HELP!!! Lowrance vs. Hummingbird... is either one really better than the other?

We were planning on going with the Lowrance HDS series electronics for our boat but after making many calls I am now unsure. I was given the sales pitch on Hummingbird products with some not so good stories about Lowrance. What are you guys using now and do you have any thoughts about the state of the art electronics from these two companies... is one really any better than the other?

Also there seems to be a pricing sweet spot for these types of units... from what I have seen it is the Lowrance HDS-7. It looks to be the biggest screen size for the money with all other things seeming to be equal. Any feedback on this issue would be greatly appreciated. We are meeting with some dealerships on next Monday where I hope to order and pay for this stuff on the spot so I need some feedback in a hurry. Many thanks for some input... nccrappiegirl

I'm running HBs and have no complaints. I had some lower end Lowrances in the past and didn't like them. I think a lot of it is just personal preference.

I have always liked Humminbird.

I have a 727 HB and have no problems with it.

I have had both and both worked fine. Good luck with whichever you get.

I have the Lowrance HDS8 with side/down imaging and love it. It was a little pricey but hopefully will last for years to come. In my opinion, it's what ever you are comfortable with and can afford. Everyone I talk to seems to think so as well. I switched from HB to Lowrance over the summer and haven't looked back, although the first couple outings was doubtful. I primarly striper fish in the winter and crappie fish in the spring and fall. I really like the HDS8 for its clarity and speed. The side/down imaging is great for structure and covers alot of ground quickly. The higher end HB's have the same thing but I have not used one so I can't speak for them. Good luck on which ever you purchase.

my ol' lowrance x96 is wonderful just gotta know how to interprit what it shows you, same with them all, i have been interested in this sideimaging but can't justify the cost, just yet, both are brands that have been around a good while, check out the main forum on side imaging atlast check it was 17 pages and should prove helpful.

I have had both- hated the Lowrance X51's that came with my boat. Took 'em off and threw them away and replaced with HB.
That was after I amde a call to Lowrance technical help and got a "It's a year old - what do you expect?":(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chief

"It's a year old - what do you expect?":(

---

Ouch!

I have had both brands. Both brands will break down. Lowrance customer service sucked when I needed them and Humminbird was top notch. I will never buy another Lowrance because of their customer service or lack of I should say.

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JordanLimit

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.

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.

i've got a freind who fishes buggs all the time he has hds7 and loves his

I have two HS SI's. You say potato, I say potato. You won't go wrong either way.

I have a HB 997 and like it except for the DONUT, doesn't show where you are at low speeds below .5 MPH so you can drift way off your brush pile and not know it till you get moving at a fast enough speed to get out of the donut mode. According to video's I have seen the Lowrance does a great job of showing where you are at slow speeds .2 -.3 Mph with no donut effect. I can only hope HB comes up with a fix for their units in the near future. Ferdi aka Fred