Best option on Locator/GPS?

Heading to the sport show looking for best deal on an upgrade to my current Huminbird unit. I have 917C I picked upa few years ago. Great unit but I always seem to overdrive the GPS mapping screen no matter what the setting, even zoomed all the way out. Then it takes a longer time to refresh than my older Lowarancew units I’m thinking the processor is not as fast as the newer units.
If I wanted to stay with Huminbird what would you recommend in SI or DI or both type of unit in the $1200-$1500 range?

You should be able to get a 998c SI in that window. They are really trying to move those non-HD units these days. I would think you could negotiate a deal for the 998HD close to the $1500 price point.

I just picked up a new 898 SI HD unit for $1200 a couple of weeks ago, so you should be able to get the 998 for close to $1500

Thanks, would you recommend the SI VS DI? what the advantages of each?

I would recommend the SI for sure. The DI units are nice, but you lose some 2D sonar capabilities. Going with x98 unit, you get every Bell and whistle. If either DI or SI is a want, then get the SI model. One piece of advice, pay close attention to the model you are purchasing. The HD models are the newest and more expensive than the non-HD models. Know which one you’re buying.

As far as advantages go, SI lets you see things you never knew were down there. Rock piles, weed lines, bottom substrate changes, bait balls, fish, etc. A structure fisherman’s dream. One thing to note, however, is the DI of an SI HB isn’t as clear as a xx58 DI unit, since it lacks a dedicated DI element in the SI transducer. The DI units use a dedicated DI element in their transducers that give better image clarity. The DI is nice for showing bottom detail under the boat, as well as bottom hugging fish. The drawback of the DI units, of course, is the lack of SI, but also, the lack of certain Dual Beam Plus functions.