Graphs Lowrance vs. Humminbird

[slabsntaters]

I am considering changing out my humminbird graphs for the new Lowrance Hds with structure scan graphs. Has anybody got any experience with both brands and why did you choose that brand over the other brand.

[luvpt]

I have been using the HB 997 for a couple of years now and really like it a lot. The Hummingbird seemed to be a bit more user friendly from my previous experience with Lowrance units. I have a good friend who has the big Lowrance Hds with additional readout at the bow which is an absolutely fantastic system and setup. As far as technical quality of what you see on the screen the HB and Lowrance are both great. The side imaging gives another dimension of viewing what is underneath the water which is very helpful if you know how to use that information.

[rockmike]

I have two HDS8's connected by Ethernet, and I really like them so far. I have HB on my other boat, and while HB's a little more user friendly, I think I like the Lowrance the most. Also, no donut.

[RCC]

S&T what are you using now? I'm using a low end Humminbird. No donut for me because of using external gps through the nmea input. I would like to upgrade also, but I don't know if it will benefit me enough to do it.

[BigRiverMarine]

I am considering changing out my humminbird graphs for the new Lowrance Hds with structure scan graphs. Has anybody got any experience with both brands and why did you choose that brand over the other brand.

SnT, I sell both brands, and they are both nice. They are both user friendly and both work just like you would expect, once you get familiar with them. They're no harder to learn than a new phone. It's all menu driven commands.

The major difference is when you buy the bigger units. With the Lowrance, 8 and 10, you do get the advantage of 4 different screens of information. You can see everything at once. With the HB you only get two screens of info, but you don't have to buy an extra piece of gear (structure scan unit) it's built in and if you're only buying one unit the HB will cost you less.

If you are going to buy two units, the Lowrance will cost you less because you only pay for the Structure Scan once. The Structure scan also acts the same as the HB Inter Link (which cost you 150 more to link two HB units). So you can share information between two Lowrance units at NO extra cost thus offsetting even more of the SS's original cost.

In the end, I use the Lowrance HDS 7 up front and the HDS10 at the dash with the SS unit on them. Wish I had an 8 up front though. I love having the 4 screens of information. I also like the regular sonar images much better on the Lowrance. To me it's shows a more accurate picture in standard 2D sonar. I do use the Navionics cards in my units.

Hope this helps. PM me if you need more detailed info on these units.

[hoxiedog]

Great question and great answers...I know a lot more than I did know...is there any significant difference in quality between the brands...I mean to say which one holds up the best?

[hoxiedog]

I also wonder if a northeast Arkansas fisherman that never fishes big water would even need a "high speed low drag" graph...I have a HB 728 that I know I am using about 60% of its capabilities...never mind...just answered my own question...

[rockmike]

Lowrance initially had some quality problems with the HDS units, but they seem to have resolved those. My HB's have been pretty bulletproof. I really like the brightness of the HDS units, especially in 2D.

[BigRiverMarine]

I've had minor issues with both brands. There is NO best brand, they are both great units. It's just a personal thing. It's what YOU like. I like the Lowrance for the reasons I mentioned earlier, but the next guy might like the HB better. Most people will like the one THEY have best, but I have my pick. I sell em both.

[BigRiverMarine]

Lowrance initially had some quality problems with the HDS units, but they seem to have resolved those. My HB's have been pretty bulletproof. I really like the brightness of the HDS units, especially in 2D.

What he said about the HDS units x2. Much better 2D sonar in the Lowrance units. All of em.