Quote Originally Posted by 410th View Post
I am wanting to upgrade the Electronics on the boat with out hocking one of the Grandkids. I have been looking at Humminbirds over Lowrance. Wont get in to that debate. I would love to have the HB 1198C SI Combo or the 988, but I would have to hock a Grandchild for sure and the wife said NOWAY, so I am looking at the 788HD SI or DI but I am worried about the screen size. With a 5 inch screen can you get enough detail on that small of screen where Down Imaging or Side Imaging it would matter? If you had to pick one witch one would be the best, Side Imaging or Down Imaging. I Bass fish and Crappie fish. Just wanting your all's thoughts on this unit or any other unit in that price range.

Thanks
Billy
Where to start...first of all, having SI provides a huge advantage when searching for structure whether fishing for crappie or bass. Also, an SI unit includes DI as well, so the two together plus regular sonar is phenomenal.
That being said, if you truly can't afford the 898c SI (7"), having SI in the 798ci HD DI will still help you, but it is much harder to read when screens are split (i.e.- Chart/SI).
Now if you are really in a crunch for funds and don't want to spend more than $800, the 597ci HD DI has the EXACT same features as the 788ci HD DI, except for three things: price ($649 vs $799), the 788 can be linked to the higher series, and the 788 accepts various add-on units for weather. If those features dont benefit you, I suggest saving the $150 from the 788.
Hope this helps. If you're still confused, pm me or come see me at BPS.
-Matt