Side Imaging; who uses it?

Looking into purchasing a Humminbird  Helix 5 or 7.  Wondering what the consensus is as to whether side imaging is worth the extra?   
Thinking that an adjustable transducer mount will give the same result.   
 As long as you remember which way you point it.  

If your fishing lakes for bass, specific species or structure sure. I dont see the point if you constantly trolling like I do 99% of the time. I have a helix 5 g2 sonar/GPS. All I need. I just use it for my speed,depth,contour, and temp because I know what I'm fishing for and looking for. I rarely catch a salmon that I saw on the screen.

What's the best depth range for using side-imaging sonar, and what depths are too great for side-imaging sonar to be effective?  Is side imaging sonar primarily useful at relatively shallow depths, or does it also show structure and fish in deeper water?

I use it and find it to be a very useful tool for some of my fishing.

Hook2 5" triple shot.  Screen configuration:  wide angle sonar (top left), downscanning (top right), side scanning (across the entire bottom).  This image is from Siltcoos, showing a scattering of weeds coming up from the bottom.  Display also shows:  depth, SOG, temperature, and voltage.



1-  The side scanning is extremely helpful to me when bottom fishing near vertical rock walls that come up from the bottom, this is where I catch most of my lingcod.  CoosBay cribs, about 20' deep, sandy bottom, rock jetty wall comes up to the surface and in some areas (where it has collapsed) I pass over a rock debris field that comes up perhaps 5'.  Drifting along this area, the side scanning lets me see the rock wall to my side as I ease my way closer to it (the outgoing tide is usually trying to push me into and over the barely submerged jetty).  Knowing how close the rocks are and my rate of approach allows me to adjust orientation and propulsion, while tapping a squid or jig on the sandy bottom.  Same in the ocean off Sunset Bay, but in 20' to 80' of water, rock walls come up partway or all the way to the surface, the side scanning helps me avoid crashing my gear into the rocks and wasting time rigging up new gear.   

2-  Coastal lakes are shallow (20' max) with weeds and lots of large trees that fall and extend from shore and are a bit like icebergs- there is often much more under the water than exposed.  The side scanning really helps near-shore trolling or casting a spinner.  The thick weeds in these lakes often grow up from the bottom as much as 8' and then end abruptly, creating basically a vertical weed wall that the side scanning helps me fish near in the hope ( ) that a coho might be relaxing in that area.

cheers, roger 

Looks like it is coming down to a H5 or L5 with down imaging, possibly upgrading the transducer later for side view.