I have also just been given the green light..
under 1K..
Curent is a elite 5 as dedicated sounder, an old huminbird 7" for general gps and a 8" pad with navionics for detail gps..
As TTK comments above, Im interested in the side vu side scan modes 'upgrade'
I have messed with the garmin lowrance in shop.. demo mode, thu do remain a little suspicious on that the elite 5 demo and actual is significantly different.
I was told that when buying garmin you choose the transducer and this varies the price greatly.
The lowrance you get the transducer that comes with it that matches all the functions.
Also Lowrance comes with basic Cmap card.. which to be frank is crap, and the good navionics bathymetric card another 300/$400
Never used anything other than lowrance (and the very old huminbird )sounders.
At this point Im heading for the lowrance elite Ti 7".
Further comments experience would be appreciated.