I found a deal on a like new 798c SI and am wondering if I should jump on it, or wait a while and get the next model up with the larger screen? One has 5" diagonal and one has 7". Decisions, decisions.

If it's not really what you want, then don't get it. It's a good price, but not good enough for impulse purchases IMO. If you talk him down to $700 or less, then it's a different story.

$815

http://www.compuplus.com/Gps/Humminbird-798c-SI-Combo-with-1048971.html

$856

http://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-798c-SI-Combo-GPS/dp/B001DTRMXK

A quick Google search:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=humminbird+798c+si+combo&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=10008468284258614570&ei=qgTdS9e_I4O4Naz4pcQH&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CB0Q8wIwAg#ps-sellers

Buy what you CAN REALLY AFFORD.

It all depends. I went into BPS and Cabelas and messed with both. The larger screen is easier to see. Smaller things show up a little better.

I think you need to honestly evaluate yourself. How good of a fisherman you are. I know guys that have a Si, but they still don't know how to fish. If you are really good, then I would upgrade because it could help you a lot. But if not, go with the cheaper.

[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] five.bass.limit.

had a 797-sold it, got a 997, not very happy with it. Not sure about the newer models but on mine if you want to read while on a plane you need a second transducer. Might want to look at the Lowrance HD, I think it is a much better unit,but thats just me.

ill sell you a complete 997 for 1400$ im me if interested

It's a decision I've been contemplating for several months.  The resolution on the 798 is very appealing.  However, the smaller screen bothers me.

If I was buying right now, the 898 would be my choice.  Simply due to the screen size.

i was in the same boat, i went with the bigger 898si, in the long run, i knew i would have wanted the bigger screen, the 898 is an AWESOME unit.

I got an 898, and haven't looked back.

I don't know about the 97 series, but my 898 side imaging transducer works just fine at speed.

Having said that, to study the bottom at speed, it's nearly useless, and both the Humminbird and Lowrance will tell you that to get a good look at the bottom using side imaging five mph, plus or minus a tad produces the best results.

I got the premium chip for the eastern waters, and it's worth every cent.  You can bip from one interesting place to another, then slow down and examine the bottom with the si.

No second transducer needed.  If the boat has a step, and the ducer is mounted on the stern, the bottom reading features will be useless since it will be out of the water.

I was concerned about mounting it on the step, but it was my only choice.  It has worked out just fine.

I made one modification to the transducer mount.  I did not use the star washers provided.  I got the exact right size rubber washers at the hardware store, and used them instead.  They hold the transducer in place, but if it strikes something and kicks up, it allows the transducer to pivot at the washers.

My step is not high enough to let it fold completely up and out of the way.  Push the transducer back into place in the breakaway mount, line it up with the bottom of the boat, and that's it.

The star washers would eventually chew up the plastic.

My three preset buttons are for the full screen side imaging, full screen navigation, and full screen color image of the bottom.

As a side note.  The Navionics chip is nearly as impressive as the side imaging, and quite possibly just as important.  But like anything else, you need to know what you are looking for, and how to use the unit.

It has road beds, creek beds, stump bottoms, vegetation, etc., listed on the image.  You need to get it to the correct zoom to see them.

In my opinion, having seen it in operation, it would be cheap at twice the price.