging is USEFUL. I was so impressed with the side scan I upgraded to the 360 recently.
kokanee-lou
Active member
You are indeed a Lucky Duck!! I am thinking of waiting for a 798 ci HD SI so I can add the 360 later. It has only been out for a year and I hope the price will be coming down. Buy the time Lowrance comes out with 360, Humm should be 1/2 their price and be branded as cheap stuff.
Found a site with a great collection of DI and SI screen shots http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMk_PfGpD0o. I am happy for you and jealous at the same time. Look forward to you posting some 360s.
