HB - 598 vs. 798

[bigjc]

Does anyone know the difference between the Humminbird 598 and 798?  Both are 5 inch screen with SI/DI and switchfire, and I cannot seem to identify the diff.  Yet there is a significant diff in price.

[bigmojet]

My 798 has 2 card slots. I think 598 only 1. Must be something else for that price diff though.

[bigjc]

Where do you have your 798 mounted?  What kind of boat?  Can I take a ride with you in it, to check it out and decide if  I want one???

How do you like it?

[Waterfoul]

Internal GPS Combo The 597ci HD Combo features an industry best, brilliant, color 640V x 640H 5" display with LED backlight. Dual Beam PLUS SONAR with 4000 Watts PtP power output, 50 Channel internal GPS Chartplotting with built-in UniMap cartography, a card slot for maps and saving waypoints and a Tilt & Swivel Quick Disconnect Mounting System. The new design also allows drop-in replacement capability for competitive in-dash models. Maximize your angling experience with the Humminbird 597ci HD fishfinder GPS system..

Internal Side Imaging/GPS ComboThe 798ci HD SI Combo features a Best-In-Class High Definition 640V x 640H 5" display with LED backlight, Side Imaging, Down Imaging and DualBeam PLUS sonar with 4000 Watts PTP power output, GPS Chartplotting with built-in ContourXD map, and advanced Fishing System capabilities. In addition, it includes dual card slots for maps and saving waypoints, as well as three programmable preset buttons to save your favorite views. Maximize your angling experience with the Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo fishfinder GPS system. This product is not NMEA2000 compatible..


The 798 is a side imager and can be hooked up to other 700 and above units via an Ethernet cable.  The big price difference is due to the side imager, which is not an option on any 500 series unit.

[MSURoss]

598 has side imaging... the only difference is preset settings, not network compatible and only 1 card slot.

[bigmojet]

I've got the 798 on the console. Its 3 years old so DI image is made up from the SI signals so not a true DI likethe newer models but still works great. Even being only 5" iI uusually run the screen with SI to both Left and right, DI and regular sonar all at same time.

I have a 788 on bow which just has GPS and reg sonar.

I have mounted on an 18' War Eagle aluminum boat.

I am between Manistee and Traverse City if your up this way.

[Waterfoul]

598 has side imaging... the only difference is preset settings, not network compatible and only 1 card slot.

I stand corrected!  Sheesh... I can't even copy and past correctly these days.   

[bigjc]

Thanks for the help guys.

Thanks for the offer of a ride.  I am not up that way very often.  I will be up to Boyne for memorial weekend, but will be with the wife, and she would not likely appreciate me sneaking off for a boat ride.

I think that for the price, I have decided that I can live with the 598 for now.  I have an older 587 mounted in bow. that I installed two years ago, and I am pretty satisfied with it for a bow unit.