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Im on a pretty fixed budget but want to upgrade how about some input from some of you guys on hereIm looking at an SI unit lowrance hds7 gen 2 w/lss 2 hd bundle for 1200 bucks ,I like HB myself I know the hds 2 system is getting pushed aside by the Touch screen is it gonna be worth the extra 3-400 bucks to go touch screen and im looking at the HB 898C HD SI for around 1500 bucks can yall give me the good and bad on the 3 units or any input on some others ....Thanks for the help .
If you go for the HDS-7 bundle you can save yourself some money by dealing with Brian at BBG Marine. I am looking at the same bundle for the 7.
can he beat the 1199.00 the the big box store in looking at
GF
From what I've read on other theads he can beat the box stores by as much as $200 to $300. I am planning to upgrade this spring and I am sure going to give him a shot. Also read that you get it within a couple of days of ordering it from him.
PM him and ask. http://www.crappie.com/crappie/membe...bates-out.html
Universalmania has 898's for $1266.72. I bought both of mine there and had no problems and very fast delivery. I originally bought one and when I installed it I liked it so much I bought a second one from them and networked them. Very happy with the setup.
I don't think the Gen 2 is being pushed aside by the touch, more like the touch is another option in their line. If you go with the touch you will need to buy a Structure Scan transducer to go along with it also it has one ethernet output to network Structure Scan and waypoints to another HDS unit. With the Gen 2 and LSS-2 you can network to two additional HDS units. I'm not sure the HB will share their down and side scan.
The HB's allow you to see anything on one unit that the other unit sees. You just go into your networking menu and select the other units transducer and the front unit sees what the back unit is seeing or vice verce. This is a very nice feature. Last fall on Shelbyville I was in the front of the boat and my buddy was in the back seat. He wasn't used to the sidescan and downscan and wasnt catching anything so I switched my views up front to see what the transducer right under his butt was seeing and as soon as I saw the brush come into view on my 898 up front I told him to put his jig straight down at 22 feet deep and bam...he had a fish on. We did this the rest of the evening and he went home a believer in the new technology.Quote:
Originally Posted by justinp61
I consider this a ford/chevy debate when someone asks which brand is best. Both brands are good units and a person just has to do some research, make a decision, and will probably be happy with either one.
I have a 788 ci combo on my boat now ,so would it be better to stay with the HB I love my unit just want to get in the SI ball game
There is nothing wrong with having both brands on your boat if you decide to go that way, lots of guys do that. The only drawback that I can think of is that you wouldn't be able to network an HB with a Lowrance but I am not sure the HB you have now is able to be networked anyway. You probably know if it can or not. Also if you wanted to swap waypoints from unit to unit you may have to do some kind of format change to get the waypoints from one brand to work in the other. I have seen this discussed on here and I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me could answer that for you. That may be a pain if that's the case. And I guess maybe having the same brand for both units may make operation a bit easier just because of the fact that the menu system would probably be similar. So now it is clear as mud huh?Quote:
Originally Posted by gotta_fish
lol i love the customer support u can get from the HB ,never really played with a SI unit
If that is a 788ci HD Combo unit than you could Ethernet connect it to the 898c Si Combo (or 898c HD Si Combo) unit if you go that way.
If it is a 788ci Combo unit (no “HD” in the model name) than it cannot be Ethernet connected to the 898 unit.
Both units (788/898) use the same menu system.
Thanks guys Im still not sure which way to go but pretty sure ill stay with the HB ,but with things going the way they are right now id better wait til I can find a good deal .
I got an HDS Gen 2 from Brian at BBG Marine for $650 after rebate. This was without a transducer, but still a great deal.
1200 to 1500 bucks is a tight budget!? Ha ha I couldn't bring myself to spend even 700! If I could afford that kind of money I would go with a Lowrance with structure scan (I haven't looked into it enough to know which model since I can't afford it). I consider HB more of budget units and Lowrance for those with more cash.
Chris
Man I lost my son in Jan. paid for his Funeral out of my early retirement,my step son attemped suicide spent 3 days in the phsyc ward no insurance,my fridge broke down.We are supporting my 24 step son ,no job at this time, got to find an extra car so he can get to work if he finds one ,so I guess I phrased it wrong im going to bindge get one .Maybe I can bribe myself to getting back on the water only been 2 times,and had a hard time on the water both times.Just having a hard time Fishing knowing my son will never be in my boat again .
Dang gotta_fish..Quote:
Originally Posted by gotta_fish
You are a very strong soul...
My best wishes to you...
Rickie
Now I feel like a jerk. Man, you deserve to do something like that for yourself and I didn't mean to sound like a smarta**. I hope that the hard times that have been slapping you around are gone and that this year you catch every fish in the lake!
Chris
Thanks man I didnt mean to sound mad i really didnt I just need a reason to get back on the water, I found a used 997si ,for $900 is this unit worth this price or should I wait and get a 998si or and lowrance hds 7 or 8 with structure scan I need to know if the 997 is just out of date and not worth it ,Greg if you can chime in Id like to know tomorrow thanks
If I could afford it I would go with Lowrance with structure scan, those things are nice.
Chris
Called BBG and he is the man now I need to decide between the hsd7 ssc2 with a 300 bundle rebate or the HB 898 c hd si 1250 ,so im probably going HB its gonna be a few more days but that the one I want
I think you made a good choice I think the DI on Lowrance is better then HB but HB`s side imaging is better have more control and with switch fire helps find fish much easer. HB menus are so much easier to use then Lowrances, I have to say Lowrance is getting better on there menus. I ran Lowrances for years and knock on wood they were good to me never had a problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by gotta_fish