I am going to buy a new unit next weekend and I am trying to decide if I should buy the HDS 7 w/ Structure Scan, 898C SI, or the HDS 8 and add Structure Scan at a later date. What would you do? Thanks in advance for your input.

I would go with the 7 w/SS. Seems like the most bang for your buck.

898C SI

898C SI

humminbird

Go with the HDS 8. The screen is bigger and will get you all the options of split screens and hot keys. The HDS 7 will only show 2 screens at one time.

you can show 3 screens on a hds 7 but I have the hda 7 and it would be to small. I only do 2 screens... the bigger the better but get what you can afford

I bought the hds7 with SS and got the package for a little less then $1600. Did a credit card at bass pro and they took off $150 and then used a $20 coupon.

How do you get 3 screens on a HDS 7? Is it a new software update?

I would buy the HDS 8. I have the HDS 10 with Structure Scan and it is absolutely terrific.

I have been a Humminbird user for the past 3 seasons. I know, without a doubt, that Humminbird Side Imaging has helped me put more fish in the boat....whether I'm fishing bass, crappies, walleyes, or big toothy critters like musky or pike.

For example, here's a nice Humminbird Down Image/2D sonar view from Table Rock, collected last summer. We used Side Imaging and Down Imaging to successfully target spotted bass, crappies, and even a random rainbow trout or two, suspended in the flooded treetops:



TO learn more about how we use Humminbird Side Imaging in our fishing applications, feel free to check out this library of instructional articles:

http://www.jasonhalfenoutdoors.com/HumminbirdIndex.html

If you can swing it for a few $$ more get the 998, you won't regret it.

You can't--unless he has some new software no one else has.

i have a 898, hds 7 and hds 5 on my boat and i think the bird is a better unit