hey, guys.
i have an HDS-5X and an HDS-5M
i have a small center console and did not particularly want a "split unit"
even a 7" or 8" model will only give you a 3.5" or 4" screen if you display both FF & GPS
I wanted a full 5" screen for both my FF and GPS
fortunately i won the Boater's World "Boat Supplies for Life" sweepstakes at the boat show a couple years ago and i used my winnings to get 2 HDS units.
(unfortunately they went belly up and i lost out on about $18,000 worth of payouts
)
i installed them this spring and i have been very happy with them
still trying to figure out which backgrounds and which settings i need to be the most effective on the water but they are great
my unit came with dual freq ducers...50/200
one thing i would like that is not in the 5 series is tides on the GPS.
it is available on a software upgrade but not worth the couple hundred to upgrade at this time because the software from the factory is fantastic right out of the box with shaded relief maps, etc.
i am going to get a speed wheel so i can determine my speed through the water which is very important when targeting suspended fish
but, of course that is another hundred or so after the new cables and the wheel itself.
bottom line...great unit and i would recommend it to anyone