Trent-- at certain depth's I will get interfence on
my HD5 up front From the HB on the console. Transducers
are 22 ft apart and that is about the depth I notice
interference-- may co-incidence , I don't know.

The interferance is not bad, I normally just put up with
it. But it does happen.

good luck

MO

Trent , Here is a snapshot I took on Palestine last fall,
Schooling Hybrids under the birds.

trust me , once you get sidescan , you won't worry too
much about 2-d



good luck
MO

Keep in mind in the pic above the boat is just drifting.
Some of the fish are moving fast, you get normal looking
blips and some fish are moving slow , you get elongated
blips. If I had been moving at trolling speed, the pic
would have been better.

MO

Wow! Which unit do you have Mike?

Doug, which unit do you have?

Mo, thanks for sharing. Those are some great shots. You've got the 1197. I'm contemplating a 998 vs 898. 998 has 8000 watts and 898 4000 watts. Display matrix of 480X800 are same except 898 is an inch shorter therefore more detailed. Thoughts anyone?

Stripaholic, The wattage was a misprint on Humminbirds part. Both 898 and 998 are 8000 watts. The only difference between the two units is screen size..

See here for correct wattage info.

http://store.humminbird.com/products/341046/998c_SI_Combo

http://store.humminbird.com/products/341721/898c_SI_Combo

Actually nothing right now waiting on my new Skeeter FX to be built.

But I've run them all! Will be going with a 1197c and 898c or 998c for trolling motor for 2010.

Stripaholic, I have a 1197SI and 997SI

What unit produced these? Thats the quality I'm looking for.

Stripaholic. The 1197Si did those images. You can get those images on any SI unit by Humminbird. Your only limited by screen size..

Looks like you got that unit dialed in.

Man, I am torn. I have been back and forth between the Lowrance and the Hb for about a month. I can get two HDS5 units and the structurescan for just a little more than the HB 898. I really like both units. The 898 screen really isn't much bigger than the HDS5 when you consider that the numbers block nearly two inches of the left side of the screen. But all of the horror stories about Lowrance's customer service and product issues scare me. I called both Lowrance and HB today just to ask some product questions. I had about a ten minute wait on hold at both companies. Crystal at Lowrance was very helpful and knowledgeable. The lady at HB was nice, but very helpful. It seemed like she was busy doing something else and my call was just something extra she had to deal with. It makes me wonder if Lowrance is as bad as alot of folks make them out to be. However, I rarely hear of product issues with HB whereas Lowrance has been plagued with issues with the HDS system since they hit the market. So what do I do? Do I get two Lowrance HDS unit and structurescan or just the one HB 898? This decision is driving me insane!

Ultimately it is your decision:) but of course you know that already.

I can tell you that a lot of TFF guys are fans of HB and the 898 has had a lot of interest since being launched recently.

If you are keen on this model,check out http://www.fishfinderking.com/humminbird%20898csi%20combo%20w/%20external%20antenna
current price is $1375
Let us know if you are interested.
By the way, we have great prices on Lowrance as well:)

Marty - info@fishfinderking.com

As FFK says, do your due diligence and go for it.

As for customer service, I can speak only to Lowrance. I upgraded from Eagle 320/480s back in October. I now have 522iGPS and HDS-8 w/LSS-1. Lowrance customer service has been superior for me. Maybe I've been lucky but when L was being bashed on here I never had over a 5 min wait; and even then most were under 2 minutes. I haven't had to call these past few months. Also, reps were very knowledgable and patient.

It's too long of a narrative about one of my calls last Falll but let's just say they went above and beyond normal service to rectify my situation.

I really like my units and don't regret for a minute getting Lowrance. But I'm sure I would be perfectly happy with a comparable HB.

Gents,
Since Linda Colt left Lowrance they had some issues. I can tell you they are working hard to correct their CS department. BTW...I am running HB electronics on my Bass Cat Cougar...and getting ready to put on a side imaging unit. My buddy just put a 5HDS on his an oh my goodness what a difference it make on imaging. You can see every blade of grass in these south Texas monster fish lakes!

just my two cents...button problems are resolved on Lowrance. prices are going crazy though..

out