Hb 997 or hds5-7

[ole matty]

Hello, I am in market for gps/sonar I had heard alot of pro and cons about both units, I m leaning toward to 997 due to customer service as it sound like it's easier for me since I cannot spend 30 mins on hold with lowrance's custome service but I also interest in havin hds 5 or 7 due to price so my question is it's worth for me to have 997 si? I fish for Muskie 90% of the time and all casting I had read that si work better when speed is above 3 mph. I was hoping for you guys to help me with my decisions.

Thanks

[Larson15]

997 for sure!

[slurpie]

I think you would like the 997. You will be able to see the edge of structure like a weed line. Or pick rocks out. The speed is good from an idle to about maybe 10 mph. As long as you go straight when turning the screen gets fuzzy.

[PerchJerker]

I've used HBs with Side Imaging and like them a lot. I haven't used Lowrance's StructureScan yet but am adding it to my own boat this year and the early reviews and images look like it will be just as good as HB's SI.

One nice feature of the HDS is that you can add StructureScan later if you want ---- that's not important if you know you'll want it for sure or if you know you definately don't want it ----- but if you're undecided right now it is something you can add later to the HDS units.

If not having to wait on hold to reach CS is important to you then HB has a definite edge over the HDS.

[harvey lee]

Bird all the way. I will have 2 new ones on the boat this spring.798 & 997.

[Ed Carlson]

The 997 will be a very valuable tool for Muskie fishing for sure.

Some rigging tips I have caught from Muskie hunters using the 997 and the 1197 is they rig the side scan up on the bow mount trolling motor so they get a leading edge picture of the structure they are rolling up on now..to fish. Muskies look like logs out to the side and apparently show up very well on the side scan imagery. Stripper fisherman in the South are doing this too, with very good results.

Works well in manual mode or on hand steer bow mounts, and not so well in power drive models or mode as too rapid of shifts in the bow mount steering can smear the side scan images slightly...but it will update again very quickly.

You will get a good side scan up to 4 mpr, from 1.5 mpr to 4mpr was the range I was told did best. So covering some water quickly and picking out targets to cast too, would be a snap.

My vote would be the Humm'r.

I am very interested in a side scan system for what I do, but I know I will not go Lowrance to get there. It will be a Humm'r, or another new contender in the side imagery game when it happens.

[Deitz Dittrich]

another vote for the 997.

[SimilarIsland]

Another vote for 997.

[Northlander]

No doubt here go with the 997. I have been running the 957c for 3 years and love it. I got it for $425 new so I couldnt pass it up or I would have gone with a SI unit.

[jigginlow]

Aren't we talking about over a $1000 deviation from one to the other? This is hardly a fair comparison, don't you think? I am looking at the HDS 5, as well, purely for the fact that it looks like a nice unit for the money. I would love an Audi too, but the Oldsmobile gets the job done nicely. Ha.

[harvey lee]

I believe the OP asked if it was worth the extra money for the Bird unit.

[hanson]

Aren't we talking about over a $1000 deviation from one to the other? This is hardly a fair comparison, don't you think? I am looking at the HDS 5, as well, purely for the fact that it looks like a nice unit for the money. I would love an Audi too, but the Oldsmobile gets the job done nicely. Ha.

Thats a great post!

Just pulling #'s off Cabela's HSOforum but...

Lowrance HDS-5 (No Side Imaging) = $699.00

Lowrance HDS-7 (No Side Imaging) = $999.00

... Structurescan is $599.00 to add to these units purchased separately.

Lowrance HDS-5 with StructureScan = $1298.00

Lowrance HDS-7 with StructureScan = $1598.00

Humminbird 798c SI Combo = $999.00

Humminbird 898c SI Combo = $1499.00

Humminbird 998c SI Combo = $1999.00

Gotta compare apples to apples somehow here guys. Duh... I'd take a 9 Series Humminbird as well but that will cost you twice what a 7 series Bird will and the 7 series is more in line with the Lowrances mentioned.

Why not just go "all out" and get an 11 Series Bird??

[harvey lee]

Chris, the OP did not ask what the price was but instead would it be worth it.

Members have answered yes it would as they love the 997.

I agree the Bird will be more but one needs to look at what they wil recieve and customer service in the end.

Of course the 900 series is going to run more than a 700 series as the screen is 40% larger then the other.

[hanson]

Sorry to help with useful information. My apologies.

[TR21HP]

Geez Harvey, lighten up! hanson was showing the comparative prices and wasn't defending one over the other-just prices. I, for one appreciated the effort as well as info provided by him. Who's online at 3 in the morning anyway - go to sleep!

[fishwater]

Why not just go "all out" and get an 11 Series Bird??

I've been hearing that the HDS-8 has a pretty amazing display (new screen from last year?); that might be a good option as well for $2300 (Cabela's price with Structurescan.) I know the 798c si has better screen brightness and resolution per square inch than my 997csi (and also the 1197c), so each unit almost has to be considered individually in some regards too. I haven't seen a new 998c in person yet, not sure if the new screen are significantly better than the 997c screens as far as brightness goes. I'd guess it's better, hopefully as good as the 798c.

HDS 8 has a 8.4" SVGA display with crystal-clear 600x800-pixel resolution.

998c si has a 8" TFT LCD screen with 480V x 800H resolution.

[dudewheresmyboat]

Bird, all day any day!

[ole matty]

I m compare not only in price, quality but also customer service due to my disability. Before you bash me. U have to understand I don't have advantge like u guys do, you can spend 30-45 mins on hold over phone by lowrance's from what I had read on this forum and I just simply can't. My relay service have time limit. but I think I m going with hummingbird. Thanks you guys for help

[eyebjim]

Good luck. You will like it.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

At those prices, I decided to just hire a scuba diver with a video camera for two years