touch screen vs sidescan

[cajun bill]

Got a buddy who is trying to decide between two Garmin chartpolotter/gps/sonar units. It appears to him that with the budget he is working with, approximately $1,100-$1,300, he can either get the touchscreen version that only has dowscan sonar or the non-touchscreen version that would include sidescan also.

Since I have a Lowrance Elite 7 HDI, he was asking me for advice and I told him that I would buy "up" in technology, i.e. get the touchscreen version and forego the sidescan since he (and we) only saltwater fish and probably wouldn't have as much use of the sidescan as say a bass fisherman might have. While I don't have the touchscreen version (or the sidescan), I truly wish I had spent a few extra $$$ and got it. Paging down thru all the menus is a PIA. I think if he gets the touchscreen version, he can later add the sidescan with a "black box" and another ducer. He only wants Garmin because he has that bada$$ reef chip for the VB/MI area that is only available in Garmin version.

The two Garmin units he is considering are the 74SV (not touchscreen, but includes sidescan and transducer) at $1,100 and the 741XS, (touchscreen, but no sidescan and transducer has to be purchased separately) at $1000 + cost of transducer.

Any advice?

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