Fishfinder for Blazer Jet

[Sawdust Farmer]

I'm trying to decide on a decent fishfinder for an 1852 Blazer SS Outboard Jet. Obviously I'd love a $2,000+ Side Imaging unit, but I can't justify dropping that much on a fishfinder. I'll be using it mainly for catfish and general river running. Of course it depends on river stage, but most of the holes I'll be fishing around are 15' or less, but I know of a couple 40'+ scour holes.

I'm thinking Down Imaging would be nice. GPS would be good too, but isn't a must.

I've been looking at a Humminbird 581i DI. I originally saw it listed at Cabela's for $399, but I think I can get one off eBay for $329.

Link to Humminbird 581i DI at Cabela's

Humminbird doesn't list it on their website, so I'm having a hard time verifying the specs.

Any other thoughts or suggestions around the $350 price point or less? I'm tempted to go with about the cheapest dual beam Humminbird and wait it out a couple years to see what happens with the newer technology and prices.

Thanks,
sf

 

[FuzzyGrub]

DI will give you better detail over the 2D screen, but would never go without 2D. Better for IDing log jams and other structure. I assume cats don't suspend much, so a wide 83kHz beam probably doesn't help much. If it is a big river, I would expect gps waypoints would be a great help, especially when fishing at night.

I took a quick look at the current HB models, and was surprised they don't have a B&W 2D/DI GPS combo.

I am assuming this is a discontinued model, and doesn't show on HB website. Maybe a speciality model, made just for cabelas?

 

[wihil]

I'd bet it's a Cabelas exclusive. They've been known to get certain units that are only availibly to them (they've got a Lowrance unit that's like this I found out from a Lowrance rep). There was an HB 581i - but it was never available in the DI version. I seem to remember Cabelas offering a 4" color unit from HB with "DI" that normally didn't come with it. I'd be a little leery and get confirmation before I put money down on it.

For the money, if you're not necessarily in need of GPS, I'd take the extra money that usually goes with that and go to a color unit. The HB color screens are SHARP.

 

[Sawdust Farmer]

Still can't decide what to get. :?:

 

[Beefer]

I'd recommend going with a color display. Much easier to read. I hae a HB 383c that I've had for a few years, use it on my big boat in the Gulf and the intercoastal, and it's served me well. There are 2 right now on ebay, both under $300.

 

[Lennyg3]

The 570 is a sub $300 unit that has DI, and there is also the 385 which has a built in GPS, and dual beam sonar.

 

[Jonboat Jerry]

Don't forget Craig's list, I got very lucky, and found a nearly new HB 798ci SI for $700.
The Di is good feature also if you can afford it. Also, check out the Unofficial HB website for
model specific forums