Looking to upgrade 1198 vs HDS-12

I have 2 Hum 858c DI units I am running that i purchased on here last summer. With a decent tax return I a looking at a large SI unit. I took notice of the current postings. For the cost of these things its something to think about. I have not had any issues with my 858's but an 1198 is quite a bit more of an investment. 1yr warranty on the 1198 and 2 yr on the Low HDS-12. The 1198 is about $2400 and a Hds-12 is about $2900.

any opinions on tech and spec between the two for folks in the know....... i plan to keep one of my 858's to eventually upgrade my I-pilot to I-link and thats something I am really interested in

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If you really plan on going to the I Link, I would stay with HB (I'm a Lowrance man myself) but that way you could link all of your units ( I'm guessing here as I don't keep up with HB) and share the info from anywhere in the boat right. A HDS 12 would be nice for sure but won't play with the HB Ilink at all. Each brand has its pluses/minus, difficult decisions for sure. GL

If you are going to I-Link you should probably stay with HB. I have both I really like the hds-12, but the 998si does what I want on the terrova. If HB doesn't step up when I upgrade the bow I will go with Lowrance.

Thanks......the reason keeping one of the 858's is for the I-link. The standard warranty and lack of posts about unit problems has me leaning toward the one Low Hds 12 unit. Been really looking at the message boards for tech problems with Hum vs Low lately. But.....if a good deal came around on the 1198 I would probably go that route.

I need to just print off the tech & spec of each and look at them side by side.

I'm pretty sure HB has an extended 1 year warranty (for a total of 2 yrs) when you sign up for the HB Select program after buying a new unit...

Rickie

Don't underestimate the usefulness of the ability to share data--for example, when you mark a waypoint on the side scan unit at the console (1198), you'll see it on the bow unit immediately. Typically, I use the units like this--I cruise areas, marking structure up to a 100' away (either side) on the sidescan while moving 3-5 mph. I then go back and drop the trolling motor, using the bow unit to really go over it. If I like it, I keep the mark and perhaps refine it by adding additional marks using the bow unit. Those waypoints are immediately on the console unit as well. If you go Lowrance, you won't be able to do that until you switch to all lowrance. The two just don't talk to each other.

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Originally Posted by fished-out

Don't underestimate the usefulness of the ability to share data--for example, when you mark a waypoint on the side scan unit at the console (1198), you'll see it on the bow unit immediately. Typically, I use the units like this--I cruise areas, marking structure up to a 100' away (either side) on the sidescan while moving 3-5 mph. I then go back and drop the trolling motor, using the bow unit to really go over it. If I like it, I keep the mark and perhaps refine it by adding additional marks using the bow unit. Those waypoints are immediately on the console unit as well. If you go Lowrance, you won't be able to do that until you switch to all lowrance. The two just don't talk to each other.

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Very good point

Yes Hbird is two years when the unit is registered, you will also get a number for faster service purchasing any of the 800, 900, 1100 series depth finders. Service after the unit becomes legacy is where Hbird shines in my book for any repairs after warranty runs out it is a flat fee no matter what is wrong with it, versus the other company that offers no repairs and a few $ to trade up. Hbird still offers repairs on some units pushing ten years old.

I've always liked HB. If I have a ? or a problem, I talk to an actual tech quickly. I recently had one tell me "I'm not familiar with your problem, let me switch you to a colleague with more expertise in that area". I was flabbergasted as I have never had a person, ever, tell me they didn't know and would put me in touch with someone who did.
Plus I like the clarity of HB over Lowrance when it comes to DI. And with HB, SI is built in, you don't have to purchase Structural scan as you do with Lowrance.

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Originally Posted by mervjohnson62

And with HB, SI is built in, you don't have to purchase Structural scan as you do with Lowrance.

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Structure Scan is built in on HDS Touch models.