I have a Lawrence LCX27c color graft. It works fine, but I am looking at the side imaging and down scan. Have to keep up with the Jones.
Lawrence and Hummingbird have so many models out there, it's hard to decide which one to get.
I'm just a regular guy with a regular boat that wants to learn more about the lake.
I have about $1000.00 to spend on upgrade. Looking at the 7" to 9" model. Would I be better off to just keep what I have?

1. Should I upgrade at this time or wait for the next round of tech. to come out?
2. Is side imaging all its hyped up to be? How hard is it to learn?
3. Lawrence or Hummingbird.

2- Yes, side scan is very useful on the lakes, not so much on the bay's..

3- Neither. Garmin all the way. If you fish the lakes look up the Garmin 73SV, if you fish the coast look up the 74SV. 73 has built in lake maps, 74 has built in coastal maps. Both units have sonar, down scan, and side scan. I run the 74SV and couldn't be happier.

I've owned Lowrance, Humminbird, and Garmin, and honestly like all three. I currently have a Lowrance 7" HDI with gps mapping and down scan imaging. The gps map helps me a lot as far as locating offshore humps and ridges to fish. I mostly fish shallow water, but do like to get off the bank when on the lakes sometimes. I started fishing a long time ago with just flashers and then paper charts became available. So you need to consider your style of fishing. Side Imaging/Scan will help you learn your lake bottom. Keeping up with the Jones can be a waste of time and money.

My first requirement is to have high end lake maps so that I can navigate, find and target areas that I suspect are holding fish. Once I am in that area I will use DI or SI to locate any fish that are there.
Out in the open lake I like a fast reading good sonar to show where fish and bait are suspended. Here is a good place to use DI or SI to see if the return is really fish and what kind they might be.
On the screen display I want water temp and depth and boat speed.
With all the features of today's fishfinders it's hard to keep it simple but the less I have to look at the easier it becomes to use. I never use split screen but if I had one of those units the size of a TV set I might
FWIW, I am about to list a Lowrance LMS-344C IGPS for sale in the classifids as soon as I can get some pictures taken. This is a pretty good little unit for it's size and would be great for a bow unit or entry level fishfinder with lots of features.

For SI you want the largest screen you can afford. SI doesn't display well on a small screen. The HB Helix 9 SI is right at your price point.
If you choose this model, you can trade in the included transducer with HB and upgrade to the HiDef model for an extra $85. Do not open the transducer wrapping if you plan to do this. Search in the equipment forum here for details.

TX0303 is dean on. Get the biggest screen you can afford. I regret not spending a few hundred more to get bigger

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

Cabellas has some great deals on hummingbirds now. $1000 can go a long way.
I run a 899 si bow. Helix 10 console. Just got them and luvin it. Good luck!