I'm very close to buying a boat. The current set up is one depth finder a lowrance hds 5. That is mounted on the console. I am surfing the web looking for a good bow depth finder and saw the 360. Now I understand that you have to get at least get a 798ci, 898, 998, 1198. So all in all I guess I want to know are those units worthy? And is the 360 imaging worth 1000 bucks? I am sure I want to get side imaging and maybe a combo if that exists. Thanks for any help.

Humminbird Side Imaging units are combo sonar/GPS

 

The transducer that comes with the units do 2D sonar, Side Imaging, Down Imaging and Temperature.

 

The 360 is an Ethernet accessory. It does the image scanning via a rotating transducer inside a housing.

There is a transom version and a bow version.

It is a sonar tool that will show where stuff is in relation to the boat in all directions. It is like underwater radar.

 

Post #49 in the Screenshots topic is an example with Side Imaging and 360.

 

Just like any of the imaging technologies, you have to learn how to interpret what is displayed and have to take the time to fully learn how to use it.

 

I have the bow version that I connect to a 1198c SI Combo.

 

Thanks for the response Wayne, you happy With the set up you are running? Would running a lower ended model play a big influence in how I view the 360 image? Im guessing it will be a personal and financial difference in the different models. Thanks again.

The size of the display will determine the size of the image. BIGGER is better

If you've got the HDS 5 at the dash you could always upgrade your dash unit with a new HDS gen2 or gen2 Touch Lowrance unit and mount the 5 up front. That way you can link them with ethernet and have them share waypoints and even sonar data. You're going to want either side scan or spotlight scan (not capable with hds gen 1 systems I don't think). I'd suggest getting the side scan first.