BigEbass, obviously you have lot more to learn with that technology. YES, I can check directly in front of the boat and every compass degree with SI on the trolling motor. I do it all the time. I check 360 degrees all around the boat while I am fishing. All it takes is to turn the trolling motor at slow steady pace and watch the display. Simple, easy, and effective.
It woks so well, that I will be putting a 1198c SI HD on my trolling motor when it gets shipped. The bigger screen will be easier to see while standing than the 798ci SI that I use now and switch between the console and bow.
Have you heard of Doug Vahrenberg, pro angler on the Humminbird Pro Staff?
You may want to check out his preference for SI location on his boat on some of the Side Imaging forums.
Down Scan-only units are being marketed by Lowrance, so evidently they think it will replace 2D. I don't agree with that but it's here for the 2011 models.