I just went and looked at Bass Pro. Both very nice looking machines!! I gotta tell you I love that touch screen on the Lowrance HDS-8 but it is not a deal breaker. The guy behind the counter was pretty helpful and I walked away from there feeling like if you learn how to use them, they will both make a great machine. I think I am probably going to go with the 899 simply for the ability to talk to the Minn Kota trollers when I upgrade my troller this summer.