i have been fortunate and have been able to purchase the 997c and a 917c humminbird units, no doubt humminbird's best sonar yet (not sidescan, regular 2d sonar).... i honestly think lowrance has the upper hand on sonar, but obviously not on sidescan, if and when lowrance comes out with sidescan, that will be the unit to have

i have been impressed with my 2 units though i have already sent both of them back due to malfunction, but humminbird was easy to work with and got everything right (finally) without additional costs to me

again, if you are going 2d, get a lowrance, other wise expect a wait for a sidescan unit