Humminbird 597ci HD or Lowrance HDS-5? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ful-rac · 02-12-2013, 09:38 AM

Can't speak for the humminbird but I'm sure they are good units as well. But on the other hand I can speak for the HDS7, which I have. Definitely a good unit, you have enough screen to better see what the heck is going on down there...not sure what lipripper was saying about the zoom...? Sure there is a zoom function, at least there is on mine and I'm sure the hds5 has the same...So far so good on my unit no problems yet, but I did have transducer trouble, but lowrance took care of it. If I had to complain about something though it would be that the chart for la jolla seems to be missing, everybody seems to have that complaint.

Quilted Germ · 02-12-2013, 10:31 AM

Thanks guys. Does anyone have insight on the 50/200 vs. 83/200 transducer in LJ?

j mo · 02-12-2013, 11:27 AM

Gregg you know you still wont be able to catch fish either way.....

And you dont really need a fishfinder just ask Julie or AAron.....

Yes I have had 2 units go bad on me but as you know I tend to focus on cleaning my fish rather than my equip unlike you the perpetual skunk(Zinger?!); but that is what I bought the westmarine warranty for.

Try the search function on the forum; the topic of which FF is best has been discussed ad nausea.

Still if you insist in letting others do you work for you I have a link for you http://lmgtfy.com/?q=hds+5+vs+humminbird+597

and
http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/ge...ing-transducer

ps
you want to fish this weekend or monday?

ful-rac · 02-12-2013, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quilted Germ

Thanks guys. Does anyone have insight on the 50/200 vs. 83/200 transducer in LJ?

You should go with the 50/200 it's designed for fishing in the ocean where as the 83/200 is designed more for a freshwater application I believe.

StinkyMatt · 02-12-2013, 01:29 PM

I had both.

First I purchased the H Bird.......Incredible resolution! Second trip out I started having problems with my depth reading. My buddy and I, both with the same FF reading a 20 foot difference right next to each other. There were some other issues, do not remember exactly what else. The connections (as stated in another response) do not seem like they would stand up to salt water too long. Returned that FF after a couple trips.

I purchased the HDS5x a year ago and absolutely love it. Once you practice with it a little it provides a lot of info and is fairly user friendly. YES there is a zoom with dedicated keys right on the face of the unit without any navigating to get to it. You can even record your sonar returns and replay them. You do adjust it a little every time you go out to match the water (as most units probably do too). In fact I like my first HDS5x so much I just purchased another one with a GPS.

Good luck with the search.

jorluivil · 02-12-2013, 01:40 PM

I'm planning on buying a HDS5 very soon, not because of its awesome features, its price or the great customer service that I heard Lowrance offers but because Matt has one and he catches lots of fish

Lipripper92592 · 02-12-2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Can't speak for the humminbird but I'm sure they are good units as well. But on the other hand I can speak for the HDS7, which I have. Definitely a good unit, you have enough screen to better see what the heck is going on down there...not sure what lipripper was saying about the zoom...? Sure there is a zoom function, at least there is on mine and I'm sure the hds5 has the same...So far so good on my unit no problems yet, but I did have transducer trouble, but lowrance took care of it. If I had to complain about something though it would be that the chart for la jolla seems to be missing, everybody seems to have that complaint.

My bad.....I need to actually read the post before resonding... I was refering to Lowrance DSI not the HDS unit, dang nomenclature, sorry for the confusion. The HDS kicks but

02-12-2013, 09:38 AM	#1
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Can't speak for the humminbird but I'm sure they are good units as well. But on the other hand I can speak for the HDS7, which I have. Definitely a good unit, you have enough screen to better see what the heck is going on down there...not sure what lipripper was saying about the zoom...? Sure there is a zoom function, at least there is on mine and I'm sure the hds5 has the same...So far so good on my unit no problems yet, but I did have transducer trouble, but lowrance took care of it. If I had to complain about something though it would be that the chart for la jolla seems to be missing, everybody seems to have that complaint. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

02-12-2013, 10:31 AM	#2
Quilted Germ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cardiff, Ca Posts: 185	Thanks guys. Does anyone have insight on the 50/200 vs. 83/200 transducer in LJ? __________________ Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first. - Ronald Reagan

02-12-2013, 11:27 AM	#3
j mo Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Encinitas Posts: 600	Gregg you know you still wont be able to catch fish either way.....And you dont really need a fishfinder just ask Julie or AAron..... Yes I have had 2 units go bad on me but as you know I tend to focus on cleaning my fish rather than my equip unlike you the perpetual skunk(Zinger?!); but that is what I bought the westmarine warranty for. Try the search function on the forum; the topic of which FF is best has been discussed ad nausea. Still if you insist in letting others do you work for you I have a link for you http://lmgtfy.com/?q=hds+5+vs+humminbird+597 and http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/ge...ing-transducer ps you want to fish this weekend or monday? Last edited by j mo; 02-12-2013 at 11:40 AM.

02-12-2013, 01:40 PM	#6
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	I'm planning on buying a HDS5 very soon, not because of its awesome features, its price or the great customer service that I heard Lowrance offers but because Matt has one and he catches lots of fish __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

02-12-2013, 01:29 PM	#5
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	I had both. First I purchased the H Bird.......Incredible resolution! Second trip out I started having problems with my depth reading. My buddy and I, both with the same FF reading a 20 foot difference right next to each other. There were some other issues, do not remember exactly what else. The connections (as stated in another response) do not seem like they would stand up to salt water too long. Returned that FF after a couple trips. I purchased the HDS5x a year ago and absolutely love it. Once you practice with it a little it provides a lot of info and is fairly user friendly. YES there is a zoom with dedicated keys right on the face of the unit without any navigating to get to it. You can even record your sonar returns and replay them. You do adjust it a little every time you go out to match the water (as most units probably do too). In fact I like my first HDS5x so much I just purchased another one with a GPS. Good luck with the search.