I'm trying to decide between the hummingbird 798 hd SI,
And the lowrance hds5/hds8.

I would like some good feedback on these to units cause tge hummingbird has better features and the lowrance but tge lowrance has ocean maps and very easy to use. (but you have to buy structure scan extra which is 600 dollars more)

Just keep it between these two units b/c I like garmin but would rather use one of these.

Thanks yall

Personal preference? From my experience between the hummingbird and lowrance, I think the hummingbird menus are more intuative then lowrance. Just my 2cents.

I'd say lowrance for clarity.

What about being Reliable

Douby wrote:What about being Reliable

They are all good these days. Go to a store like Basspro/West Marine and play with the display models. Buy the one you like the most based on your preferences.

I do agree with HS though about the clarity of the new HD models like Lowrance & Raymarine. I now have a Garmin 441s and like it but man would I like the Raymarine from my boat.

i think lowrance has a bigger rep of having clearer images... if you pick one put a review on it here that way ill know if i should get it for my next ski !

Already have and fell in love with both. The hds5 and 8 and the hummingbird 798/898 si. These have awesome features and very easy to work. The hummingbird comes with attitude scan for free. The 898 retails for around 12-1400.00, and the hds5 retails for 800. But the lowrance hds5: you have to buy the attitude scan for 600 extra dollars!!! They come out to be the same kinda but kinda just wondering on reliability. But I think now with the provided info I'll be getting the hummingbird 898si. If not it will be the hds8 with structure scan. I'll keep y'all updated.

Finished the racks/ towers today and it only costed about 16.00-20.00. Now just finish the front gps/rod holder and I'll be ready. I'll post pics soon. Need to get to the finished product to show it off.

I do a lot of fishing on the ski (www.jetskifishingchannel.com), and I use the Lowrance HDS 5. Brilliant unit fully waterproof and I have an in hull transducer which works to 5000 ft. Picks up all sorts of detail and can easily tell different fish apart once you get a couple of hours under your belt.

Do you have structure scan with yours? If so how does it work for ya.
I really like tge hds-5 gen 2 but the only thing I hate is you have to buy the 600.00 strutted scan.

That's why I am leaning toward hummingbird 798or 898 cause it's comes with it and cheaper, with easy to work buttons also.
But the hds5 has a pretty nice marine map already installed to.