Newbie here, thinking of buying first si unit.

[fishinmagician]

Been out of the fishing game for many years after losing all in a garage fire. A trip to pymatuning last year reminded me of how much i missed the crappie and walleye fishing. So i bought a boat in the fall, and need to put a fish finder on it. My, how they have changed in the last 10 years or so. Last unit i ever owned was a fishmark480. I would love to put a larger screen humminbird on it, but i also have to spring for a trolling motor for the front. I thought i had it narrowed down to a HB 698, but today the nearby Gander Mountain has the HB 798ci hd si for 649.99 and a 50 dollar rebate. Figured if I liked si and di, in a year or two i would get a larger unit and throw the smaller one up on the trolling motor. It also looked to me that the 798 had a little wider screen to it. I guess what i really want to know, is there any real advantage the 698 has over the lower priced 798, or am i approaching this all bass ackwards, and look for a unit that may not be so complicated for a first time user.

[Greenwing]

The 798 is Ethernet capable the 698 is not. If you plan on adding another unit in the future and would like to share waypoints I would go with the 798.

[rnvinc]

The 798 is Ethernet compatible "IF" it's the 798c HD SI Combo...(note the HD in the model name)...

The older 798c SI Combo and 798ci SI Combo are not Ethernet compatible (no HD in the model name)...

Rickie

[fishinmagician]

Thanks guys. Will be ordering it today. Price seems very good compared to what i have seen at other places during last nights' search.

[Stymie]

Check with Brian at BBG Marine or Shut up and Fish before you order. They are board sponsors and seem to beat out most other folks on pricing.

[MonteSS]

Isn't the 798 being phased out. Probably why they are so cheap lately.

Nice unit but Si on that little screen you better have good eyes.

[rnvinc]

Isn't the 798 being phased out. Probably why they are so cheap lately.

Nice unit but Si on that little screen you better have good eyes.

Yup...when the dealers are out of the 798's...that's the end of that series HB SI..

The new 2014 model 899ci HD SI Combo is being unofficially labeled "the new wide screen 700 series SI"..

Rickie

[fishinmagician]

Stymie-- The eyes aren't young any more, but the price was very good. $599 after rebate and it has a little wider screen than the 698 i was going to get. Can' spring for the bigger unit yet. Just concerned about the outboard getting in the way. Wish my motor had power trim.

[Greenwing]

Stymie-- The eyes aren't young any more, but the price was very good. $599 after rebate and it has a little wider screen than the 698 i was going to get. Can' spring for the bigger unit yet. Just concerned about the outboard getting in the way. Wish my motor had power trim.

You definitely got your money worth. Best value for a 5 inch Hummingbird.