Low end graph?

Looking at the Lowrance Elite 5 or the Humminbird 597ci HD. Any real issues good or bad with either of these units? IS the extra cash on the down imaging worth it? I am going from a 20 year old Eagle so this is a nice jump for me. Not sure I need the DI feature?

What do you fish for and where?

Walleyes, muskies, some crappies. Mille Lacs, Grand Rapids area and NW Wisconsin

My opinion….Humminbird

You’ll find that most people will say the best unit to get is the one they own.

I would recommend finding someone in your area that you can jump in their boat with to play with the knobs.

I don’t use the DI or Side Imaging like most people would, I use it to find structure. Kinda like air conditioning. Once you’ve had it you wouldn’t go without it. At least for the way I use it.

Both are good units. I really believe you would be happy with either considering what your upgrading from.

PS I have a Lowrance… which is better then a bird.

I put an E5 on my old boat replacing old technology a few years ago. It does everything I need on that boat. Bare bones GPS and sonar.

I have a bird 597DI in my boat
if you fish wood or weeds at all go with it
it clears up any questions about whats down there

I’d get a >>> 700 series H-bird for the cost of a 500 series <<<

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I’d get a >>> 700 series H-bird for the cost of a 500 series <<<

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X alot!

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I’d get a >>> 700 series H-bird for the cost of a 500 series <<<

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X3. If you are buying now, look to Skeeter Boat Center and their deal of the year!

I like my 597, but I also like the elite 5. I bought the bird so I can use Lakemaster, although i’ve heard the Lowrance mapping is pretty good too. Just don’t get navionics, the wingdams aren’t accurate. Lakemaster is spot on.

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Looking at the Lowrance Elite 5 or the Humminbird 597ci HD. Any real issues good or bad with either of these units? IS the extra cash on the down imaging worth it? I am going from a 20 year old Eagle so this is a nice jump for me. Not sure I need the DI feature?

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I have a 597ci HD and I love it. I’m sure a 700 or 900 series would be that much better, but this is what I could afford, and I am thrilled to have it in my boat. I found it on line for $440.00 + that Humminbird $50.00 rebate deal.I had an older 560 in my boat, so I just plugged the new one in and I was good to go,,, no rewiring or anything like that. You can’t go wrong with a Humminbird…..

I have the 597 HD on the bow and the 598 HD SI in the rear. I haven’t found a great amount of use for the DI for my fishing, but maybe I just don’t fully understand how to use it yet? I love the SI for finding structure without needing to be right on top of it. IMO, I would never get a unit with just DI for the price difference over the 597 HD. I you were to spend more than the 597 HD, I’d go all the way to a SI unit. Looking for a deal, I got one of my units from Cabelas bargain cave, almost 50% off for a small scratch in the screen that can’t even be seen when I turn it on