Humminbird 698si VS Helix 5 SI

I need help deciding between the 698SI and the Helix 5 SI. Is the Helix 5 SI worth $150 more?

I prefer the horizontal screen vs the vertical screen. The 698 will take regular sd cards for map chips. So you can find cheaper used ones. There are not a ton of good deals on the micro sd cards yet as they haven’t been out that long yet. You’ll be pretty happy either way. Personally I’d save the $150 and get the map card with that.

The si will be tough to read on both small screens. You’d be better to do with a larger screen helix 7 if that’s in the budget.

Thanks now the next question is Lakemaster or Navionics? And if I go with a Used chip how old would be to old?

I’d get the Helix over the older 698… It’s a brighter screen and faster processor, plus you’ll get many more software updates in the future.

as far as the chip, just check to make sure the lakes you fish on have HD recordings done… I have a lakemaster chip that’s 2 years old, but has all the lakes I fish mapped in HD.

as janderson mentioned, get the biggest screen you can afford to get the best use of SI images…even if it means not buying for a few months to save up the $$ difference…you should also factor in that the Helix 5 & 7 series will NOT network with other units..

Just had my first and what will more than likey be last experance with humminbird. They say the helix has NMEA2000 but it needs a gateway ( $200 )

If the product requires a “gateway” it doesn’t support the given protocall. It’s like saying I speak french becuase I have an interpreter with me.

Saying the helix supports NM2k is a marketing half truth at best. If they thought it was ok to get away with it on one feature what would stop them to BS another?

The garmin Echomap does support NM2k and I will be returning my helix 9 ASAP and going with garmin

PS sorry for being such a troll as this is my first post but it’s so hard to compare products and impossible when manufactures put infomation out there that would be perjury in court ( the truth , THE WHOLE THURTH and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH ) some how humminbird seems to think its ok play hot and lose with the last two.

How many posts/fishing forums are you going to cut/paste this rant to?

Many as it takes thanks for the bump BTW