I'm looking at some new "inexpensive" downscan units for hybrid and striper fishing. Pretty much down to either the Lowrance Elite 5X DSI or the Humminbird 597 CI HD DI.
Anyone have any experience with either of these for hybrid fishing? The Elite 5X would be about $240 cheaper of the two.
Thanks for any comments!

How does the Humminbird 596c HD DI compare to the Elite 5X?

Buy bigger than what you can afford. You won't be happy with the small screen and you will end up buying the bigger one anyways. Took the wife fishing on Memorial day, wife looked at the HB898 and reminded me of how much I spent. Some battles are just worth it though.

+1 on that. Get bigger screen

I never use my down imaging. I really don't see that much difference between it and a good color unit. Sidescan however is completely worth it. I will soon have a 360

Seriously, save your money until you can get side imaging. I rarely use my di.

I only use DI when throwing the cast net. I like the clarity and that way I make sure and not throw on a brush pile or some other object. Other than that it is 2D and side scan. Chartplotter is a real game changer too.

DI will not give you the size of the fish like 2D and SI. The return will be brighter and that is an indication of size but large fish will just be a dot on DI.

I wanted the 10 inch screen but I am pretty sure that would have caused a divorce. Good luck on your search.

I feel your pain on the 10" screen dilema

If you get a down imager you will need the best resolution 640 x 640.
I have used my sons and the detail is amazing. The more pixel the better.
The point you might be missing is a normal Lowrance or Humminbird in 20 foot depth will read 20 foot of the bottom.
A side imager will read 50 t0 70 foot or more.
Is this what you need to find the hybrid the same coverage you got right now?
All a down imager will do is paint a prettier picture!

I have too say, I have a HB with down imaging, but I have never seen images like the lowrance down imaging, / side image as those. Go to the post that's says post you're sonar pics here. There's a guy on there named Tall Bald Guy, and he has some superb down scan images!! You can almost see the eyeballs of the fish!!

Good luck
Mike

Asking for forgiveness is easier than permission!

I rarely ever use my DI. Spend your money on side imaging and you will not regret it. I have the humminbird 798 and I can see the screen fine. Ya I wish I would have gotten the bigger one, but this is what I saved for over the 597. I did not have 2-3k sitting around for the 1198.

Bssthumb. Mike ( luv to fish ) and everyone else that just got the 798 ci HD SI side image unit. I have been doing some research and the transducer that comes with the unit has smaller crystals than the transducer with the 898,998,1198. The reason is, the 798 only uses the 455 Hz and the bigger three use both 455 Hz AND 800 Hz. But after reading from a group on BBC they said that the transducer ( XHS 9 HDSI 180 T ) has larger crystals for the 800 series and up. But the good news is they said it will work on the 798 and give you better and clearer screen shots. It just doesn't use the 800 Hz but will work on the 455 HZ that the 798 uses. Here is the link on the post: http://www.bbcboards.net/humminbird-sonar-gps/256290-best-transducer-798-ci-si.html.

So when I get the funds together I am going to go ahead and upgrade to the transducer with the bigger crystals.. that is a BIG!! when by the way --LOL--. Just thought I would pass this info on to y'all

Thanks Keith for that info!

good info. Mine is not the HD model. wonder if it is compatible.

Good info.