pitchin pigs Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 hi guys, I am looking to buy a gps/sonar combo for my boat, i am looking at the hummingbird models 597ci with down imaging and the one without it. is it worth the extra money for that down imaging??? also it says they have internal gps. does that mean you don't have to install a separate antenna? and will the gps on that model show me the depth countours of our area lakes??? i have no idea about electronics and any explanation on this stuff would be extremely helpful. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassinHomer Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 I've got the 797or 787 whichever and that is the same your looking at but with side imaging, I can download the down imaging for free but havent done it, but yes it is worth it, no you shouldn't have to buy an antenna but you will have to buy a map card for around $100.00 if you want topo information because the basic maps pre-loaded onto the unit don't have any topographical info, but yeah definetly worth it and to be honest if they would have had this unit out when I bought mine I porbably would have bought it and saved around $400.00 bucks, not that side imaging isn't great but I can't honestly say it has made me a better enough angler that I'm happy I spent that much money, although I do love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 i have a Lowrance with an internal antenna....never had a problem with as far as signal....i don't know about the other question about the lake contours....maybe someone will chime in here and help you with that one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchin pigs Posted June 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 thanks guys any more info would be awesome, that's alot of money to spend and i want to know it's something i can put to good use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJK Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 Get the Navionics Hot Maps Premium....it shows great detail. I have the the 788ci and haven't had a single issue out of the internal antenna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softbaitmaker Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 I got to Academy Sports and stand and drool over them but know I will never own one. I have a 162 Gray line Garmin on the boat with built in antenna that works great and I have a Garmin 172c color unit with built in antenna as back up if 162 dies. Been thinking about putting on the color unit but Grayline unit ain;t broke so see no sense in fixing something that ain;t broke....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 Get the Navionics Hot Maps Premium....it shows great detail. I have the the 788ci and haven't had a single issue out of the internal antenna. +1 on the HotMaps & 788ci. The down imaging/side imaging is sweet, but I couldnt pony up the extra cash at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchin pigs Posted June 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 thanks again for all the input. but can anyone tell me that the down imaging has correlated to them catching more fish and is not just a cool feature Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 15, 2011 Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 thanks again for all the input. but can anyone tell me that the down imaging has correlated to them catching more fish and is not just a cool feature wish i knew how to help ya out...try doing a Google Search.....look for reviews... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratos260 Posted June 15, 2011 Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 I have a 570 DI with the down imaging and I love it. I like the split screen with the down imaging on the bottom and the regular sonar on top. The regular sonar shows fish and baitfish better but the down imaging will show you every limb on a tree or brushpile. I really think you would do well to go ahead and get the down imaging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchin pigs Posted June 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 thanks i might just do that, it might be nice to see what exactly those blobs on the bottom are, at the rate i'm putting money back should be about another money till i make the purchase Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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