Thread: lowrance or hummingbrid

That is a loaded question as is. You need to go into more detail. Like how do you normally fish. Where, Depths? What do you expect to get out of a new unit? How much do you want to invest? etc.

I think if you do a search you will find threads on this subject.........It is a question guaranteed to stir up trouble.

The I-pilot doesn't make any difference unless you plan to replace the I-pilot with the link.

Both great technologies. Take your pick and you won't go wrong.

Each brand has strengths and weaknesses when the decision is simply H or L (or G or S or R or F or "eny-meny-miny-moe"...)

Let's start with the different sonar technologies in your interest spectrum...

*2d will give a "cartoon like" image of stuff under the boat...
*DI will give a "picture like" image of stuff under the boat...and out to the side a few feet...
*SI will give a "picture like" image of stuff under the boat...out to the side 100+ feet...and which side of the boat...
*GPS/Chartplotting will allow easier navigation and the ability to mark interesting pieces of structure that can be returned to in future fishing expeditions...

Price goes up for each added sonar technology...
Price goes up for extra "bells and whistles"...
Price goes up for bigger display...

What is your budget...??

Then we can decide which sonar technologies, added features, and display sizes that will fit into your budget...

Then we can see which brand offers those things you want in the price range you have...

Rickie

Both are great units. Birds side scan is best, but Lowrance down scan is best. Customer service used to be a knock on a Lowrance, but they've improved greatly. I had an issue with my 8 the other day and called them while still on the water. Representative stayed on the line with me and walked me through several trouble shooting measures until we got the problem resolved. Regardless of which you go with, buy the biggest screen you can afford.

not wanting to stir up trouble just wondering who's got what and why they picked it . thanks for the feed back

Originally Posted by aslong27

not wanting to stir up trouble just wondering who's got what and why they picked it . thanks for the feed back

It's a Ford/Chevy thing, both have strengths and weaknesses. Decide what your budget is and then compare units in that range, compare apples to apples. The more features a unit has the more $$$ it cost, just like cars. Don't buy a $500 dollar unit and expect to get the same results a guy with a $2000 unit is getting. How do you fish? What are you looking for in a df? Will you need to network units later? The technology in these things is amazing.

I prefer Lowrance and have touch units along with a Gen-1 7. Until I got my first touch I thought it was more of a gimmick, it's not. Navigating the menus are so much faster, changes are easier. Plus they have the Structure Scan built in.

My advise, compare units in the same price range, if you know someone with these models see if they will take you out and see them in action. Put little stock in manufacturer supplied images or simulator images. Salesmen at the big box stores most of the time don't know what they're talking about. A lot of the complaints and knocks on either brand are self inflicted. People simply do not take the time to read their owners manuals, there is a lot of information in them, take them to the lake and push the buttons to learn the unit. As mentioned buy the biggest screen you can afford, you'll never hear anyone say "my screen is to big" .
The best advice I have, once you buy whatever strikes your fancy. Get out on the water and enjoy it .

One last thing, talk to some of the board sponsors, they will give you unbiased opinions and probably know more of the features than any of us on this board. I personally use Brian at BBG Marine, very knowledgeable and more than willing to help. His prices are great and his shipping is fast.

i agree with justinp61 and i bought my units from brian at BBG Marine a board sponsor