A while back I was thinking of upgrading from a traditional black and white 2d sonar to something a little more up to date in technology, my budget was only around 500 at the time and I found a couple of units that I would be satisfied with but I held off for some unknown reason, now I am back to upgrading my unit but I have to start my research all over because of some good fortune I am able to drop a little more coin and get a much bigger and better unit. After a couple of days and hours of research the only thing I have learned is that it is easier for me to go buy a new car than it is to buy a fish finder, lots of choices and models to choose from. Cabelas has an online special for the HB 998c SI HD ( I think I got that right) at a great price. Anyone tried this unit?

That's a good unit.

That is a good unit with a decent sized screen, and probably the most options for the money not sure what cabelas is getting but if you watch Academy they will run them for 1199. to 1299. several times a year usually for a month or so at a time.

Good luck and remember, buy more screen than you can afford. You will appriciate it later.

Im kinda in the same boat you are. I got $500 to spend. I think im going to go with the elite-5hdi gps

Shut up and fish is where I'd check!

Cabelas is running it for 1299 (online only - ughhh) I didn't even think about checking academy, I think I will go into cabelas and look at there sales model to make sure I would like it, I've been kind of favoring HB over lowrance because I hear they are easier to use on the menu options but I'm still open on it, thanks for the feedback guys.

Cabelas has the same price in store $1299 for the 998si, still had 4 units on sunday.

You'll love it!

Humminbird produces awesome units and the 998c SI is no exception. Design and production are quality and the technology was invented by Humminbird. the unit is easy to use and offers many features that will keep you happy for years to come!

Thanks for the info guys and welcome to the forum gcar1

MJMetro, just noticed you are in Saginaw so am i. I work @ cabelas most weekends, let me know if you need anything. You may want to look at the new garmins w touch, down / side scan, pre load mapping, very awesome units.

It's a good unit but are there any other recommendations that you catfisherman might suggest, now I'm thinking of getting a bigger screen and I know it will cost more but I'm okay with that, I'd like to have good sonar, sidescan, downscan and possibly GPS. I only fish a couple of lakes so buying a card of 10,000 lakes is not for me. I stopped by BPS today cause I was close by and looked at some of there units and the sales rep gave me a good education on lowrance and HB models, by the end of all this I think there was a unit that could launch a space shuttle, any feedback or comments are appreciated.

Largest screen you can afford with side scan is my recommendation. They are all great brands.

Just upgraded from 798 to 998 and love it. Got mine for 1199.00 shipped to my door. From digitaloasis.com

Finally upgraded my depth finder, I appreciate all those that gave me comments and recommendations thru pm, phone calls and this post. I ended up getting the HB 1199ci HD si. Very big impressive unit.