Difference between Humminbird Matrix and 500?

[Wee Hooker]

Looking at combo GPS/Fishfinders and everything else asside, am partial to Humminbird. Mainly because:
1)My current humminbird ( Wide Eye) is 13 years old and still running strong.
2) I love the mount. Allows me to pivot the unit for view anywhere in the boat and take it in at days end to limit exposure to eliments and crooked types.

So searching the net, I see Humminbird makes/made a 580/595 and a Matrix 67/77/87, etc. Having trouble seeing the difference in the two product lines to be honest. Is one considered a cheaper line? Older technology? Missing /adding features that I'm not seeing ?? Any input appreciated.

p.s. Do all teh Humminbird units require an external antena?? i'd like to stay with an internal if possable.

 

[timdan94]

Re: Difference between Humminbird Matrix and 500?

I just bought the 580 and it has the external antenna. I have not used it yet but it has a lot of features for the money. I got mine for $350 shipped.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Difference between Humminbird Matrix and 500?

Thanks, the 580 is high on my list. The color of the 595c would be nice but resolution suffers. I'd have to go up another $300 to get same/better resolution as the 580 in a color unit/ 700 series. I was kind of wishing to avoid an external reciever/antena though. just something else to mount and snag lines on. I can't understand why my handheld Etrex can have atiny internal antena but these combo's require and external unit. How big is the antena/reciever anyway? (Looks like a mushroom, right?)

 

[John_S]

Re: Difference between Humminbird Matrix and 500?

While I have used Humminbird units, starting from the TCR101 days, I have not owned any of the units you have listed. I would call HB's customer service to inquire about the model lines and future of the models you are interested. A phone call is better than email, such that you can react immediatly to the answer with additional questions. Back and forth email, would take considerable time.

The perception I had was that the matrix models are pretty much done, and not sure of the 2009 plans for those 500 series. The website does not have 2009 product listed yet.

The external ant is about 3" in diameter and about 1 to 1 1/2" high. Most brands of early gps/fishfinder units suffered with poor internal ant when offered. If you go with internal, make sure you have a jack to add a external, incase of reception problems.

I would look at both of those 500 series displays in the store. Pay particular attention to the simulator at depths that you normally fish. If you generally shallow water fish, the resolution might not be as important as having a bright color screen. Keep in mind your WideEye probably has much lower resolution than the color unit.

If you are keeping the WideEye, ask HB if the ducer could work with the newer units. Also, check on the mounts. I was able to use old 3-beam ducers with my 797. The mounts only needed a $5 part to convert. Might be important to you if you have more than one boat or want a bow and transom set-up that could swap units.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Difference between Humminbird Matrix and 500?

Thanks Gents, good input that has helped me realize that (besides the humminbird mount which will allow me to view it from anywhere in the boat), my priorities are good resolution and the internal antenna. ( I like my fly fishing boats as snag free as possable.)

Just pulled the trigger on a NIB Humminbird 767 combo for $299 minus a $30 rebate. Seems like it had the higher resolution of the 580 and internal antenna/common features of the higher end 700 series. ( It's also $350 less than it's color twin 787c2i). Being that it was near 40% off regular price didn't hurt either!Even have enough $ left over for a Navionics card if I want one.


Not a ton of info/reviews on the net on this model but what's out there seems favorable. A download of the factory manual shows it should do just what I want nicely despite the B&W format.

p.s. The Wide eye will go with the old boat when I sell it however I do have a spare Wide Portrat " head unit that I just may keep as back-up.

Thanks again.
Dave



UPDATE: JUst got the unit in and it has an external GPS reciever (and clearly said so on the box!) Customer service (where I bought it sold me a line.) I'll likely deal with it for that price but I'm somewhat disapointed.

 

[John_S]

Re: Difference between Humminbird Matrix and 500?

Looks decent, especially at the price.

The Wide Portrait will need a small modification to fit your new mount. ie one of the unused connectors on the portrait has been changed on 700 series,

If you had the 3-beam ducer that went with Portrait, you could use it for a Quad-beam.