I have a HB 787C2i on the console of my boat, and have been real pleased with it. On the front, right now I'm running an Eagle 640C. I bought it to replace an Eagle 480, the mount and all were compatible. Verdict still out on it. I think for the money, it's a pretty decent unit. I bought it from Wally World for around $500.00.
I think eventually, I'll end up with some kind of side-imaging at the console and move the 787 up front and try to link them. I think that is possible. Just not possible for me to afford it right now.
I think for the customer service aspects, I would go with a bird product.