I am looking to see what your thoughts are on unit. Looking for those that have the ONIX8ci SI Combo or the 10" version. What do you like/not like? Do you use smartstrike? How would you rate the user friendliness.

I am purchasing from Shut up and fish but wanted general reviews as I am not a tournament angler but want a step up from where I am at 787 with no SI or DI.

I've had Onix units from the beginning. It has finally gotten to where you can use it on the water without too many problems. It is still not quite where i think it should be but getting close. I would suggest looking at Garmin and Lowrance for sure. Comparing side and down imaging to Lowrance I would go with the onix, at the same time, Garmin is right close to Humminbird on those features. I'm about to compare Onix to the 7612xsv from Garmin so I will post when I have true world information.

One main draw back with Humminbird is how long it takes them to release software updates to fix problems. Garmin units were just released and they missed a small thing with being able to identify which transducer you're using. This was pointed out about 2 weeks ago and I just heard a fix is coming by the end of the month. You don't see that with Humminbird, takes them months while you have a screwed up unit.

I have the ONIX 10 SI NT (new model for this year) that I run the bow 360 with. I was not interested in the touch screen models at all. I have 5 other Humminbird units.
The menu system is very different from the core units, still learning all that stuff.
Humminbird has released software three days after a previous release. I have all 14 software updates for the 1198c SI Combo.

I agree that with the core units they were able to do the faster updates but we've been waiting for the Onix 2.0 update fixes for a while, and I haven't heard much about a new one coming yet other than they are testing it. The 2.0 update was released early December (8th) and immediately there were problems with GPS, tracks, etc. Still have those and it's almost the last week of April. Also waiting for the I pilot Link fix to the spot lock, got tired of waiting for that one and I am running a Motorguide now.

I think it's a good idea to look at everything else out there. I'm worried that by the time Humminbird gets the Onix to where it's reliable and has no more bugs to fix, it will be so far behind everyone else it won't be worth having. For what I hear the next step in the evolution of consumer sonar is 3D side imaging and Garmin is already working on that.

This sux as I wanted to pair it up with a Ulterra

My Onix 10 works just fine with my Terrova. I don't have the link version.

And when those core series units had numerous updates people complained they were too often so a more scheduled release program was initiated. Since Versio n2.0 was released 99% of the concerns has been addressed and I have seen very little if any concerns. The data is amazing the Humminbird ONIX is returning and know lots and lots of people loving the ONIX and especially with the iPilot Link.