Topic: Humminbird 998c HD SI Combo How are these?

[river]

Humminbird 998c HD SI Combo looking at one of these are they worth the money? looking at one for Christmas. there are so many out there now days, not sure which one would be the best for the money.I fish in Michigan, mostly inland lakes and lake Huron, just in the bay. looking to upgrade. thank you all for your input.

[newkid4si]

river

      That is my first SI unit. In hind site, I feel I made a good choice.
      I chose this model for the screen size more than any other feature.
      " I wish I would have got a smaller screen" isn't a comment that you read very often on here.

             Mike

[river]

What do you use now? is it much better ? and why did U not like the 8inch screen. what else would I need beside the hotmaps chip? trying to see what would be better. thanks

[newkid4si]

I still have the 998. It meets my needs.
You will need a SD card if you want to save snapshots and recordings. I am happy with SanDisk Ultra 8GB (30mb/sec) cards. Watch out for the older 15mb cards.
If the screen is improved for better direct sunlight viewing, the VISA card will be put to use.

            Mike

[river]

I still have the 998. It meets my needs.
You will need a SD card if you want to save snapshots and recordings. I am happy with SanDisk Ultra 8GB (30mb/sec) cards. Watch out for the older 15mb cards.
If the screen is improved for better direct sunlight viewing, the VISA card will be put to use.

            Mike

   So are you saying it is harder to see the direct sunlight?

[Bob B]

The older 998's (non HD version) didn't have the LED backlit screen and were harder to see in direct sunlight than the lastest version.
The model # you posted is the HD version with the better screeen. 

The 998HD si is an excellent unit.....with the closeout sales going on now, you might be able to find a very good deal on the 1198....bigger is better with SI, and with the 1198, the text boxes are on the bottom of the screen instead of on the left side.....You loose less screen real estate that way.

Personally I think I would wait and go with a 2014 model.....either the 999 or better yet the 1199.  They are going to have a faster processor, which is always better and the MSRP on them is less than the 98 series units.  Dealers are starting to ship the 99 series units.

[newkid4si]

My unit is in an open fishing boat. When in a direct sun condition (sun behind you) I find it hard to see the image sometimes.
I find myself moving the screen or using something the cast a shadow on it.
Early/late or cloudy is good. High noon on a bright day is when I have problems.
The information is there, I just think a different display might make it easier to see.

[river]

Ok good to know thank you. but I can get the 998 hd one for 800.00 and the 1198 for 1200 and there is only one of each left .but like you said can get the 2014 model for about 1350 

The older 998's (non HD version) didn't have the LED backlit screen and were harder to see in direct sunlight than the lastest version.
The model # you posted is the HD version with the better screeen. 

The 998HD si is an excellent unit.....with the closeout sales going on now, you might be able to find a very good deal on the 1198....bigger is better with SI, and with the 1198, the text boxes are on the bottom of the screen instead of on the left side.....You loose less screen real estate that way.

Personally I think I would wait and go with a 2014 model.....either the 999 or better yet the 1199.  They are going to have a faster processor, which is always better and the MSRP on them is less than the 98 series units.  Dealers are starting to ship the 99 series units.

   

[newkid4si]

Bob B brings up a good point that I keep forgetting. I have a non HD unit. Sorry.. I didn't mean to mislead you.
When you get older, stuff like this happens.

[234rick]

At those prices you better buy both. Let me know and I will take the one you don't buy.

[reddog]

At those prices you better buy both. Let me know and I will take the one you don't buy.

I know the prices have come down, but Im not thinking this far....  I agree. if you dont buy them (both of them)  post where they are at..