Its not "seeing the display" that is the problem.  Its the slice.  Bigger is better, in this case.  If it works fine for you, you have probably not tasted the forbidden fruit...

Oh god you are likely right im sure - now I am contemplating the 898 perhaps - 9 series may be pushing it though, oh dear....

Do it!  If I had lay lake or any of the bama lakes at my disposal, I'd have to map every inch of it.  I promise you'll be amazed...

I've got a 788ci on my console and it is OK. Screen is a bit small when I'm navigating on plane. Would rather have a bigger screen.

You can't use SI when your navigating on plane so the 798 is the same as any other finder and only provides depth.

I don't depend on the graph for depth, I depend on the Navionics maps.

Thanks dick - but when you say do it, do you mean get the 798 or the 898...or sell my kidney and get the 9 series ?

I am getting the feeling with reading here and other forums that I should shell out as much as I possibly can to get the largest screen possible - I think though the 898 may be the largest for my budget....does everyone here agree that the 898 is worth the extra 500 bucks plus tax?? Or should I save and just stick with the 798 and save up for later a 10 inch display

Get the biggest graph you can afford.  Going cheap now and then having to spend more later is just asinine.

go big! i got the 997 and it is JUST RIGHT! i wish i could of got the 1197 but im maried.....

The 997 is tempting me....I think there is a fair chance at this point that I may pull that trigger.  The 1197 would be sweet - I am setting it up on a 0% 1 year type of deal and my "fun budget" just wont quite allow that 1197 - I would be left utterly broke - its all a matter of how much this purchase will eat into my fun budget for the next year.  If I get say the 898 I would have some flexibility to get other things as I want them (rods, lures, etc) - but I think I will go ahead and seriously consider the 997 - my first child will be here in september so If I dont spend now, it aint gonna happen - I moonlight for my spending cash as a pharmacist at CVS and once he/she comes, that really wont happen - so I am gonna get this last big toy, fish like hell this spring/summer, then brace for much less fishing for a little while.

I am totally obsessing this cause I will likely go and buy tomorrow - cant wait to just make the decision and get it off my mind, its plaguing my thoughts 

Thanks dick - but when you say do it, do you mean get the 798 or the 898...or sell my kidney and get the 9 series ?

  I'm saying go for the biggest you can afford to buy.  No piece of equipment is worth creating a hardship for yourself. With the disclaimer out of the way....  Grab the 9, or if possible the 1197  ;D

Your correct on one thing......GET IT NOW!! Once the baby shows up your fun account is toast. Your gonna need all your money for toys and diapers. Good God at the mountain of diapers. I still have nightmares.

God you people are bad influences - I am blaming you when my wife yells at me   ;D

There is one last afterthought - for my bass tracker pro-16 bass boat - (16 foot) - will my little boat accomodate the 997 on the dash as needed?  I guess it may protrude from the side of the boat a bit, which I wouldnt really care - am I gonna have a difficult installation?

The 1197 is just too much I think unfortunately - I would be pushing my budget I think - I think everyone agrees that if I can get the 997 is it formidable.

I got to looking too and to confuse the matter just a bit, I think the HDS 8 (8.4 inches) is a bit cheaper at about 1800 vs. about 2K for the 997....I dont think bass pros right now even has the HDS 8 though and I want it now mommy!

I am not familar with your boat. Does it have a console? The HDS-8 requires the Structure Scan unit and you have to put that someplace.

I do have a console - currently there is a small 4 or 5 inch finder installed (lowrance X50 I believe) to the left of the console - I am just wondering if on my boat it will fit - I think it will.....I will need to go home and measure things I suppose.

Correction:  it is to the right of the console...

Best photo I could find on the net to give an idea....

Yep....structure scan is an additional 600.00 plus tax. Lowrance sells that as an add-on.

I am pleased to announce that we now have added the Humminbird models 798 and 998 to our product inventory....of course below retail as usual. -Jim

www.AmericanBassOutlet.com

798C SI - $899.95

798C SI w/ NVB - $1,099.95

998C SI - $1,849.95

998C SI w/ NVB - $2,049.95

BigEbass, I have the Tracker PT 170 TX that came with a Lowrance X 51 Pro (really a Eagle Cuda 300 in disguise). I moved it to the gas guage position.

The HB 798 is a tight fit in that position. Unless you add a RAM mount to clear the console, a larger unit will not fit.

Hmm...I wonder if the 997 is really even doable on my boat - perhaps get the 798 still and just wait to buy another new boat in 15-20 years .....How difficult is it to mount the 997 I wonder....

Wayne - so you have the 798 in the old "cuda" position then and it fits ok?  How have you liked the 798?  Is the larger units then simply not pheasable then?  What is a "ram mount" exaclty?

Yes, the base of the 798 is just a little larger than the LEI X-51 base and is a built-in snap-in type. The larger units have a "U" shaped mounting bracket that is wider than the unit. I guess you could offset the bracket to get a HDS-5 or HDS-7 unit to mount in that location.

A RAM mount is a system of two plates with balls on them that have a tension arm to attach the two ball plates. Do a web search for RAM mount.

The 798 is a great unit with a real bright screen. No problem seeing it with polarized glasses on. I understand the HB 800, 900, and 1100 series have a dimmer screen and may be hard to see in bright sunlight.

Hmm, I will have to look into the bright sunlight issue - obviously that is concerning.  Perhaps I will reconsider "tasting the forbidden fruit".....Not sure how awkward it will be to make the 997 fit on my boat....

Any 997 owners have input about the brightness issue?

Brightness is adjustable.