lowrance hds 10 or humminbird 1198

I posted this earlier under the title of "new sonar" and didn't get the response that I had expected. So I'll try this title to see if anyone has any more advice. Wilbur, I do appreciate the ideas that you presented. Thanks.

(Original post) I am trying to choose between a Lowrance HDS 10 and a Humminbird 1198. Which one would be superior in regards to performance, reliability, and customer service?

It appears that the side imaging and down imaging come with the Humminbird and the Lowrance would require a separate $600 StructureScan system to accomplish the same thing. Am I correct?

Reason most people are hesitant is these kind of questions normally start a usses versus themens kinda thing. They can normally get kinda heated. But you are correct that you need the extra $600 item if you go the Lowrance system.

Read all you can about each companies customer service record and make up your own mind.

I could tell you which one I prefer but only in a PM. Another great person to ask is Tom user ID Canepole. He is an electronics whiz and will give you the straightest scoop on them.

Sure would be nice if-in we could keep this post going --if only if folks would post their "likes" only & why or why's.. With a no bash policy towards other unit/brand. To hays47I would appreciate u pm'ing me your choice & promise to delete after reading-thanks(no I am not taking survey but hope to be in market depending on Docs tests in a month or so to confirm that I did beat the prostrate C..... stuff.)

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Originally Posted by jaxsprat

Sure would be nice if-in we could keep this post going --if only if folks would post their "likes" only & why or why's.. With a no bash policy towards other unit/brand. To hays47I would appreciate u pm'ing me your choice & promise to delete after reading-thanks(no I am not taking survey but hope to be in market depending on Docs tests in a month or so to confirm that I did beat the prostrate C..... stuff.)

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Jack, I had the prostrate C....stuff, very advanced stage a couple years ago, doc took it out & now I'm testing 0 for PSA. Good luck.

x2 (jack)

Both will do the job. The performance is about equal, with the edge to Lowrance on the down imaging. The HB is easier to use (out of box). You have to tweak the HB more than the Lowrance out of box. Lowrance has lots more features.

As a stand along unit, HB is easier to install as it requires less components to configure for 2d, down and side imaging. Lowrance is more flexible with its capability of Ethernet, NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 interfacing capabilities.

I like both units and gripe openly about stuff I don't like about either. I am right and they are wrong.

I don't have issues with either HB of Lowrance customer service. They both been good to me.

Any unit will only perform as good as it's operator. Performance is in the eyes of the beholder ( the owner).

I agree with canepole,it comes down to what you like.Both brands are great units.I just purchased a new HDS unit.For some reason Lowrance is getting alot of bad publicity about there customer service from what I have heard and thats only hearsay.I personally have not experienced that as of yet.Good luck,I think you will be happy either way.PM me and I can tell you where to get some good price's on either one.

I've had my 1197 for nearly a year now....

I have found only 2 things I don't like about this unit (and both can be fixed by HB if they will just listen to us crappie fishermen)

The down imaging is lacking IMO because it is a computer rendition of the SI images and not from it's own Xducer crystals...

The "Donut" sucks bigtime.....:mad::mad::mad:

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

I've had my 1197 for nearly a year now....

I have found only 2 things I don't like about this unit (and both can be fixed by HB if they will just listen to us crappie fishermen)

The down imaging is lacking IMO because it is a computer rendition of the SI images and not from it's own Xducer crystals...

The "Donut" sucks bigtime.....:mad::mad::mad:

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I would of really though both of these would of been corrected on the 1198....l

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Originally Posted by jaxsprat

I would of really though both of these would of been corrected on the 1198....l

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IMO the reason that HB has not addressed the "donut" issue is because it only really affects us "Slow Technique Fishermen"
...those fishermen that fish slower than 0.5mph...mainly crappie fishermen...

I mean, let's face it, bass fishermen never fish below 0.5mph so the "Donut" never affects them..

And it's also obvious that HB caters to the bass fishermen because that's HB's biggest customer base....

So until us "Slow Technique Fishermen" get enough people to scream loud enough for HB to hear us...SADLY.. the "Donut" will not be addressed....