Quote Originally Posted by skeeter11008 View Post
I could be wrong on this but I think Humminbird only had patents for a set period of time for the side imaging used in fishing units. Several Goverment agencies use the imaging sonar to look for bodies, wreckage etc. and those units are not made by Humminbird. I think Humminbird had the rights for 5 years in the fishing industry and then it would be available to be marketed by the other companies.
Maybe the time ran out, but all the Lowrance Pro's are saying that it will be introduced at the classic, but who knows where all the rumors start. Also my understanding of the patent was the transducers, and not the actual side imaging, because there are a few people that do the side imaging now, there is a company that maps Kentucky Lake, and you can buy their imaging to down load onto your GPS units. I guess we will all know for sure in a few days, I am hoping its true, maybe we can get a 5" side imaging unit for under a $1,000.00 that would be nice.