HB 798 SI Combo / HB 798 HD SI Combo / Lowrance HDS5 Gen X with Structurescan

Hello all, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a new fish finder. I've done my research and money wise right now, I've narrowed it down to these units. I've located the 798HD and the HDS5 Gen X with the structurescan with a $250 dollar rebate when purchased together so that makes them both around the same price. I know the 798HD has everything internal, while the HDS5 you have to mount the LSS-1 unit seperate. I've not seen the HDS5 Gen X run in person yet. I've looked at the 798HD and while I know the screen is small, I just can't go with anything more money wise. I'm curious to see what everyone thought on these units. The 798 SI I've seen quite a few places have them clearanced out for $749 or so and I was also wondering if there is much difference or changes in the the 798 HD SI Combo and if it's worth the extra $250 to get the newer unit? I appreciate everyones input and thoughts on these units.

Thanks

With the HDS you will get 800 khz beam and better Down scan than the HB. You will also get a more complicated install, 2 transducers and the LSS box.

The HB 1 transducer and power wire and done. With the HB you will get better range closer to the waters surface. This is important to me, the crappie in my couple of local shallow (less than 15 ft) lakes are pelagic since there is very little in the way of structure. Seeing the schools out to the side of the boat greatly reduces the time to find the fish.

Both will let you see things you never saw with just 2d sonar.

If I was you I'd go look at the HDS before you spend your money. These units from the 798 and hds 5 all the way to the 1198 and HDS 10 cost a lot of money and you owe it to yourself to see both before making a decision.

Sound advice from CarolinaJim. You're halfway there, go and see the units, push the buttons, compare them. Then flip a coin or whatever it is you need to do.

The difference between the 798 HD and non-HD models are:
HD models have the new ethernet port, ContourXD maps, and 50channel GPS receiver.
Non-HD models have interlink networking, Unimaps, and 16channel GPS.

I'm not 100% sure but I think both will have SI and DI.

I am glad you asked the question as I am also very interested in SI units

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Superx10

The difference between the 798 HD and non-HD models are:
HD models have the new ethernet port, ContourXD maps, and 50channel GPS receiver.
Non-HD models have interlink networking, Unimaps, and 16channel GPS.

I'm not 100% sure but I think both will have SI and DI.

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798ci SI Combo & 798ci HD SI Combo:

2d - dual beam Plus 83/200kHz cone shaped beams
SI - 1 frequency 455kHz fan shaped beam...
DI - computer generated from the echo data received in the SI crystals in the xducer...

Rickie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Superx10

The difference between the 798 HD and non-HD models are:
HD models have the new ethernet port, ContourXD maps, and 50channel GPS receiver.
Non-HD models have interlink networking, Unimaps, and 16channel GPS.

I'm not 100% sure but I think both will have SI and DI.

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The 798ci Si models come with the same internal 50 channel GPS Receiver as is used in the 798ci HD Si models.

Sorry, I thought I saw 16channel somewhere.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Superx10

Sorry, I thought I saw 16channel somewhere.

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I couldn't find where the HB site said 16 or 50... Just that it had internal antenna...

I'm glad Greg added this info for us...(until I forget what he said...:) )

Rickie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Superx10

Sorry, I thought I saw 16channel somewhere.

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No problem. There have been some misprints of information from some of the retailers… Unfortunately this is nothing that we can control.