Looking for a good , easy to read , side imaging sonar.

I am lookimg to purchase a new side imaging sonar to replace my old HB paramount 3D unit. I do not want to spend over $1200. Please anyone using these units give me your experiences pro and cons.Thanks.Rick.

Facts before you buy. I own both HB an LOW.

The units are basically equal in performance. I have had both. The Lowrance has better down imaging and the gps a gives directional

icon down to 0.mph. The HB is easier to use out of box, but if you are accustom to Lowrance drop down menus, then it is easy to

use the Lowrance.

I slow troll at about .4mph. At this speed the HB has no directional icon (donut), making direction of travel indeterminate.

The HB is easier to install because it is a stand alone unit. If you link two units together, you must add another component or

have 2 units capable of Ethernet.

You must add a component (LSS1) to get Lowrance SI capable, however you can link 2 other units thru the LSS1 and it is expandable.

Lowrance is also NMEA 2000 capable. I am adding the digital dashboard to my HDS with the Yamaha engine interface cable. HB does

not offer NMEA 2000.

You can get 2d and SI images from the HB transducer. Lowrance requires a separate 2d transducer.

I like the SI 2d overlay feature of the HDS.

I like the HB trolling grid feature.

I like the ability to store and retrieve from multiple waypoint files using the HDS memory management.

The HDS gps and down imaging made the difference for me because of my fishing tactics.

I don't get into the customer service combat zone. Both Lowrance and HB have been good to me.

These are facts, not BS.

I too was looking into a less expensive way to get into SI.
I have been reserching this for months and virtually eveyone ones advice was to buy the biggest unit you can. I won't pick a brand but I have to agree I decide to add a few more bucks to the pot. Simply the bigger screen will allow more detail.
Good luck in your search. Both brands have some great features.

If i could say what I think and the words come out right. I would have said what cane pole said, good advice is hard to come by. and you will get good advice on CRAPPIE DOT COM. keep up the search you will be glad you did

I really appreciate all the help yall are giving me. As far as resolution of the images, does one brand out do the other?And does any company out there offer units that do not have gps?

In that price range.. I would add another $100 and get the 898. I got it any love it. Another $400 would get you a 998 with bigger screen which would be even better. If you slow troll alot... Might want to look at Lowrance but I think they might be out of your price range. I am not sure on lowrance. All I can say is I have a 898 and it is wonderful...

DoubleG

I'm leaning toward the 798 or the 898.It all depends on how much money I can skim without the ol' lady finding out.LOL.

I have not gotten into either unit yet, and the homework continues. From what I've learned, the bigger screen of the 898 makes it more user friendly to see smaller detail over the 798 with it's smaller screen. As far as the rest of the info offered thus far, I'd lay money on Canepoles post.

I owned a 797 and was really dissappointed with it. Not because it didn't perform, but because the 5" screen made it impossible to view the detail that it is capable of revealing. I've told several folks that it's a waste of money to get a 798, only due to the screen size. Plus, what Cane Pole said. :)

Wannabe...

I have used both Lowrance and Humminbird and once you learn what you are doing and seeing they both perform pretty much equally. One's a bit better in one area and the other a bit better in another area. I prefer the Humminbirds because the operating menu's are easier for me. It's a bit more user friendly unless you are more of a geek than I am. It's also a little cheaper to go Humminbird. Whatever you get, get the biggest screen you can.

A hint if you are an electronics nut like me. I kept my old Lowrance unit and use it in only GPS mode alongside my SI unit that I split screen with regular 2d sonar and sidescan most of the time. That way I have all three screens open at the same time without losing any size. Truthfully I rarely use the downscan mode because I can see what I need to with out it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...1042/lucky.jpg

My setup with both units.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...garcropped.png

One of my brushpiles with fish after two weeks. (Unfortunately they were'nt crappie)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../2acropped.jpg

These were Crappie. Limited out in 2 hours.

Great Post Cane Pole.

I use Lowrance now, and I'm the opposite of Mr. Paty in that I use Down Imaging over 2d 99% of the time. There no interpretation when using down imaging, as you see exactly what's under the transducer, not just 8-bit looking blobs.