I have a 727 on the front of my boat and I don't have any shallow water issues with it.Also have 788 at the console and don't have any issues with it either. Me personally, I am a Humminbird guy. I thought about trying the lowrance hds series and then started hearing about all the water leaking probs. That is way too much money for a weekend warrior like myself to have a leaking unit. Just my 2 cents.