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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Is a Hummingbird 1198c SI/DI worth the money? I mean over $ 2,400.00 is a lot of money for a 10" TV........ Don't you think.
I want a "Big" screen that these 56yr. old eyes can see and all of the" newer sh nit" that is out there,....... but,....... Why is it so much money?????
A High end Computer doesn't cost this much,..... What gives????
I honestly think that we Fishermen/ Boaters are getting Screwed to be paying this much Cash for this type of equipment.
Jerome |
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Posts: 1460
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | I went to a bigger screen after fishing with some pros out your way and seeing how easily they were able to keep their boat in the right place when fishing reefs...they'd be looking down at the srcreen, see a turn coming up on the map and begin to adjust the boat before getting there. It was like something in my noodle went, 'click!'. Prior to this I struggled ...looking down, bending over to see the detail on my 5" screen. I have the older 1157c without the si/di. Those would be nice to have, sure. But what a game changer just to be able to see map clearly....maybe do some checking around I bet you could save some $$$ if you we're willing to do without SI and DI |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Try to buy a high end waterproof computer for that amount of money. That's alot of it. |
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Posts: 537
Location: Gilberts IL/Rhinelander WI | Get two smaller ones. Full screen GPS, full screen sonar. Bigger pic than a 10" would be at split screen and cheaper. Or for the GPS part get an iPad and an otter box. |
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Posts: 1460
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | 5th lake Brad - 11/27/2012 8:55 PM
Get two smaller ones. Full screen GPS, full screen sonar. Bigger pic than a 10" would be at split screen and cheaper. Or for the GPS part get an iPad and an otter box.
Two 5"ers is what I was running. Not even close to working as good. Mu can select the split size on a 10" screen so u r running almost all map and that's how I run it. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | jerome ... you are an OLD man. buy the big, good stuff and enjoy it. hate the $$ but glad i finally did it ... i love big bird! |
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Location: Madison, WI | ask yourself whether or not you really want/need the side imaging. many people just use the map and sonar and don't benefit from the other technologies.
if you don't need the side imaging, my suggestion is:
- 1158c sonar/gps ($1700 on sale), use to display the map
- 586c sonar only ($366 on sale), use to display sonar
for around $400 less than an 1198 SI you end up with more screen space for both the gps map and the sonar than you would splitting a single large unit at the cost of doing without side imaging. i love my side imaging and use it all the time, but if it's going to be more "cool" than "tool" in your boat, go a different direction.
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| Plus the new touch screen ones. That's insane. Over 3k... |
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Posts: 10
| bigger the better. First figure out what you can afford then you know how much extra you have to save! From my personal experiences with electronics bigger is better and if you can not afford to go big then then your not ready to buy and just wait until you can. I would rather say "maybe I should have not got a screen this big" then "I wish I got a bigger screen"... |
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Posts: 257
Location: Valpo IN | 998cSI (2012) model good deal right now for about $1300 if you look around the net.. |
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Posts: 4342
Location: Smith Creek | If you can afford to raise SEVEN kids you can afford the 1198. In fact, after raising SEVEN kids you deserve the 1198.
Each kid comes up with $300 and you have the best Christmas present ever!
Edited by Flambeauski 11/28/2012 8:37 AM
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Posts: 206
| Honestly, there are some great new electronics out there...but we really need more competition. A lot more. I remember when the HD DLP TV came out (that's a projection style technology...yes seems ancient now) with 720 pixels. 7 years ago that 42 inch Sony TV was $2250 and it was outrageous but I had to have High def for a decent price. That TV finally just died and I bought a 48 inch LCD 1080 pixel TV to replace it for $600. Bigger and better for about 1/4 the cost.
Same thing needs to happen in the fishing electronics industry. I think Humminbird has lapped the field several times by being the first with side imaging, adding the 360 imaging, and now the iLink, hooking up with Lakemaster, etc. I would love to have all that in my boat - but for a combined $6-10k? Don't think so.
Congrats to Humminbird for coming out with the leading edge stuff. But Lowrance needs to catch up big time, Garmin needs to become a force...and about 2-3 other brands need to emerge as well. That competition will eventually bring the prices down like HD TV's have. Until then, better borrow into your 401(k) to deck out your boat with all the latest.
Edited by smalljaw 11/28/2012 8:44 AM
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Posts: 833
| The bigger screens are always nice. I run a 998 and 788 in my boat with the 788 upfront. If I were to upgrade, I'd make the 788 larger since that is the one I'm using when fishing. I'd be honest with yourself about whether you will use the SI/DI. It is great for certain things that 2D sonar cannot do, (life finding openwater bait, or getting a visual on irregularities in a weed line) but if you are fishing a system you know really well it might not add much value to your fishing. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Jerome,
You would use the side imaging.
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | I'm not a Techy,... So maybe I really don't need SI.?
I do want the larger screen but will probably do with out the added Cost of SI.
I kinda somewhat understand the concept,.... But,....
What does SI.really bring to the table anyway? Isn't DI. enough?
Jerome |
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Posts: 32955
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I spent an afternoon in Kevin Van Dam's boat,watching him use the SI, it was an amazing experience.
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Posts: 833
| I like SI better than DI. I fish Tonka, which is different than V, but here are things I use it for:
Getting a "visual" representation of irregularities in weedlines. Things like cuts, weed points, etc. become very clear
Very easy to see bottom hardness transitions on SI, combine with above on Tonka and that can put you on unfished gems
Finding Open Water bait fish. (I'm guessing you'd use this with the pelagic forage on Vermillion)
SI lets you see a much larger swatch of water than 2D or DI. It also presents it differently and that has advantages, kind of hard to explain unless you use the stuff.
I'm sure there is more you can do, but those are things that come to mind from my fishing. The biggest challenge I have with it is I only get on the water 2x a week. The technology is definitely the type of thing where you get out of it what you put into it and I do not always have the time to do the serious scouting that can produce the best result with this sonar. |
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Posts: 415
| I don't think I've ever heard someone say they regretted getting a bigger screen. Spend the money now and it will be worth it.
I also don't ever see there being much more in terms of competition, the market just isn't big enough, and probably won't be getting any bigger in the years to come unfortunately. |
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Posts: 392
Location: KY | I have the 798 with SI/DI. It is great! I cannot imagine going without SI now. My screen is small but it has helped me find the spot on spot dozens of times. When I go to N WI each summer it helps me break down new lakes in a hurry. Last summer I fished a clear med sized lake for the first time. I raised a fish over 35 feet of water and realized it was relating to baitfish not structure. I made a quick pass through the middle of the basin and found several more pods of baitfish. I ended up raising two more good fish before 10:00AM. I would not have done it without the SI. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | i bought a new boat last year at this time. i was working over time so when i bought my stuff i went all out i did not want to say i wish i would have. so i bought 2 1198 just started learning how to use the SI this fall when i had a guid in my boat. buy the 10" you wont be sorry |
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Posts: 69
Location: Pittsburgh | Steve; Please share The Van Dam experience. |
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Location: Watertown, MN | 10" is the only way jerome, heck see more people running pairs of 10's at console. The ability to got resize GPS and graph, the Map size just does not compare to a 8". Ran a 8 for week this year on buddies boat, thankfully new motor is in back of my truck as I type. 10" is the only way, side scan cool, not sure how much I too would use it? Look for used Lowarnce 110,111 or 112.
Troy |
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Posts: 114
Location: Kingston, Ontario | Think that the most under rated feature of the new finders is the abilty to do recordings.
You can record your raw sonar data (while you are using the finder for fishing) and then bring it home and play it back. You can change all the settings like doing it live on the water to see if you can get better images, see different things, but you can also set waypoints while playing back. This lets you focus on the water on fishing and do your mapping when you get back. Theres plenty of other stuff you can do with the recordings if you really want to get into it.
Upgraded to a 987c SI this year and the bigger screen is great but I got mine bargain basement used ($600). Any bigger size screen will be better in my opinion but is a matter of price. |
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Posts: 559
| Jerome I run a 5 and a 7 up front full screen gps on the7 and full screen DI on the five and it works great for me, I cant see very good either. The plus side to this is if one unit would lay down you still have one that works and the cost is less than a 10. But if you always fish out of the back of the boat and are reading the unit on the dash you are prolly going to need a 10" screen.
Ps I run the two units up front when I can remember to bring them with. |
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Posts: 13
| Spent all my money teaching my 25 year old son how to read my old black and white Garmin units... now i just sit back and wait for my trolling rod to get pulled into the water....good stuff.... no eyesight needed.... |
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Posts: 596
Location: deephaven mn | i think you can get by with the 900 series if you run the full map along with an additonal unit just for depth and bottom that's what i do 958c on bow with a lowrance IMark5, on the console is a 997si i'm blind, wore glasses all my life
the 1100 sereis would no doubt be better but your gonna pay a little more |
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Posts: 257
Location: Valpo IN | You guys that are running 2 units up front on the bow. Are you using 2 transducers on the trolling motor ? Thanks |
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | I'm hopefully gonna start upgrading my big boat this year. I'm planning on a 798 at the console which I figure since it'll be right there infront of me the screen size won't be a huge factor, and then an 1158 up front. I'd like an 1198 but giving up SI on the front of the boat, it can network, and both for less than 3k sadly don't seem too bad given the outrageous prices today. |
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Posts: 833
| polarkraftdave - 11/28/2012 10:24 PM
You guys that are running 2 units up front on the bow. Are you using 2 transducers on the trolling motor ? Thanks
Somethign to consider on SI in the front: SI requires a minimum speed to function properly, I beleive my manual says 2MPH, (bird unit) but I could be remembering incorrectly. How often is your trolling motor running at 2MPH+ while casting?
IMO, SI in the front is not a big value add, especially for the cost.
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Posts: 258
Location: Mayville, WI | Big screen - totally worth it. What I'd like to see happen is a waterproof monitor only at a decent price to use the video-out function. This way you don't have to drop the dime on 2 big units - just one and get a screen to mount up front.
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Bigger screens are nice, but the "massive" screens I think are just "cool." Meaning, I run an HDS8 and HDS7 and while I'd not want to use a 5, I've never thought I needed a 10. I do as many here suggest and use the units seperately. The 7 on the bow doesn't even have a transducer hooked up to it and is just for mapping. I used to have my Terrova's US2 on it, but the new Riptide doesn't hav US2, so it's gone, but I don't miss it. The 8 on the console is what I use while driving and navigating and then fishing, it's on a long 2.5" RAM mount and I spin it around and view it from the front and it's my sonar/LSS screen. Sometimes if I'm fishing a small section of a larger area, I'll have one of the units on the chart zoomed way in and the other screen is that area zoomed out so I know where I'm at on the whole structure.
For SI/LSS...I have it and I use it. But for the lake if fish it's not a game-changer. Nice to have and I can see stuff I wouldn't normally see and I cantell cabbage over grass in 14' of water by looking at downscan. That said, I can't wait to get back to Kodiak and use it to map rocks, kelp beds and reefs. It'll pay for itself it's first day back there. But on the bowl of sand that I fish now...I see alot of sand.
I'd suggest hopping in some buddies boats if you can and playing with their electronics and seeing what you like. Birds are great, but I'm a Lowrance guy because they're all I've used and I have messed around with Birds in some friends boats and they're cool, but I just still prefer my Lowrance. But I can say that confidently because I have messed with Birds. See how they have theirs rigged. Alot of suggestions here to use two units, but that may be a headache or a pain to you and you're better off with one huge screen. They make so many models just to fit everyone's price and preferences. Get what works best for you, not just based on the biggest screen and most features. For me, part of why I like Lowrance is I'm familiar with the menus and features...simple as that. |
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Posts: 5874
| If you view it as a toy, probably not worth it. If you view it as a tool, well, now you're spending your money wisely. |
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Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Shep, A boat is a ?.... Well it's a tool,.. or a toy..
A Bobcat is also a tool,... but when I'm moving dirt ,..It's a Fun Little Toy.
Screw the "tool" mentally,....(sounds like Work) I want a Toy.
With that said, and a little more research, I'll probably get the 1198c Si,,..... Problem is .....How do I hide the cost from the CEO ?? She can get pretty Nasty at times.
P.S. Pray for me, that I don't get caught........
Jerome
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | lambeau - 11/28/2012 5:53 AM
ask yourself whether or not you really want/need the side imaging. many people just use the map and sonar and don't benefit from the other technologies.
Trust me, you will need the SI once you start realizing what it can do your you. Even more so if you're a multispecies angler. |
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Location: 31 | Troyz. - 11/28/2012 12:57 PM
10" is the only way jerome, heck see more people running pairs of 10's at console. The ability to got resize GPS and graph, the Map size just does not compare to a 8". Ran a 8 for week this year on buddies boat, thankfully new motor is in back of my truck as I type. 10" is the only way, side scan cool, not sure how much I too would use it? Look for used Lowarnce 110,111 or 112.
Troy
...or a 113 with maps. I shoe horned a pair of 10s at the helm and think it's the nuts. For the 2D stuff I run a 113 with expanded GPS screen and a narrow sonar screen. For the 3D stuff (and weather radar) I run an HD10 with a narrow down veiw and expanded side imaging... the side scan really saves on the search time.
Edited by Jerry Newman 11/29/2012 7:28 PM
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Posts: 5874
| Top H2O - 11/29/2012 6:42 PM
Shep, A boat is a ?.... Well it's a tool,.. or a toy..
A Bobcat is also a tool,... but when I'm moving dirt ,..It's a Fun Little Toy.
Screw the "tool" mentally,....(sounds like Work) I want a Toy.
With that said, and a little more research, I'll probably get the 1198c Si,,..... Problem is .....How do I hide the cost from the CEO ?? She can get pretty Nasty at times.
P.S. Pray for me, that I don't get caught........
Jerome
Or you could always justify spending the bucks on a toy. hehehe
As mentioned, go as big as you want to afford.
I've said this many times before.
"Some is good, more is better. Too much is just right!" |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | was once told on a rifle purchase "buy the gun you can afford and the scope you can't" ...
correlation ---
- buy the boat you can afford and the electronics you can't
- buy the rod you can afford and the reel you can't |
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Location: 31 | jonnysled - 11/30/2012 12:00 PM
was once told on a rifle purchase "buy the gun you can afford and the scope you can't" ...
correlation ---
- buy the boat you can afford and the electronics you can't
Right on... We've all seen the expensive fishing boat with small out dated electronics... IMHO totally a backward purchase.
Getting back to the "is it worth it question" Whenever price becomes an obstacle for me I always look to pick the good stuff up used... and have had pretty good luck with this approach. I've got $2000 into the HD10, 113, brackets, and structures scan... there's no way I'd drop 2-3 k for one unit unless I won the lottery. Also buying used/piece meal helps to hide it from the Mrs too... if she knew how much I spent on fishing equipment I wouldn't be long to this world. |
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Location: deephaven mn | polarkraftdave - 11/28/2012 10:24 PM
You guys that are running 2 units up front on the bow. Are you using 2 transducers on the trolling motor ? Thanks
no, iam not using a transducer o the Humminbird, just using the mapping |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | the bird i have up front uses the si transducer i have in the back of the boat |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Pulled the trigger (pardon the pun,anti gun guys) on the 1198c-SI.....Should be a fun Tool to put more fish in the boat.
Jerome |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | con grats |
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Posts: 163
Location: lake st clair michigan | congrats ...you are gonna love the si .....lots of great videos on you tube to help you get started |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Once you have a year on the water with your new bird you will know how good of a tool you just added to your boat. I have ran my 1187SI for 5 years and it made me a much better guide and fishermen. You will see your fishing water much differently once you get good reading the SI. I can show clients weed points, pockets, cabbage, milfoil, coontail, etc all with one pass by the spot we are going to fish. I explain what direction and why each client is covering while casting. Much easier for clients to understand after watching the bird. Extremely usefull tool for a fishermen.
The people who say it's not worth the money have not been in a boat where someone knows how to read the SI completely. These units will teach even the best fishermen things they never knew about the spots they fish.
You will see the bottom of the lake over time like your standing on the bottom instead of looking straight down. Very very cool "TOY" or learning "TOOL".
I promiss you will be amazed at what your going to learn about the water you know already. Most people will never learn everything these units can teach you. Time on the water with your unit covering water will get you dialed in. From determining what kind of weeds, how tall, how thick, is there pockets, distinct weed edge, etc. Rock's, wood, sand, gravel, mud, clay, etc. It's all possible to determine on these units.
Worth the money?
Guess it depends on how serious you fish. I like to know as much about a spot I fish. Each and every spot I fish.
Do you drift a weed line or pick it apart with your trolling motor? Why not know that exact run with a 3mph pass laying down waypoints as your 75 feet away from your targeted area. Other graphs you have to drive over the spots to GPS them correctly. Your bird can lay waypoints from a distance. I can go on and on. WELL WORTH THE MONEY in my opinion. |
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Posts: 5874
| Mike WAS the best I know at reading and figuring out new water with his X-15 and a map. Since he got that SI, he's at a whole new level of ridiculous. I feel sorry for the fish where he goes now. |
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Posts: 265
Location: Hudson,WI | I have 2 and LOVE them!!
It's an expensive investment, but it's well worth the money.
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Posts: 62
| Jerom,
Now this is where Shep comes in. Tell the wife you hired a new guy (named Shep) and when he showed up for work, he did not have the right 'tools' for the job, so being a good employer you outfitted him with the right 'equipment' and of course you will be garnishing it out of his paychecks.
If she asks to see payroll, ( or just goes straight for the axe handle, point her in Shep's direction, cut her loose, as you hightail out the back door and run for the hills ! (With new 'tools' tucked safely away in the shed till the storm blows over) of course |
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Posts: 62
| Sorry Shep,
Its ALWAYS the 'new guy on the job's' fault !
Jerome, ...here's your 'e'. (must have fell) |
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Posts: 5874
| No problem. Not the first wife, or husband for that matter, to get mad at me!
Edited by Shep 1/10/2013 7:52 AM
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | t-bone blades - 1/10/2013 1:27 AM
Jerom,
Now this is where Shep comes in. Tell the wife you hired a new guy (named Shep) and when he showed up for work, he did not have the right 'tools' for the job, so being a good employer you outfitted him with the right 'equipment' and of course you will be garnishing it out of his paychecks.
If she asks to see payroll, ( or just goes straight for the axe handle, point her in Shep's direction, cut her loose, as you hightail out the back door and run for the hills ! (With new 'tools' tucked safely away in the shed till the storm blows over) of course
She does the payroll, so that won't work,....and she's crafty as heck.
I'm working my plan to hide this "New Tool" as we speak.
I spend about 2-3 thousand dollars a month on small tools,paint,job necessities,ect. at a local farm/hardware store that just so happens to sell fishing electronics.....I ordered the 1198SI and pay a couple hundred down a week without any "Red" flags being raised so far.......
Once it's on the boat and she sees it, I'm sure it will be Ok...???.... Right??
My back up plan??..... Shep made me do it!! |
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Posts: 304
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | Jerome,
You are ok until she finds this thread on Muskie First 
Have a good winter-- see you on the water this next summer. You should have plenty of time to heal by then 
Steve
Edited by Sorgy 1/10/2013 11:37 AM
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Posts: 62
| Oh crap Jerome, I was afraid that might be the case! The 'fleet' store is the next best thing!
Nothin better. ...(or worse) ? Than a tool stood that sells toys !
Good luck, I'm thinkin about goig that route some day, same deal with the eyes and not wanting to be too 'techy', Like 5th lake said, we have gotten spoiled running two sevens on the bow and two sevens on the councel, ..and i thought THAT was rediculous, till i saw the pic with two TENs on the councel ! Holy shnikee !!!
so let me know what you think after you get used to it. Thanks
Tom |
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