My input on the service at HB. My side scan had the left side just quit working. I called Humminbird tech support, explained the problem last Thursday morning around 10am. The lady said she would send me a new transducer since that seemed to be the problem. I got it at 2pm Sat. That did fix the problem and I had it ready to go Sun morning. It was still under warranty, didn't cost me anything. You can't ask for any better service than that.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Just do me one favor, buy any of the models bigger than the 798. I had one and hated it, screen too small and only puts out half the power of the 898,998,1197/8.

I bought lowrance because I hated the 798, but honestly wished I had got the 998 instead. I'll just wait until I can afford the 1198 once my truck is paid off in 2 years.

Stretch,

Why would you rather have the 998 than the HDS/structure scan you have now. I was looking at some of your pictures and they are great.

True, the picture quality is great and the operation of the unit is great.

But, the simple truth of it is my sd card slot messed up last weekend and I'm scared to send it back for repair in fear that it will be gone for a long time waiting on Lowrance. (this is based on all the horror stories I've seen posted on here, not actual experience by me) I may be wrong but don't want to take the chance, so at this point I have $1600 tied up in a unit that works great but I can't backup my waypoints or post structure scan pictures on here for everyone to see. That sucks.

Every person on here that has a Humminbird says they have excellent and speedy customer service so...

I will go with whatever Bobby likes since I may have talked him into buying his current sonars and the fact that he is back on the Trophy Tim Jigs For Life Pro Staff...

Congratulations Bobby!!

Well I bought a 998 yesterday and I amthinking about taking it back this afternoon and trading it for a HDS 10 and a structure scan. Humminbird Customer Service and All Star marine flat out tell me the Humminbird SI transducer will not read past 10 mph. So now I need a Y cable and a high speed transducer. All Star tells me they have both. I drive one hour in traffic and rain and guess what? They dont have the Y cable. In the mean time I find out that my current Lowrance transducer on my boat is compatible with a HDS unit. If I take back the Humminbird (un opened) and buy the HDS 8 and structure scan I will be spending about the same as I did on the Humminbird 998 + high speed transducer + Y cable + two less holes in boat.

I also like the fact that if I add another HDS unit to the bow of my boat I can hook it up to the LSS module and have structure scan on the bow.

Just to check I called Lowrance and was on hold for about 5 minutes, no longer than when I called Humminbird this AM. The guy on the phone was well aware of their reputation on here and pretty helpfull. He says they have added 6 customer servive reps and have all the bugs worked out on an issue with water getting in the earlier units.

He did not mention the SD slot issue you are having Stretch.

I value yalls opinion and it is why I bought the Bird in the first place. I may just sleep on it tonight. Life was easier when I just ran my 522C.

All I will say is I wish you the best with whatever decision you make. I know what I would do but to each his own.

Thanks Tim! I know you feel better having me on staff.

All I can say is thanks for your input and I have in no way dis-regarded it. It is apparent you are happy with your Humminbird. I am pretty un decisive when it comes to large purchases such as this and drilling holes in the back of a new boat.

I just cant wait to start posting some pics of my catch using whatever I install. This purchase is making me want to grab a cane pole and a 14 ft jon w/ no electronics.

I did a lot of research and even made a few trips over to Bobby's house to check out his units before getting the 898. I couldn't be more satified. Took awhile learing the unit and where to get the best picture with the tranducer but this is all part of the learning curve. I too had a bad transducer not showing a complet image on the left side. Called HB, e-mailed pictures of the problem and they sent me a new one which fixed the issue.
I went with the 898 since the only difference was 1" of screen for $500.00. Couldn't justify that.

This is my first HB and won't be my last.
I have been a true blue Lowrance customer for years and even had one of the first LCD units "X3" Don't ask how long ago that was!

I wanna be on the Tiny Tim's PS

And you wonder why?????

I told you last night Guy it's not Tiny Tim's. I understand the confusion though. I thought it was Terrible Timmy's but I now know it is "Trophy" Tim's Jigs.

My lowrance Structure scan cuts out after I hit plane as well so dont let that be the deciding factor.

The whole Y cable thing sounds like all star marine not humminbirds fault.

For just this one time I am going to agree with Stretch. I bet the Lowrance does not read on plane either as that huge puck almost has to be out of the water when on plane too or it would get torn off most likely.