Is it worth it for someone like me, who pleasure fishes and occasionally gets in a tourney for fun?

What is the cost to have one purchased and installed?

1800 bucks for an HDS7, LSS1 and installation is about the average. Right now with the rebates you could do it for 1600, if you can install it yourself probably 200 or so less.

Depends on your idea of fun fishing. 90% of my fishing is just because I enjoy it. I never even get to enter bigger tournaments because I work weekends so the ones I do get to fish are the weeknight big bass tournaments. To me, the fun of fishing is catching and if you like deep water, a side scan setup is spectacular. I am more of a shallow water guy and typically am in 10ft or less and I still plan to put one in this winter because of how well I've seen them work on others boats I was fishing out of.

If you get the cheaper ones YES. Don't spent $3000 if you are not going to fish for money.

I bough one and OMG it rocks. I have found things that I would have never found without it. I crossed over a tire pile and my wife said why did you not buy this a year ago.

Look online at academy. They may still have the humminbird 798 for $799. That's what I have and I love it.

It's now $749!

I have a 798, still learning how to use the SI, but I don't regret the purchase.

I am not a tournament fisher at this time.

I bought a 798 and effin love it. Paid 800 for mine, don't think the one from academy comes with the ducer but could be wrong. Installed it myself and saved 150 bucks. Take the plunge man you won't regret it!

Mine came with the transducer

i might sell you a hds 5 brand new and hds 8 (the 8 gps does not ) and the side imaging box all for 2000,,both of my units got wet,,lowrance is replacing the 5 for free but want 700 to replace the 8.

YES

I have the 798ci SI combo with internal GPS and Love it. Wouldn't even consider getting any thing else of lesser value. Hope to get a 898 or bigger and put the 798 on the bow. If you get one or fish out of a boat with one and see how it helps you will never want to fish with out one.

if i can swing one, then i will probably need to find someone to teach me how to use it... lol.

Does the 798 have a 5" screen? Is it hard to see side image on that screen?

Yes and yes.

I don't think it's difficult to see. Of course a larger screen is better. Is it $1000 better? Not to me. If you have it and want to spend it go for it though.

Come on,man. You can watch "Sea Hunt" for free! Lemmee know when they're down to $200.