My HB 596c DI just ate another transducer today. I dropped the TM into the water at just about the same place at Ray Bob that the first transducer went out. Lo and behold, the head unit said transducer not connected. After some fiddling with it I got it to read depth but the 2D sonar was unreadable and the DI didn't show much detail. It had been working all day until then. Cable is intact and I didn't hit the 'ducer on anything. I seem to have bad luck with HB transducers.
On that note, since my 998 HDSI needs to be factory repaired, I'm highly considering a switch to Lowrance or Garmin. Are their transducers and units any beefier or less prone to failure? I've had a Lowrance in the past that had zero issues. All the 'Birds I've had I've had problems with. Not sure if I want to stick with them.
Does Lowrance have a SI unit that doesn't require a separate structure scan box?

Yes. Either a Gen2 Touch or Gen 3 unit can run side imaging. Transducer cable connects directly to the unit itself.

Ok correct me if I'm wrong, I seem to remember that the Lowrance units required 2 transducers? One was strictly for side imaging and the primary was 2D and down imaging?

You can buy an elite model that comes with a transducer that does all 3 in 1, called a totalscan. The Hds lineup has several different options and i don't feel like typing them all out.

Ok so I'm still trying to sort out all that Lowrance has to offer. My main point at this time is how many 'ducers am I going to have to install to get structure scan on the console. I'm thinking at this point about an HDS 9" Gen 2 at the console and an Elite 7TI at the bow. I typically only use DI at the front BUT if I can network the two I'd like to be able to look at the SI image every once in a while.......tell me how to do this?