Hi Lil WhiteLie.

A definite MUST in my opinion, not just because of the side-imaging,but for the absolutely invaluable I-cannot-do-with-GPS that comes with the unit. However,i assume you are looking at the 997si. My 797 unit which I paid $1000 bucks for (plus the 100 dollar SSID card you will have to have features details of all lakes and navigable waters in the Southeastern US and the Gulf, and I use that too on my G-3 since I also chase those redfish and speckled trout. Plus its just darn fun to play with. I found a sunken pontoon boat on Kemper lake recently that my buddy has been looking for for 2 years. Took me 30 minutes.Another note- New units have an even better feature now called Down Imaging that can be downloaded onto older units,but I am not familiar with that feature. Surely you can scrap up enough of your wife's stuff around the house to sell on Ebay to afford this unit.HeHeHe!!! A must have! Go git yerself one. Good luck.