i am in the process of buying an entry level aluminum boat, but once i add all the fancy electronics like a terrova and two 999ci hd si sonar. the price jumps 5k...

having a advance sonars is great i have read a lot about them, it really helps in not wasting time on the lake fishing a spot where there is no fish or structure.

so is it really worth the investment?

I think so.

Absolutely....worth every penny. It will cut your search time in half so the saving in fuel is priceless....

Give me a call when your ready to buy...I can save about a grand on what you have mentioned....

It is...but don't think you have to have them to be effective. If it makes more economical since to go with cheaper electronics to begin with, then I think you should. On the other hand, if you've got the cash to spend on the better technology, then you will not regret it.

You don't have to have top of the line electronics to find fish or structure, it was happening for years before the current crop of high dollar equipment became available. There are a lot of choices that don't end up costing 5 grand.

Why not the 360* stuff?

That is an excellent add-on and does the searching for you when sitting still up to a somewhat slow speed. Probably the best thing you can have for fishing during the pre-spawn/spawn.
Since I got the 360, I use Side Imaging less.

BTW, I have a exit level aluminum boat, been-there-done-that with fiberglass bass boats.
I have three Humminbird Side Imaging units on my 16' Tracker and the 360 bow model.
I want all the information when I am fishing that the top-of-the-line rigs have. My fishing is just as important to me as theirs- don't have to settle for less because of my craft.

All that state-of-the art stuff is nice,if you are tech-savvy enough to learn how to use it and be FAST at it,otherwise you could spend two hours fooling with the toys for every one hour of fishin time.And,those things don't tell you where the fish are,they just tell you where they AIN'T ! You still gotta spend time hunting for the productive spots.So,It all boils down to your skill level with electronic gadgets.If you are highly talented in that respect,then GO FOR IT,but if not,then don't waste your money. (Remembering the K.I.S.S. rule)

Huh? I'm pretty sure that they do tell you where the fish are. Fish arches??

Huh? I'm pretty sure that they do tell you where the fish are. Fish arches?? [/quote] Yes...AFTER you found them.

Worth every penny, I have 998 and 898. Takes a lot of the guessing out of the equation. And if all else fails and u ain't catching anything Atleast u got something to play with. Lol

Lol or you can blame it to the electronics hahah

It does take an investment in time on the water to learn how to interpret the side imaging screen, but once you get it down you can get all those hours back by consistently staying on fish. You still can't make them bite right when you want them to but if you will stick around where you know there are good fish they will eventually get their bite on. I really do admire the old school guys that can consistently get on the fish without the new electronics but speaking for myself I love my 899si hd

Keep in mind that every two years they come out with something newer and better.

thats true just like cellphones. every year or year and a half something new and more expensive.