Man I came from lowrance HDS Gen 3 to the current Garmin Echomap Ultra 122's. Besides ease of use, I can't believe the difference in the sidescan, downscan and traditional sonar. If you cant figure out what the Garmin is seeing then I don't know what to say. If your friends works so great and yours does not, is there something your friend had done different on his installation. I also have livescope and have no issues. Everything works great. I did have my system installed by a dealer that only sales/installs fish electronic systems and trolling motors.