So the stock fishfinder that came with my boat is next to useless and I want to upgrade, but the cost of some of the side imagining units are staggering to me...

Today I found some of these units on clearance that I can get for just under $400 each brand new... I know they are a few years older, but I can't find too much info online about these. I have been looking at the Humminbird Helix 5 Si which are around 100 bucks more and much smaller, but seem pretty comparable feature-wise... At the $400, I can get one now and my father in law will buy another for an early Christmas present so I can network them, but I don't want to pull the trigger without some sound advice from you guys... Anyone have any experience with these?

I specifically bought the Lowrance HDS (gen 1) before they were phased out because the Gen 2 (and now the Gen 3) are all touch screen, which I do not care for.  The original HDS gen 1's still have the buttons which works a lot better for me because my fingers are usually wet or have grease or fish slime on them and when I touch the screen it leaves smearing.  Electronics are all getting bigger and fancier so the price tag is gonna keep going up.  The problem with buying an older version now is that if something fails you may not be able to find replacement parts for it.

HDS10 is 2d sonar only. No Di or Si.

Also if it has a prob Lowrance will not repair Gen1

2 hours ago, William Rossi said:

HDS10 is 2d sonar only. No Di or Si.

Also if it has a prob Lowrance will not repair Gen1

It will cost a few bucks to add the Structure Scan accessory to have Side Scan and Down Scan. About what the unit costs.

Great units but there are problems when you buy NON-supported equipment. Besides what Wayne P. stated, none of the newer transducers will work on the Gen1 (HDI, TotalScan, 3D module, etc...etc..). I would suggest getting the Gen1 and use as a stand-alone GPS and this will allow you to maybe get a larger screen, current family, sonar unit like the Hook or Elite-TI. Don't let the touch screen scare you. I have never had to wipe my hands before the screen would work, but, it's nice to keep a soft cloth and eyeglasses cleaner close by.

Of course, if you plan on having a unit at the bow and the console, networked to share info, you will need to step up a little.