I'm looking to upgrade the electronics on my Tracker boat in the near future (came with a cheap Lowrance 3in). I'm on a budget so I'm looking to get the best setup for the price. I'm wanting to put one at the console and one on the bow. In yall's opinion, how important is it to have side imaging and if you could only put it in one place would you have SI on the bow or console (or is it equally important to have it on both)? I have very little experience fishing with electronics so any advice would be appreciated.

Best bank for buck value is the helix 9si at the console and helix 9 sonar/gps at the bow. Then 2 dongle and Ethernet cable.

Forgive the rookie question but what does the dongle and Ethernet cable do?

It allows the graphs to share waypoints and transducers. The main thing is sharing waypoints. You can graph and set waypoints on fish. Then go fish to fish when you're on the trolling motor.

What is your budget. The humminbird helix are good for budgets. You will have to go to the helix 9 to be able to connect the units to share way points but that isn't a necessity. You want to get the biggest screen that you can afford. Several used units have been listed lately at good prices so there's another option for you.

I don't necessarily have a set budget at this point I'm mainly researching and figuring how much I need to save. I like the idea of being able to link the two together with one transducer instead of having to mount a transducer on the trolling motor too. Do the Helix 5 or 7 not have that capability?

The Helix 5 series and Helix 7 series are stand-alone only. Cannot link them to other units or themselves to share anything.

There is a sale right now on the Helix 10 SI GPS KVD model at some electronics dealers--$1150

Side imaging is a console technique... You'll do better with 2d at least directly below you if you fish deep techniques. But, something is better than nothing. The LowrNce equivalent are the Hook1 units, I think. Yes, link them together whichever way you go, you'll be happier that way.

Correction, it is the Elite ti that appears to be compatible with sides an displays. So, you could do an HDS at the console and the ti up front.

on a budget you can get a humminbird 1197 right now for 700 no dongle needed just a ethernet cable to hook to a another humminbird ethernet ready unit
my opinion dont buy a helix no major upgrades over the old non helix units except chirp but you only get that on a helix 12
not worth the money
compare a 1197 features verus any other unit on the same price range cant beat it not even close

Looks like I may have to look into the best set up without being able to link ($2000+ is hard to justify on a cop's salary with a toddler haha).

Go with one good multi-purpose w/Side Imaging 7 or 9" Screen at the console, move up the cheap one (or get a used 7") for up front, and upgrade/rotate later.

I don't think you'll want one transducer. I broke my trolling motor transducer and am working off the transom for both and it sucks. There's just too much difference in depth from front to rear for me, fishing shallow water. It is a nice option in case you break one like I did. Allows you to keep fishing the rest of the day with it.

You can make do without needing to connect the two units. It isn't a necessity. At the end of the day you can use an sd card to transfer the waypoints to the other unit for the next trip. You can get an 859 with DI and GPS for around $425 at Cabelas and I've seen the 899 SI and gps on sale for as low as $599. Those would connect if that is what you really wanted.

good points I was hoping when I purchased a 997 hummingbird I could do Ethernet but found out I needed the 998. Still love the 997 I am able to see the si better than the797 si . Still have the 797 hooked up with the interlink to share way points.