I've used Lowrance for years. The 300 was junk, the 100 couldn't be read half the time but worked perfectly, my present 500 is fantastic for the money...best value on the market. One thing to consider is the resale value in the event you want to upgrade. Garmin brings the most $$, and I've never heard a disparaging word about the 196. Lowrance units don't seem to be at all intuitive for some reason. Way too much unnecessary button pushing required for some of the more common tasks...as if the people who design them have never actually USED one.
Between the L-1000 and the G-196: I'd take the 196
