Embarrassed and feeling a little duped

[Ratherbfishing]

It IS very true what they say:   "If something seems to be too good to be true, it probably is" and also, "Be sure to read the fine print."  Silly old stupid me!  I bought what I thought/hoped was a side scan unit for my boat but it turns out, after sorting through the owners manual, that the side scan transducer is EXTRA and over half again as much as the "base unit".  I was like "What?!!!  Wait a minute!!!!"    I already HAVE a sonar and a separate gps.  I don't need another.   I considered just swallowing my pride and buying the extra transducer but the experience left such a bad taste in my mouth that I returned the #$%&@ thing to the store and got my money back.  I have a combined sense of embarrassment (because I probably should have known better and done more research) and anger because it really did seem like the company is subtly misleading-to the point where I feel duped.  Proper decorum prevents me from revealing the company but I am strongly compelled to caution those of you who, like me, don't want to throw your money away,  to research very carefully before you buy and especially BEFORE you install something on your boat.  If you are like me, you can read glossy fish finder advertisements until the cows come home and not know much more than I did before. ("Ah, yes, CHIRP!  Very nice!").  So ask, ask, and ask again!  And ask the right people.  Don't trust the salesman who might be inclined to guess or tell you whatever they think you want to hear.  And be extra careful to discern what it is you think you understand.  I am so glad it is winter and I hadn't dove into a quick installation job before perusing the manual.

(I just realized this needs to go in the electronics section but I don't know how to move it-  Can someone move this for me?)

Edited February 9, 2016 by Ratherbfishing
wrong section

[Ohio Archer]

The box should have listed what the unit was capable of.  I check all the info I can find online before going to the store (and not just the advertisements which can be wrong).  That way I know what I'm looking for and can ask questions that I already know the answer to or need some added info on to see if the sales folks know what they are talking about.  Some units look the same but have different capabilities.  Some can share info and display images from other units. 

If you haven't installed the unit take it back for a refund or credit toward the correct unit.

[Bass newb]

It happens occasionally. 

[slonezp]

Humminbird units are all inclusive. ....

[Choporoz]

The universe of fishing sonar seems to be shrouded in unnecessary mystery.  Except to Wayne, that is. 

[Turtle135]

does the name of the mfg rhyme with Mowrance? Strumminbird? Starmin? 

[FloridaFishinFool]

33 minutes ago, Turtle135 said:

does the name of the mfg rhyme with Mowrance? 

Yep! Same happened with me too. But the good news is I was able to resell the single transducer for about as much as I paid for the dual transducer. Then the head unit went out.