Walleyeone: if your quote - "basically looking at a newer easy to use finder" is the Key Phrase in this query, we'll relate our experience from last Fall.
Our new boat came with a Humminbird 5 incher, and we've always been a Lowrance user. So we began looking for alternatives, and ended up with a "Hook 9" with split screen Finder/GPS, and other tech stuff that will be handy down the road.
Bottom line, comparing the two units, (forget about size - we're old and the eyes need bigger pictures 'n type), is simple: the 'Birds' have VERY tiny type AND buttons, roughly half the size of the 'Hook' units. PLUS... the Hooks' use roughly HALF the number of buttons to do the same job. For ease of operation: in our opinion, the Hook is MUCH easier, and ready to go right out of the box.
Final thought: you'll find Lawren at RadioWorld incredibly helpful with questions and suggestions. Call him, or email, and your answers will be back in a blink... except on weekends. Seriously; and their prices are as good as you'll find anywhere, or usually they match price.
Rgds, Wordpecker
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