HaHa: 0
I realize Garmin was not on your list but just wanted to throw in.....
I have converted both ends of my boat to Garmin and very happy with the choice
blueball LIKED above post
I have a 1199 on the bow for my 360 and a touch 12 lowrance for everything else. I have both maps for the units and I prefer Lakemaster to the Platinum map in the Lowrance. I will be upgrading to the Solix after the 15's have been out for a couple of months. It will replace the 1199 on the bow so I can run the map, 360, si, and 2d. Needless to say I like both of them and both do a good job.
Don
Retired USN
lowrance hds touch all theway for me,best i have used.and humminbird customer service was absoulty NO help at all when i had a problem.clueless
wmac62 LIKED above post
Another, very much viable option out there right now is Garmin. If I was making a complete change, I would add them to the short list of options.
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I have been running two Garmin units since around November of last year. The sonar and imaging is solid, I am happy with my units. If I mark fish I tend to catch fish, that hasn't always been my experience with the other two brands. Maybe they don't take pictures of same quality as Mega or Hds but not a handicap to me finding structure or fish.
All that said though the original poster said he wanted the best mapping for Kentucky/Barkley. With Garmin at present time you are stuck with Garmin only for mapping. That is fine for Kentucky Lake but one step above hot garbage for Barkley at present time. I get by with the Fishsmart app/Lakemaster map for Barkley. Maybe Garmin will scan Barkley some day or atleast source decent data.
If mapping is important and it should be, hard not go with Humminbird for the Lakemaster if you like the imaging.
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I've seen the down imaging on both, and the birds look the best to me. the DI on the Helix units look awesome!!
Like my HDS7 but only had for a few months. At first wasn't set up good but met Lowrance rep at Cabelas and talked to me about it. He commented to me he wished I had the boat with me. My lucky day I did. In the pouring down rain he set up both units properly and upgraded both units software. I fish Taylorsville and guess where he conducts classes to teach you how to properly use all those fancy things most of us never do... Taylorsville. Now that's customer service even though I lucked into running into the guy.
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