Anyone heard of lowrance coming out with side imaging unit any time soon?

The humminbird 997 still has only 2006 software on it and humminbird says Navionics is holding back on giving them either the 2007 or 2008 versions.

Any info?

Nothing with lowrance yet. I think Hum holds the paten.

If you fish mostly this area, just buy the 997 without the Navionics maps included. Buy the latest navionics chip and install in unit.

Also with regard to the patent on side imaging. They do not have the patent on side imaging. That's been around for quite awhile, since the early 50s. They have the patent on "how they do it".

buy without the chip and get the chips seperately. there is prob a behind the scenes reason for thier business decision. many years of research and formulating HOW the side imaging works... the guy who did it for humminbird has been working on it for several years.... read about it in on offshore magazine.
I dont think Lowrance wants to put the needed funds or research into side imaging just yet... Eventually they will have to, I think, in order to keep up with the competition.

Side Imaging is available in commercial units but the transducer is a towed with a cable transducer (towfish). This the technology that was used to find the Titanic. What Humminbird has done (Search US Patents) is how the transducer is mounted to the boat. They have a patent on a boat mounted Side Imaging Transducer.

Humminbird all the way.

Maybe you should add them to your signature.

well he does have room for at least two more by the looks of it.

Thanks to everyone on your comments. Pretty much sums up my decision. Am going with the 997 but doing my own on the chips. Already have 2008 maps and they do not put that on the unit anyway. Navionics will only allow the 2006 version to be loaded and I already had that one. Only a few additional changes with the 2008 on the lakes I fish the most. After scanning your replies, have saved about $400 on what I would have spent in total. Gives me more $$ to spend somewhere else. Maybe buy the spouse some new fishing equipment. She is an up and coming contender in the fishing world.
ws

glad to help!!