Besides Humminbird or Lowrance
First I would like to say that It isn't my intention to offend anyone who owns these brands. Please don't take it that way.
I have been a Humminbird fan for several years. I bought an Onix a year and half ago and loved it But you would hope that with a machine that cost that much, It wouldn't be obsolete in 2 years. Between There updates causing problems that you have to wait on the next update to fix and them discontinuing models every two years, I'm about ready to step off the Bird bandwagon. I refuse to buy into the whole Mega is better crap because when I had the 800 and 455khz, I found myself using the 455 more than anything. So that is my issue with Humminbird.
As for lowrance, I wouldn't hit a hog in the but with a truckload of their best equipment. Will never own another unit with that name on it. I had a bad experience with there customer service years ago and will not forget it.
So here's my dilemma. I'm about to buy a new boat and naturally new electronics will be installed. I've been telling myself for the past few months that I'll put another Onix 10 on it. But thanks to humminbirds latest gimmik, They won't be produced anymore and I'm not spending $3500 on the bigger better deal.
With this being said, and Humminbird and Low rance not being a choice, What would be some other recommendations? Side, down imaging and chirp would be nice. Using for freshwater. Catfish and crappie.