I bought a new hummingbird down image /sonar. I have been tring to learn how to set it up. Sometimes while out messing with it on the water i get a pretty good setup where I can see really clear images on the bottom. Other times it doesn't seeem to be setup right. I am assuming that you have to set it up everytime you turn it on? What am I doing wrong?

Make sure the chart speed is set to equal the speed of the boat. Example:boat speed 4mph chart speed #4. Sensitivity should be between 9-11 to start with and adjust as needed.

Make sure you view the cd that comes with the unit.I researched the web before I bought mine and called Hummingbird and asked about the resolution problem in shallow water.I live in Fla and most of our lakes are shallow.I was assured there was no problem.I then went to Bass Pro and asked the saleman if they had many units returned and was told no.The major buying point for me was I wanted a portable unit.When I first got it I halfheartedly glanced over the cd and found out Icould not go into simulator mode.After my first trip out,I came back ,hooked up the transducer,and set by carefully paying attention to instructions.The setup will remain unless you manually change them.I normally run mine in switchfire mode as downscan is best when you are moving as it cuts horizontal slices in the water to create a picture whereas in regular mode you get more of a circular viewof 1/3 the depth.What I 'm trying to say is read the cd as you set it up and you should be happy with the results.Good fishing

If you contact Customer Service and ask real nicely they will send you a written copy of the manual. I emailed them and included my address had one within the week.

I did that so I could take it out with me on the boat.

I had two of the 570 DI's. They did have problems with the early models. One common problem was they did not function properly on a Motor Guide TM. Mine never worked properly at all. Mine were swapped out for 728's.

Also you will want to register it with HB so you can see if it has the latest software on it.If I remeber right when I bought mine a few months back I had to upgrade mine, pretty easy usning a SD card.

Here's some good sources for HB info

http://www.dougvahrenberg.com/Videos.html - Really informative videos, much on SI but some DI and too.

http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php - Humminbird Side Imaging Forums - also has a DI section

http://www.xumba.scholleco.com/index.php - Unofficial HB SI Forum - also DI

The 2 HB forums have people from HB on them answering questions.

http://www.jasonhalfenoutdoors.com/downimaging1.html - More DI info

The 570 DI and the 2013 year model 571 HD DI does not have a SD card reader. To update its software you need the pc connect kit. http://store.humminbird.com/products/504287/AS_PC3

Humminbird reps and Humminbird employees participate on a lot of web sites.

The Side Imaging Group on Yahoo is another one

Plus a few sites that are competition to this site and get censored if included in a post.