Wayne P.

The Humminbird 140 does not have any kind of Imaging function.
It has Side Finding which will give you fish symbols with distance indicated horizontally when you rotate the pole.
It is traditional sonar (somewhat cone shaped sonar pulse), not the Imaging technology.
 
If you want true imaging that shows what the bottom looks like to the sides, that takes many more dollars for a unit with Side Imaging, Sidescan, or SideVu--depending on the brand.
Side Imaging works as long as the transducer is not buried in the lake bottom. Sidescan takes more depth, and SideVu is too new to know what its shallow water capability is.

That whole subject has been debated on another web site for a week.
The touch screen models are being made to compete in the blue water market.
 
You will have to determine what functionality you want with your equipment and puchase accordingly.
 
The "black Friday sales" on the 1198 and 998 have been going on for over a month with marine electronics dealers.
Are you waiting for the big box general sporting goods places to put on a sale like Cabelas and Bass Pro?

There is no difference in the map data.<br /><br />I just got one of the Platinum versions so I could do the Sonar Charts program to have quick HD mapping at non-HD waters. I have no use for the extra features it has.<br /><br />I have 4 other versions that are the Premium edition.<br /><br />