Finally got the new unit installed and was able to get out.
Observations:
-I find the green SI screen shows up the best with polarized glasses on
-The SI images on the screen look a lot different in the real world than on the internet. The images posted are much larger than whats actually on the screen. I played with the scanning distance and settled on the 75 to 85 ft range.
-The GPS is awesome, I love how it tracks your paths and the Navionics lake map is the bomb. Those 1' contours are ridiculous. I was able to eliminate a mile of docks in minutes and this used to take hours
-Short docks that are closed to the bank, the SI appears dark and I had a hard time seeing what was under the dock. I know this dock is full of brush and I couldnt see it. Is this just a setting that I have messed up?
-When tracking back to a GPS waypoint, it gives you an arrival alarm. Does this mean the object is directly under the boat?
-GPS speed on the screen,is this the accurate boat speed?
All in all what an awesome unit. One trip has changed the way I fish. Still have a lot of learning to do though. Also, thanks to Doug V.,his advice has been invaluable and I was able to set my unit up within minutes of being on the water.

The Arrival Alarm is set in the Alarm Menu and depends on where you have the distance set. The Closer the more on top of the structure.

That is the speed the GPS Receiver is travelling so it will be boat speed if mounted to the boat.

Thanks for the comments and I can help more let me know.

Doug, as far as the scanning distance, how far can you go down before you lose image quality? The quality still seemed to be pretty good at 75-85ft but I would like to go lower. Im still getting used to the object on the screen versus its size in the real world. Thanks.

I've run to 50' and get really good returns but my personal preference is 100' on a 997c.

Man, you must have good eyes. Is this because you can cover more area in a shorter time or the picture is just clearer?

Both.

You should scan 3 times the depth of the water you are in. IF you are in 30 feet of water scan 90 feet. You will get better quality readings.

Also try to match your chart speed with boat speed. Try to stay on 800 freq when in 20 feet or less. A guy by the name of Quicksilver on here knows a lot about them and he helped me out a lot.

Thanks guys. Chad that is an interesting go by with the scanning distance. Its imperative you match chart speed to boat speed to get the unit to work right. I did see this first hand. 3 was a good setting for me.

My personal preference is to leave on 100' all the time so I can size fish no matter the depth. If you change the Area of Coverage it changes the relationship aspects and harder to size the fish and compare.

I totally disagree with 800kHz in less than 20' because 800 kHz only has 110� of coverage where as the 455kHz coverage are is 180� which will show you more out to the sides and all of the water column versus the more bottom focused 800 kHz

Coverage might be less but 800 shows fish better then 455. Try it out

I've used 800 alot but the coverage area of all the water column will show more especially if you use SI Enhance in conjunction will show (In My Opinion More Fish) than 800kHz that is covering approximately 55� to each side of the boat.