Anyone Using Humminbird 587 / 596 / 597 / 778 / 788 / 798 ?

[Scott79]

As per the above, looking for first hand feedback on the above range of Humminbirds, really only need it for the sounder capabilities, mainly offshore waters up to 50m.
On paper they read OK, 5" 640x640, Dual frequency 500Watts etc.

Not sure, either, why they have recently added "HD" to the model number, cannot see a change in specs??

Thanks,
Scott.

[Escape with LG]

hey mate go the 798! top unit! Have seen 1 at BCF on the northside for $1198 think i paid like 1400 for mine mid last year

[Scott79]

cheers mate - what do you use yours for mostly?
Trying to ascertain whether it is quality enough to be able to identify the rubbly stuff in 40 or 50m?

[davo]

I have the 798 and have used to it in 35 metres with side imaging. It works great.

[Scott79]

Thanks Davo.
Regarding the SI at that depth, does it give a broader image of the bottom? Or, I guess, what depth is it effective to?

How does yours stack up fishing the bottom, looking for insignificant bottom changes, rubble and weed etc?

Thanks,
Scott.

[Scott79]

Anyone ????

[zakster]

Hi Scott,
I have a 597 ci hd. I use it mainly in estuary and light offshore in my tinny. Very happy with the unit. When i bought mine the si model was out of stock so i went with the hd. paid roughly 600.00. We use a furuno 620 in our bigger boat and love it. The 597 handles 50 metres easily.

Cheers.

[Scott79]

Thanks Zakster.

$600 seems like a pretty good price, been looking online (US) and the 597 ci HD is about $540, or add an extra $100 to get DI.

If I go Humminbird, the 596C HD (now 5" 640x640) is pretty hard to go past for value, and as I mentioned earlier I don't really need GPS.
That said, however, I don't think the H'Bird is affected by geofencing and I would only need the Navionics Card in Aust, so I definitely haven't ruled out the combos completely.

Scott.

[zakster]

Hi Scott,

Pm sent but it showed error when i submitted it .
Sent another.
Cheers.

[davo]

Sorry for the slow reply. I can pick bombies in 35 metres. I ahve seen all sorts of things like schools of bream under boats, wrecks and other things. They take a little getting used to but the interpretation of the shadows is very important.

[Scott79]

Thanks Davo - not sure I will benefit much from DI.

Scott.

[murf]

I have the 778c and it picks up the rope and wire frame of a snapper trap in 70m of water as clear as, also get great detail running over the wreck in the same depth

the US ones are only in imperial I believe so I ruled out buying from USA

I dislike the way they are prone to fogging up with the double screen early morning when the sun hits the screen there are remedies to this though and I will try it soon

cheers Murf

[Scott79]

Thanks to all, I ended up going for a Furuno.

Cheers,
Scott.

[Jono_SS]

I dislike the way they are prone to fogging up with the double screen early morning when the sun hits the screen there are remedies to this though and I will try it soon

cheers Murf

Hi Murf.

I'm interested in the remedies, as my matrix 67 fogs up and I would love to fix it. Plus I'm considering purchasing a 778 to use as a colour plotter along with the matrix. Have any of your remedies worked?

Regards.

Jono.

[murf]

apparently you can take off the cover and put a small satchel of silica gel in there, I have not tried it yet but have read it on here that it works. I was letting my warranty get closer to the end before i start taking them apart

cheers murf