Like NCNAT I've had both, IMHO Lowrance customer service is awful and very expensive. I've gone to Hummingbird's and am completely satisfied with there quality, customer service, ease of use, features, etc..
Your mileage may vary.
Like NCNAT I've had both, IMHO Lowrance customer service is awful and very expensive. I've gone to Hummingbird's and am completely satisfied with there quality, customer service, ease of use, features, etc..
Your mileage may vary.
Ditto on the lowrance service. I would choose humminbird out of the two, personally I am a Garmin fan - FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! Best I have delt with. Nat is 100% right when he says any of them will break down.
I have had Lowrance on my boats for over five years and have had a couple of problems with my 520 but no more of a problem than any other computer that I have owned. The hold times can be long and frustrating just like any computer manufacturer. However, each time the problems were resolved satisfactorily.
I'm currently running a HDS 7 and I think that it's an awesome unit and I love the broadband sounding on the unit and the Insight Maps that are preinstalled are awesome. I recently installed the Structure Scan Module and have found another reason to love the Lowrance. When they talk about 1.5 inch target separation they're not kidding, I have spend time on Harris and Jordan and have been able to pick fish from the school on the screen. I spend a good bit of time running through timber on Jordan and was amazed at how clearly trees and rocks are defined and how much more information becomes clear from this system. Being able to use down imagining in comparison to the broadband sounding also has helped me better interpret the information on the sounder.
If you have any inclination toward the Structure Scan at some point, You should the HDS 8 as it allows for a triple split screen where the HDS 7 is only a double split screen. I have found myself wanting to view the StructureSCan, Broadband, and Charts all at the same time which would be possible with either the HDS 8 or HDS 10
YouTube - TapOut64's Channel
Here are four YouTube videos featuring side scanning from TapOut64. The link above should get you to all four. I sure hope the day comes when I can afford one of these.
Seen that video before... it is really cool. That's a Hummingbird 997 being used in that video. The latest model from Hummingbird is the 1197c SI and if you get the combo unit with the Navionics value bundle it's $2999.99 from BPS.Quote:
Originally Posted by JordanLimit
I have in my garage 4 defunct Lowrance GPS units. Admittedly they have accumulated over several years but I'm beginning to wonder about Lowrance. I've switched to Humminbird SI and we'll see.
I have an HDS 5 lowrance with lake insight; also give inshore at the coast, I love it. Last hummingbird I used was a Super 60
I have a Hummingbird 798 Ci Si and love it, the next best two price and screen wise is the 898 and 998 either one will do the job, it would be a close call between the 898 and 998, not a lot of difference for the money.
I've had Lowrance on my old boat...a lms-480m and I loved it. I just got a hb 597 ci hd DI and love it. It is way better than my old Lowrance. It seems you can get a little more bang for your buck with HB though.
I sell both brands and they both make top notch units. Most folks I see on here are comparing an Old Lowrance to their New HB. Not quite apples to apples.
If you take your favorite unit from both company's and throw them up in the air, whichever one you catch first will be a good one.
It's cheaper to buy one HB with SI than it is to buy one Lowrance with SS. If you're going to run two units together, it's cheaper to go with Lowrance. The reason is that with HB you have to pay twice for the SI because its built in to the unit, if you go with their upper end stuff, and then another 150 for an ethernet Interlink to network them. With two Low. units you only pay for the SS once because it isn't built in, and the SS doubles as the ethernet network link also.
I've not had any trouble with customer service from either company. Good Luck!! PM me for a price before you buy. Might save you a few bucks.