Need some input on new fishfinder - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

FishinReelDeals · 06-13-2011, 08:46 PM

Got a new yak, and now am looking to get a new ff. I am looking at either a hds 5, or a new hummingbird hd series. Wanted some input from some of you guys out their, that own one already. Thanks

tagyak · 06-13-2011, 09:19 PM

i have the hummingbird 597ci hd di. i took it out and it seems to be giving me some bad readings. stinkymatt has the hb 595c hd i think and we were comparing the readings. we were off by 13 ft.
he recently went out and said that the temp reading was 89*

he isn't so happy with his so i am told that he will be returning it shortly and possibly looking at the lowrance hds 5 elite.

i am not so hot on this unit either but willing to stick it out based on two reasons: 1) when mounting the unit i had to epoxy the transducer to the wire management. so if i were to return it, i would need to purchase a new wire management and possibly a new transducer, cost for both $100
2) to purchase a lowrance hds 5 combo unit, i am looking at $700; the unit that i have now only cost me $600, so to change it out would cost me additional $200 that i am not willing to do.

if i were to do it again, i would buy the lowrance. i originally went with the hb b/c of the 4000 watts and 500 peak to peak and the higher resolution 640/640 rather than 480/480 from lowrance. i also like that the lowrance dismounts cleanly with the single cable unlike the hb.

hope that this helps. anyone else out there with a hb similar to mine i would love to hear what you guys have to say -thanks

StinkyMatt · 06-13-2011, 09:22 PM

Like Tim said, loved my last FF from Hummingbird (718). I went up to color and HD. this thing is not working out well for me. Sensitivity is difficult to adjust and my temp reading, while the ducer is in the ocean was 89 WTF. Sending it back, will try something else.

bigbarrels · 06-13-2011, 09:31 PM

hds 5 base model with Fish n Chip is SWEET! Expensive but worth it.........get the price on Anchor Express and print it out and West Marine will match the price and they offer an extended warranty....can't wait to use it in the A.M.

petemaranda · 06-14-2011, 07:31 AM

I bought a Humminbird Piranha Max15 about 7 years ago as my first FF because it was cheap ($85) and I wasn't sure what to do. The thing has take so much abuse over the years and still performs like a champ. Every couple of years, the power cable contacts finally corrode and the power cable (which is separate from the xducer cable) must be replaced for about $15.

Don't know if this is typical for all Humminbird products but this one is a rock. I wish I could turn off the water temp feature but that is the only drawback.

Good luck!

FishinReelDeals · 06-14-2011, 10:04 AM

Thanx to everone for your input. After some research I'm going with the hds 5. I'm sorry to hear the humminbird HD series is not working out to well. Thanks again!

06-13-2011, 08:46 PM	#1
FishinReelDeals Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: High desert Posts: 130	Need some input on new fishfinder Got a new yak, and now am looking to get a new ff. I am looking at either a hds 5, or a new hummingbird hd series. Wanted some input from some of you guys out their, that own one already. Thanks

06-13-2011, 09:19 PM	#2
tagyak Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Alhambra Posts: 506	hummingbird 597ci hd di i have the hummingbird 597ci hd di. i took it out and it seems to be giving me some bad readings. stinkymatt has the hb 595c hd i think and we were comparing the readings. we were off by 13 ft. he recently went out and said that the temp reading was 89* he isn't so happy with his so i am told that he will be returning it shortly and possibly looking at the lowrance hds 5 elite. i am not so hot on this unit either but willing to stick it out based on two reasons: 1) when mounting the unit i had to epoxy the transducer to the wire management. so if i were to return it, i would need to purchase a new wire management and possibly a new transducer, cost for both $100 2) to purchase a lowrance hds 5 combo unit, i am looking at $700; the unit that i have now only cost me $600, so to change it out would cost me additional $200 that i am not willing to do. if i were to do it again, i would buy the lowrance. i originally went with the hb b/c of the 4000 watts and 500 peak to peak and the higher resolution 640/640 rather than 480/480 from lowrance. i also like that the lowrance dismounts cleanly with the single cable unlike the hb. hope that this helps. anyone else out there with a hb similar to mine i would love to hear what you guys have to say -thanks Last edited by tagyak; 06-13-2011 at 09:20 PM. Reason: title

06-13-2011, 09:31 PM	#4
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	hds 5 base model with Fish n Chip is SWEET! Expensive but worth it.........get the price on Anchor Express and print it out and West Marine will match the price and they offer an extended warranty....can't wait to use it in the A.M. __________________ The shorter you are, the bigger your fish appear

06-14-2011, 07:31 AM	#5
petemaranda Junior Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 8	Humminbird I bought a Humminbird Piranha Max15 about 7 years ago as my first FF because it was cheap ($85) and I wasn't sure what to do. The thing has take so much abuse over the years and still performs like a champ. Every couple of years, the power cable contacts finally corrode and the power cable (which is separate from the xducer cable) must be replaced for about $15. Don't know if this is typical for all Humminbird products but this one is a rock. I wish I could turn off the water temp feature but that is the only drawback. Good luck!

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06-13-2011, 09:22 PM	#3
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Like Tim said, loved my last FF from Hummingbird (718). I went up to color and HD. this thing is not working out well for me. Sensitivity is difficult to adjust and my temp reading, while the ducer is in the ocean was 89 WTF. Sending it back, will try something else.

06-14-2011, 10:04 AM	#6
FishinReelDeals Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: High desert Posts: 130	Thanx to everone for your input. After some research I'm going with the hds 5. I'm sorry to hear the humminbird HD series is not working out to well. Thanks again!