Helix/Solix for SI and DI, Lowrance for 2d, Garmin for livescope. My next set up will most likely be Helix front and back and either 360 or live scope in addition on bow. I like the ease of use on my Lowrance touch screen but the images just don’t hold a candle to Humminbird Mega imaging.

Humminbird dual spectrum 2d is just as good as any of the others, maybe even better

went from 898/899 birds to a full garmin setup, 3/9" with livescope and the force trolling motor.

as for si/di, easily as good as bird or lowrance even on my lil bitty ole 9" screens. livescope is an awesome upgrade and the force tm is excellent and super quiet since it is brushless. one benefit of the force is if you want to run 24v just hook up 2 batteries and go, want 36v just add a battery and go.
never cared for lowrance and ran birds since at least the mid 70s, lovin the garmin set up.

Hop you comparing the SI from your garmins to your old 898/899 birds or the newer Mega Imaging, theres a BIG difference.

I am getting back into fishing and trying to dip my toe into electronics, and have similar questions as the OP. Not trying to hijack, but just curious if the feelings are the same when you bring price into the equation.

I purchased a 93sv plus w/TD for $600 and a 106sv Ultra with UHD for $1500. I hope they work out for me, I by no means think they will be the best, but I did not want to spend the "most" either. That said, I see a lot of comparison of HB SI to Garmin SI, with a general consensus that Garmin is not up to par with HB on SI detail. I get that it is comparison of what is "best," but I had trouble with the bang-for-your-buck question. If you are looking at the 93sv UHD as an example for $1025, it seems like the direct competitor for new units would be the HB Mega 9 SI+ Gen3 at ~$1500 (and possibly a Solix (10in at $2499) if you add in the touch screen capability). When I started to tackle electronics, my original plan was to stay a year or two behind for better deals on "lesser" technology and stay under $2k (heck, I would be happy going back to a flasher, if everyone would). That said (and panoptix aside), I felt like the price and technology of a new Garmin unit was better than a 1-2 year old comparable Helix/Solix in the same price range. I don't mean this a as challenge to anything anyone has said, I am just curious if my approach is rational, or did I miss-the-boat not spending the extra 50-100% on an HB setup? Put another way, using the 93sv for $600, the 93sv UHD for $1050, or 106sv Ultra for $1500 (used) - are there better finders for the price?

Another tag along to the thread - How much do you use linking of the graphs to the TM? This is one of the biggest things I look forward to (spot lock on a way point, or navigate to a way point or route), but in many instance, it seems to be left out as a consideration. Is this just a given (i.e., absolutely match/link if you can)? Or, is it not as important, and not as useful as it sounds? As of now, I have a Terrova i-Pilot, and I am planning on a Force upgrade in a year or two.

I was a Lowrance man since, oh... early 80's. Small units all the way up to HDS9's. But I always preferred the optics of HB. Gear envy. Last year I replaced my 24v Fortrex with a 24v Ultrex, and while I was at the dealership arranging the deal, I started browsing at the 'Birds on the shelf. With no salesman involved, I independently impulse-purchased two HB Helix 10 GI/SI G3N units and said "slap these on there also." Salesman got a "wow! Okay!!" look on his face and a smile as wide as Lake Austin.

Total deal, with taxes and installation, was close to 8K, but WTF... I had the bucks and my old 2004 Skeeter liked the upgrade.

you might want to check your Heading sensor on your Ultrex maybe it lost power or Calibration?

Had it happen to me and like you said boat suddenly started hunting for position all the time now fixed the issue with the heading sensor now it works great again.

truth