I had used Lowrance all my life, from 1999 to 2010. I was a big fan of their products, but their customer service and manufacturing have gone down hill big time. I run several units on my boats, and in 2009, and 2010 I ran 2 HDS at my cockpit, and one up on the bow. I had had 6 HDS units, and then a bunch more from warranty problems. Last year in the fall, the straw that broke the camel's back for me was trying to log sonar files while I was at a tournament in the ststes, and while trying to do so, I lost every file, waypoint, and route I had in the unit. I was devistated, and could not find any reasons for what happened. I had also been through transducers like crazy and had had enough. This year after being sick of the troubles I had had with HDS units, I got two Humminbird 1198's, and so far I am extremely happy. The Side Imaging is great, the unit is easy for use and setup. I rely on my electronics, and feel that they are every bit the product that Lowrance is, and they are made in the US, not in Mexico. iIt took me a little bit to get used to with the differences in menu's and such, but I now run it flawlessly. I had to adjust my transducer a bit, but now have it right and it and holds bottom perfectly.
Chris K
