HB power cord and a 12V battery is a good way to learn to use it in the house this time of year. HB says that without the transducer hooked up it wont save all of your setting but it will save some. They told me it won't hurt it to hook it up that way, but i would make sure you have a fuse in it You can put it on simulator mode at start up and play with it that way. On the electronics forum there is a HB rep that is really good about answering any questions or problems you have. I run a 998 and 1158 net together and haven't had any problems with mine. I have had a 998 and a 998 HD and the HD was a much better pic and easier to see in high light conditions. I'm not an expert by any means but have been playing with them the last few years and will help if you want to take it out to the lake and play with it. getting the transducer mounted right effects how good the side imaging works. Maybe we can both learn something new