Topic: Which one?

[bigdondon6677]

Im in the process of buying my first set up.  I found a used (app. two years old) 998 si with navionics platinum plus card in great shape for the same price I can pick up a new 898 hd si.  I guess my dilemma is...should i go with the 898 cause it has a warranty or get the extra inch and forget about the warranty.

[George]

bigdondon6677

The 998 would be great, not sure that I would invest in a 2 year old unit.  I have an 1197 and 1198, the 1197 was purchased new in February 2009 and I have not had a bit of trouble with it.  But I try to take extra care with them by transporting them in the truck installing and removing at the ramp. 

With the 998 you will not have a warranty.  Humminbird in my opinion has the best warranty program in the market.  I always suggest that everyone purchases the largest unit they can afford.  If you are set on an 1198 then you may want to wait until you have the money.

 Have you checked on line to see what kind of price you can get a new unit at?

George

[bigdondon6677]

Yea i've checked online for the best prices.  I origionally the 700 series was the largest I could go and still be under budget but when I seen the prices on some of the sites I realized I could afford the 800 series.  I was just wondering if giving up the warranty for another inch was worth it.  Im not dead set on having the 998 but just as everyone says.....buy the biggest you can afford.  Thats why I was considering the used 998.  The seller want $1000.00 for it with ducer, ext gps, and navionics platinum plus in original box and with all the original equpment.  Seems like a good deal.  And he is close enough to drive to pick it up and see it work.  I have no problem just purchaing two new 898's but I was just throwing the thought of the used 998 around.

[bigdondon6677]

Can you split into three screens on the 898 like you can the 998?  That may be a deciding factor.  I have read and read and read all sorts of info and I have not seen anything that tells me what screen configurations are available on the 898. Maybe im over looking that info.

[Humminbird_Greg]

The only difference between the 898c Si and 998c Si units is the size of the displays.  All operational features and functions are the same.

[Rotus623]

You are saying that you can get a used 998 for the same price as a new 898. Actually that is a little off. The best prices right now for brand new 898 w/o navionics is $1250. If you are getting the 998 WITH Nav chip that is waaaay cheaper. Also keep in mind that that is not an HD unit. Lots of folks complained about not having great visibility in the sunlight with the non-HD units, and that is why HB started making brighter screens. Personally I wouldnt do it. I have saved for a long time for my 898 and if it had issues and I had bought it used I would probably cry!! Answer this;Would you buy a used computer?

[bigdondon6677]

Questions or Comments:  I have found that the 900 series will split into 3 screens. Is that function available for the 800 series?

"Dear Mr. Warner   
 Thank you for contacting Humminbird. We appreciate your interest in our products.
 No, it isn't available on the 898 series.
 If we can assist you further on this subject or any other Humminbird related questions please feel free email us again or contact our Customer Resource Center at 1-800-633-1468 to speak with a Customer Service Representative. Our hours are Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 Good Boating and Fishing!
 Denise - CRC

Greg, this is the reply I just received from Humminbird about splitting into three screens.  I did just find the manual online and confirm that you can on the 898 SI.  I don’t know why she would say it isn’t available.  Definitely have seen that you are very helpful on this forum and I thank you for your reply.

Rotus623, your right...I would never buy a used computer but, a new 998 is way out of the budget.  I'm stretching funds as it is to get the 898.  There is a sponsor on another site I’m a member of offering the 898 Si (non HD) for just over $1000.00.  That is without the navionics.  I have considered that the used 998 is not HD. 

Greg, is the Hd screen that much better?  I’m sure you’ve had plenty of experience with non HD and HD units.  Your input on this would pretty much make up my mind.

[Humminbird_Greg]

I’ll see that the CRC trainer follows up with Denise on this.  You have to understand that these folks handle lots of questions everyday on a lot of different products and cannot always remember everything correctly – I know that I sure don’t!

Actually I haven’t had any on-water experience with one of the newer HD displays.  All the ones I have seen so far have either been in the manufacturing area, in a lab or outside (not on a boat).  Still, they are noticeably brighter in my opinion.


Anyone with a 898 unit care to post a screen snapshot of the three-screen spilt to give bigdodon an extra warm fuzzy feeling about this?