I did lot of checking before getting my HDS 5 mostly trying to find out what maps were available. The Topo maps that come built into the unit are top notch & the GPS screen moves very fast unlike older units were you had to crank the detail down to avoid screen lag.
The HDS 5 comes in 3 flavors  Base maps  Lake maps Or with Nauticpath
Base maps are just that a few lakes have Topo that are very lame Lake Maps are high detail maps of all the lakes in the US But!!! Do not cover Lake WA or Sammamish  Nuticpath salt water and those lakes but no other lakes LAME so why spend any more on lake maps if getting a HDS 5 you can use navionics chip & the new chip has WA & SAM on its lake maps now.Cost for Lowrance map units are about $100 more then base map.

The HDS 7,8 & 10 do not have the mapping limits  You can get with maps or with out They have what is called Insight USA that covers all lakes & salt

The HDS 5 uses cathode for back lighting the 7 uses LED. LED might be better in the long run & more impact resistant.

On the water. The screen is very bright & easy to see even when I have my polarized glasses on but the screen does smudge easy probably why they include a cleaning rag with it So keep your paws off LOL

The menus are confusing & are a very big change over past units so expect a learning curve.

The image of the bottom contour is the best I have seen even in the thick weeds I can still see a clear bottom line.The color line is way better then in the past & finding wood or rock on the bottom is much clearer. Most of this will not matter once SI is on.
I might make a few recordings & post.
Last thing to buy with a transducer or with out If you have a Blue connector then you are set. Be sure when you set up the unit to select the transducer you have in the menu.
Now here is the best price on the net to buy one.
http://www.jthelectronics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?

Hey did you flush mount your unit? I plan on moving my 5 to the front & flush mounting it but it is larger then the old units by about 1/4 inch funny thing is the screen is about 1/8th smaller  The one nice thing is it is an internal antenna & it can be flush mounted & still receive the sat unlike the 520.
I don't think your Nep-1 will work with side scan you will need to swap it out with the LSS-1 but who knows you might get lucky.

Are you ready to be amazed.
http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1009/671543_video.html?ref=newsstory#

Pretty Cool!  Gee, now I wish I had been a good boy this year - cause I want one for Christmas!  Unfortunately Santa knows all... and that ain't gonna happen!

The question was asked on another site IF HB has been out with SI for many years B4 Lowrance then why did no one find that bridge before?
I was sure HB would come out with downward 3D imaging but HB has still has no networking and I want a unit at the bow & at the console.

Smitty, I have been wanting to upgrade my old Pin Point I have on the bow. How much do ya want for the 332C?  Then I'll have to also ask, could it be networked with the 522iC I have on the counsel?

A call to Lowrance, or a question on the Sonar & Electronic board at BassBoat Central will answer the question regarding the networking, although I think they will.  I networked my other 332C with an LCX 28HDC and an HDS 5.

I would like to get $150.00 for the unit and antenna.  There is no sonar puck transducer with it, as it is still epoxied in the bottom of my Stratos and being used by the HDS 5 now.

Smitty

AKA Dune Hopper