Bob you should first ask what is your main goal with the depth finder. Bob if you are wanting it to find fish out deep the Lowrance is far better on the 2D side. I have the HDS 10 without the SI or DI. I have fish all summer without it. I should say I know my lake fairly well and it is shallow. I think if you are fishing a lot of different lakes the SI may help you fine some humps and ditches a little easier. I have heard that the Hummingbird is better on SI and Di but I have seen both on here and do not see a big different between the two on scene shots. They both can pick up Coke on a coke can. LOL I just want to fine fish more then I want to fine humps or ETC. I know you can fine fish on a hummingbird but I prefer the arches on a Lowrance over the Hummingbird. This is just my two cents

I have been looking at both also, but the wife is not happy about spending that kind of money. I did fish with a friend that has a H B 1197, but that way out of my budget. The other problem is that there is a lot of two or three years old units for sell. Like phones and computers they outdated right after you buy them.

You are correct, on both brands the side/down ducer must be in the water (no shoot thru) but you said in the original post that neither come with a "shoot thru". Which is not true, the Lowrance comes with a 2d shoot thru/transom mount skimmer and yes the lss 2 ducer has to be on the transom or jackplate. If you want high speed readings with the Bird you have to buy the optional shoot thru ducer and still have the si/di ducer on the transom or jackplate. Now if high speed readings isn't a concern then yes the bird has the advantage with 1 ducer. Either way each brand has pros & cons. I have 2 Lowrance HDS units and have thought about adding the new 998 next year on my Terrova trolling motor, Hbird has really stepped up on add ons with the Terrova/Bird Ipilot Ilink system. You can run your spot lock through the charts saved gps cords. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you missing out (that's directed to anyone).

Being a Lowrance user I'll be the first to admit Bird does a much better job of keeping their units updated, Lowrance just brings out new units and makes us fellas mad. Yes, they are expensive and I'm not sure I could ever justify the money I have spent on them (about $4K), one problem with buying used is if it dies your paying a bunch to get it fixed, this is one of the advantages with Lowrance. They have a 2 year warranty, Bird just has a 1 year.

Humminbird does have a flat fee repair of their units that runs around $400. They will repair your unit and send it back for that reguardless of what it needs.

Bob, as said already do yourself a favor and stay out of BPS. They are way too high in cost and their help will steer you wrong 9 times out of 10. I have purchases an 898 a 998 and a 1198 off of ebay in the past 2 years and all three of them work flawlessly. I got the 998 for $1200 in an auction w/free shipping.

Yeah, when it is all said and done I will not be giving BPS that extra $300 or $400. So far it seems the HB is better as far as Si and Di are concerned. and that is where I am leaning now.
I wonder how many installed the system themselves?

I have and its EASY.

I just bought my 998 through BBG Marine 1300 shipped to my door. Bird is running a special right now where you do get a TWO year warranty!

I would like to see pics side by side of the 2 on Si and Di. Not just the demos, they are always perfect.

bunker1965,
Did not see a 998 on that site. The may be out. Have you gotten yours yet?

Yeah me too! Never happens, I have even seen guys say they own one of each and they never post pics for comparison sake so not sure if they are lying or what. Heres some from my Lowrance & LSS1.







Thermocline at cursor




This is what fish look like when you are sitting still on downscan, some say di/si is worthless while not moving, I would disagree.



If you only fish shallow water then def go with the bird. Both are good and most likely you'd be happy with either.

Ordered a 998 from Universal Mania.com yesterday. 1399 shipped with the two year warrantee added.

Can't wait to get it.

Planning on installing the transducer on the jackplate as well.

Should have it done by the end of the weekend.

Speaking of Lowrance always bringing out new models , heard they will start shipping the new HDS Touch by the end of the year. Don't know pricing yet. I figure they will still have buttons on the side.

Not a suprise, they own Simrad and they have had touch screens for awhile now.