I HAVE A PROBLEM ;-]

Have you looked at the lowrance hook 7? Just suggesting it to make ur decision harder and add more to the pot :)
In all honesty with the way today's electronics are made they are all comparable just alot of guys being stubborn and sticking to what brand they know.

Been There, I'm currently running a Humminbird 581iHD with Down Imaging, and I'm really disappointed with Humminbirds QC. I owned it for a year before I got it installed in my boat as I was doin' a complete rebuild of the hull, and the very first trip out in Sept., the screen fogged up and cleared up only slightly on one side after 5 hours of fishin'. Humminbird tells me, "Sorry, out of warranty but we can fix it for $160". Bull! I removed the unit and kept it in the house, and then in the following spring I put it back in, and it wouldn't power up. The power cable went bad right in the head that locks into the mount, and that was $30 with the shipping for a new one, plus I had to remove a side panel in the boat and fish the new cable back though to the power connections, so I wasn't happy about that. Also, the transducer mount snapped off while fishing; that was another $30 with the shipping. The 581 has a lot of features that I don't use, and I really don't understand "Down Imaging", but even with the occasional fogging, I kinda like it. It works just as well at 30 MPH as it does when I'm trollin'. I'd had Eagle Electronics previously. Couple of months ago I was at Cabela's in Wheeling and they had a 'Bird unit that looks just like the 581, but a different model number,  and it had the full color screen, and it was on sale for the same price I paid for the plain 581. It was discounted like 45% as they were bringin' in new models. If I'd had the jing, I'd have bought it on the spot! My oldest son has the color version in his Lund, and it really shows the bottom much better than black, white, and gray. BTW, the GPS speed and the surface temp is really convenient.

EMitch thank you very much for taking the time, except for the Lowrance Flasher Sonar I bought in the seventies I've always bought Hummingbirds.  Been a while since my last purchase which was 2003 so I've not, followed the technology be it bad or good with any of the brands.  
 
Friend of mine recently purchased the Hummingbird Helix 7DI and I must say it is very impressive, not overdone with features and, reasonably priced.  I was a single "click" away from buying one myself then, I saw the Garmin 7VS which offers "Side View" as well as "Down View" but less storage for way points and no maps.
 
Then, someone pops out with yet another new model on the market.
 
Outasync the Hook 7 is very impressive from what I've seen on the internet, and the price is right, gonna be tough for me to decide.
 
I didn't see the need for "Side Imaging/View" given the additional cost but the 7VS at $499.00 is a contender. 

I know that you mentioned not needing mapping.  I find it to be one of my best tools for finding new spots.  At least an idea of where drop offs, creek channels, ect. are.  Then hone in with the depth finder.  
 
I use the Navionics app on my iPhone.  It's not the most ideal having to use an additional tool, but if you have a smart phone, most likely you have it on your boat regardless.  If you have a DC outlet, 1/2 the times is is on your dash being charged anyway...  At least mine was prior to me getting the app.  Only thing bad is when it is raining.  Phone holders are cheap, and if you really want to be cheap (and want something smaller), go to Office Depot and buy a 99 cent pen holder.  I think app is about $10.  
 
I was about to buy a new fish finder last year and the year prior, and likely the year prior to that.  7" was a bit out of my price range, although it is nice seeing that it is in my range now.  5" was just too small, especially for split screen.  I think even with 7", I'd still use my phone to navigate.  I'm not sure of which models have it, but the app that mirrors your screen looks awesome.  Keeping you from having to purchase another finder for your trolling motor, or others on your boat to see the fish finder.
 
Thanks a lot.  Now I have fish finders on my mind again!

Wellllllllll I dood it and now you will have to be vewy, vewy quite; I will be hunting fish........ heh hehhhhhh!
 
Thanks to everyone for sharing your views and insight.
 
 
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO............  MEEEEE!

Stop being lazy and change out that back transducer. Running your big motor with your trolling motor in the water is not recommended. Some thing about burning up the brushes and even bending the shaft. If you want the new one on the front, put your mount up their and put the transducer on your trolling motor. Leave the old one on the console. The one in the front will be real time as what you see under you won't be 10 ft away by the time it registers as with the back one. I always put the best one up front as that's where I do almost all my fishing from there.

Have you considered seeing a doctor? A little couch time might,I know it did me!!!!

Well I dooded it, un-dooded it and re-dooded it.  Just when ya think ya got the situation under control something comes along and screws it.
 
After much conversation, mainly between myself and me, I chose to purchase a certain brand of sonar/GPS.  Now this sonar/GPS is a brand new never been seen unit and according to the advertisement is available beginning Jan. 15 2016.  Well heck, it was Dec.30 2015 and I wouldn't need the thing until 'spring has sprung' 2016 so, I placed an order.  Not being able to find but 30 sec promo's on YouTube, I emailed the retailer requesting any information they may have on the sonar/GPS.  I was eager to learn as much as I could before the actual arrival of the device plus give me something to kill time and help keep me from writing stupid stuff on the forums.  Unfortunately, the retailer had responded to  my request stating they had not had time to operate the, new never been seen before, sonar/GPS and could not answer any questions.
 
Sooooo, I fired off the same request to the manufacturer who in turn, reaffirmed the new model would not be shipped until Jan 15, 2016 and no information would be available at this time but, I was to watch a web sight where the manuals for the sonar/GPS would be available to download.  Which pretty much verified why the retailer had not had time to test the unit because it was obvious they didn't have a unit to test.  Had I been advised that was the situation, I probably wouldn't have canceled my order.  Not because they didn't have one of the new models but, I now had questions regarding the retailers return policy and credibility based on the answer to my initial request.
 
Jan 4th placed an order for the same 'brand new never been seen before' sonar/GPS unit with a second retailer who also advised shipping would not occur until Jan 15, 2016.  This retailer also had a sight where one could check the tracking of their purchase once shipping has been confirmed.  Wellllllllllll, Jan 15 arrives, a quick check with the tracking site and nothing, notta, not, nope or, ain't shipped.  Played this game until Jan 24 when I emailed the retailer and learned the new shipping dates would be the first of Feb, so they thought.
 
Seeing a red flag, I sent a email to the mfg asking that they confirm the shipping date and was told the new model I ordered would be shipped, hopefully, sometime the last two weeks of Feb.  They were sure I'd be happy with my new purchase and please contact them should I need further assistance.
 
I am now excitedly awaiting the arrival of my new 'been around, proof tested , highly rated, made by another mfg, sonar/GPS on Jan 28, 2016.
 
And yes, yinz will hear about it!

You may wish to investigate the Garmin Striker 7 Series if Garmin has shipped the things yet.  That's the unit I was babbling about in my previous rant.  However, Garmin has cut ties with several map makers so use of maps by any competitors will not be possible.  The Striker, while capable of recording tracks and waypoints does not come with any maps nor, does it accept SD Cards for additional storage.
 
I had the the Striker 7 with side and down view ordered from two different vendors and got cold feet when the shipping dates were continuously moved back by Garmin.
 
As far as I know, the Strikers still have not hit the market.
 
The Helix 7 SI now adorns the console of the Fish Hawk.
 
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Update:  Shipment of the Striker 7SV as with other Garmin models has been delayed until the first of March.  
 
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  Kinda like the Hunninbird 1198c. Haven't had any problems & have pet names for objets under the sea.
 
crappy