Fish Finders

Looking at getting a sonar/gps, specificaly the humminbird 597ci.  I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this model or the 587ci.  Also looking for any other suggestions.

I have been using the 587ci all season.  So far so good.  Seems like a lot of people have issues with Hummingbird, but for me  it's all been positive.  I didn't think that paying extra for the 597 was worth it and I'm glad I didn't buy it.  The 587 has everything I need.  The graphics are great, though on some days with heavy glare the screen can be difficult to read.  I have not baptised this unit but it has taken its share of salt spray, as well as a couple good beat downs by ling tails.  I use copious amounts of dielectric grease on the pins and this has lead to premature disconnects while fishing.  Now I use less grease.  The GPS/ff unit is the only way to roll.  I really enjoy the drift indicator/bottom graph on this unit, allows me to see both at the same time.  It makes getting right back to ones original location a breeze.  This unit does seem to suck the juice.  I have the 12v 7amp battery, and that will last me around 12 hrs.  When the batters was new it lasted twice that long.  Plain and simple; fishing with a quality ff is just more fun.
Tim

Thanks for the info.  I wasn't sure if the extra 100 bucks was worth it or not for the 597.  I think i'm going to go for the 587 as well.

Color is a battery sucker.  I use a 580c...it has been bomb-proof.

i personally had two hummingbirds go out on me and got tired of it and switched to lowrance. i think the graphics are better and it gets alot of abuse.  Granted Lowrance is more expensive so a cheaper road would be to buy an Eagle which is owned by lowrance, but cheaper.  Again this is just my personal experience with hummingbird


Hope it helps,

Mike

Well I went ahead and bought the 587ci, hope it works out.  Any do's or dont's on the installation?

A buddy of mine has the Eagle Cuda 250 and swears by it...I'm considering getting the same one.  I've only heard negative things about Humminbird, but never used one.

get the eagle

Do think ahead.  Don't mess  it up.
Feel free to contact me for any help.
Tim

if your kayak is a sit on top make sure not to leave the hole for the fish finder cable to the transducer open.  If you leave it open the water will keep washing in and sink you.

Thanks for the tips.  I'll get some grommets, silicone and a six pack of sierra nevada hopefully it will go well.