Anyone used the 997si units? I have the option of getting a 997 or and 898 and I was wandering which would be a better buy?

Same price go for the 997 ,assuming neither are new.

I disagree, the 898c SI is the current model, is more upgradeable to operate the newer accessories, has a faster processor, and is Ethernet capable to share more than just GPS data.

The 898 recently got an update to have a full screen width SI view without the data boxes on the left side. The 997c SI did not.

The 997c SI is already a model generation old. The current model is the 998c SI. The upgradeable life of the 997c SI may be getting close to the end. It has a larger display which is the only positive between those two models.

I'd take the performance of the 898 over the 997 every day of the week. The trade off for a slightly larger screen on the 997 is not worth the versitility of the 898.

Thanks for the input guys.. I have found some deals searching online. What do y'all think about:
1. humminbird 958c no traducer and a lakemaster chip used for 750. What traducer would I need to buy? I'm thinking about putting that up front. Do I really need DI? It doesn't seem too important.

2. 898si with navionics used with traducer for 1100 for console.

Do these seem like good electronics for decent prices?

Which 958c ?? There are two of them, one is a dual freqency regular 2D sonar unit and the other is the same with Dowm Imaging. The transducers are very different.
958c Combo
958c DI Combo

IMHO, any imaging is better than no imaging on either end of the boat. The Side Imaging has way more coverage than Down Imaging.

You can get a new 898c SI Combo for $100 more and a used one for a couple hundred less if you take the time to look.

I would get the 898 for the SI and performance. Wayne is right. You can get a better deal on one if you look around. They come and go pretty quick so you have to look at the good sites pretty often and jump on a deal.

Great deal on the 998 C SI at BBG Marine right now. 1329.00 for complete unit.

In my opinion, DI is great for crappie fishing, maybe not so great for bass fishing. Crappie hold to structure and most of the time that is a pretty small area, DI lets you know you are directly over it. I use a 788ci HDDI on the bow and only look at the split screen shot which has 2D on top and DI on the bottom.
Works great for me.

I use Side Imaging at the bow and see when I am directly over "structure". If I drift away from it, I can see where it is to move back over it. I rarely use DI.
I did this snapshot to show how SI will show a more accurate position of a subject. Most of the cover is on left of the transducer.

Thanks for your input!! I bought the 998 si and 858 di from BBGmarine brand new for right at 2000. Great deal I think. After getting the finders is there new software or updates that I need to download?

[quote=Wayne P.]
The 898 recently got an update to have a full screen width SI view without the data boxes on the left side. The 997c SI did not.quote]

The 997c did get this update in May.

Great, I didn't remember that was done for that unit, thanks.

This is exactly why SI is important to me on the bow. You can tell where you are on the pile. Thanks Wayne.