Trevor,
I dont think you are alone in the thoughts. There are those of use who when we bought the 1197 were thinking we had the flagship of the product. However not long after... Hb introduced the 1198 and the 1197 slipped into the legacy catagory.
I for one was a little upset but in looking at the 1198 ir seems technology had made the change necessary. New components and operational characteritics were not part of what the 1197 could manage nor update to. As with most products it is hard to rebuild the internal pieces to bring it up to date.
So, we accepted the 1197 fate and as long as HB continued to support the 1197 as it is we did not complain.
ITGeek posted a while back that if we wait on buying until the newest is out we will never end up buying because something always is on the horizon these days.
The 1197 works well but does not meet the new things available.
Which is why a lot of us have more than one unit these days..
I certainly hope the 1197 continues to perform for you and that you will find a way to add in radar to your boat.
I do agree that radar is important to you all on coastal areas.
Chuck