Which Bird for the bow?

[mabr]

Ok, I’m hooked on the Bird after a long affair with Lowrance.

I knew is was going to make the shift after all the reports I’ve read on here and everywhere else on how good they were. But I didn’t think I could swing the SI models earlier this year.

So I see Cab---- has the 597 on sale for a pretty good price and I buy it but it’s on back order for 3 weeks. This is 1 week before the big sportsman show. Cab--- says I can return it as long as it’s not opened. So I go ahead and order it thinking hey the Big show is coming and I’ll see what deals they are giving there. And as many that went know there were some GOOD buys.

So at the show I buy a 898 and I’m in love with it. But now I want a bow mounted unit and the 598 is not compatible with the 898. So I’ve been looking at units to get up front without having the wife kill me if I spend to much more than I already have.

I’ve looked at the 778c which isn’t that much of a price increase from the 597 but I’m not sure it’s what I want, what are the disadvantages of it over the other 700 series units. The differences are upward of 200.00 depending on unit. Anyone have any advice?

[cjac]

Depends if you're looking for a sonar only or a sonar/GPS combo. I'm assuming the sonar/GPS combo since you're already spoiled with a 898, so I'll go from there. If not go with the 778 sonar only.

The combo units are $650-$700 range for the 778s, but the 858s were there for the taking at about $800 at the shows. I'd go that route if at all possible, especially with the 898 it's an easy ethernet connection and same size display as your 898. Keep in mind the GPS unit for the bow needs it's own chip, so there's another $120 plus a RAM mount unless you flush mount the bracket to the floor or raised bow traingle deck, if you have that option. Call the place you bought your 898 from and see if they'll deal with you on a 858.....

My $0.02 is you're already pot committed with the 898 in poker terms. Finish it off right with a 858 if you can swing a deal. You'll be disappointed going from a big screen with the 898 to a smaller bow screen, especially assuming you're standing over the bow unit so bigger is better. That'll be a really nice set up. Funds can always be hidden from the Mrs.

For comparison, I went 798 on the console and 958 on the bow with a Terrova i-pilot as well.

Hope this helps a bit, as I know its a lot of $$$ and a bit of a mind game as I just "played the game", but do it right the first time and you'll be happy in the long run.