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jandhproducts.com finally posted their prices for the new HB units today and I thought maybe that would help me make the HB vs. Lowrance decision. It didn't. Here's the units I'm considering and the prices on their site.
HB:
858
898
Interlink
$2260
Lowrance:
HDS7
HDS7
Structure scan addon
$2459
They are so close that I don't know what to go with. Not sure if it comes down to warranty or not. Guess I may have to flip a coin at this point.
Call both their customer service departments.
Who ever picks up the phone first is the one I`d go with.
Fun ain't it! Just keep looking for a while. The "buyers remorse" let down is bigger when you get up that high!
Good luck.
Dayton
I can only speak on our product line. We have a better pixel count displayQuote:
Originally Posted by mduncan62
480v x 800h and we have 50 channel gps receiver.
We have a proven product in the market place in Side Imaging. We have been in the market for 5 years. We are releasing the new SwitchFire 2D Sonar. Our 2D Sonar is as good if not better than anyone in the market place.
If you would like to call our Customer Service Rep's here is there number.
800-633-1468.
If you have any technical question about theses products you can call me directly. My number is 334-687-6613 ext.1251
Joby Smith
like anything duncan, we make the best decision we can then do what the heck we thought was right, I struggled for a while and went with lowrance, because I had hummimbird so went with something different, and so far am happy, good luck.
and one more thought, customer service is a hit and miss type of deal, sometimes you get a response as promised and sometimes you don't with all companys. H L OR G
I can speak for Humminbird Service. I would say we have the best service in the industry. You can talk to our Rep's and get through to talk to a Rep and in our service department we have a 3 day turn around. If you have to use it.
And this ain't smoke! I've used 'em. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Joby @ Humminbird
I'll have to back Joby up on this 1. I've had to use them 3 times. 1 Bad internal antenna on a 797. 1 broken plug on a new 580 GPS antenna. And 1 software problem on the same unit. Problems solved quickly with no hassels and never cost me a penny other than gas to take the units to UPS.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joby @ Humminbird
I also had a "lockup problem" on my Matrix 87c (old unit) last year & called Jody personally. Got the answering machine but he called me back.
Several years back I had a Low. unit & called in for help; Stayed on hold for almost an hour and when I finally talked to someone I was told the unit was out of warranty and probably needed to be replaced. :mad: Two year old unit. Bet the darn thing didn't have 150 hours on it! Come to find out they had a lot of problems with that unit and didn't stand behind them. Never again. I'm the kinda guy that once you poke me in the butt you don't get a second chance at that spot. Ask the local Chevy dealer.
And when was the last time you saw a Lawrance Rep. on here?
Joby & Greg stick around even with all the hammering we give'um. I for 1 have voiced my dissatisfaction with the slow refresh rate on my 797's and 997. They have been steady working toward a fix and DI for my 997 as a bonus.
Come on Lowrance Reps. Chime in anytime.
Now with all that said, I reserve the right to change my mind at the drop of a hat! :D
I now have the 1197 and the 797 with interlink and I do not have a bit of remorse.
Short story.
I was preparing for a big tournament and just a few days before had an issue with my 797 (that was likely my fault). I called someone answered in minutes they were giving me options like ship it to us tell us where you will be and we will overnight it back. Seriously they had the attitude to do whatever it took to make me happy. You just do not see support like this anymore in the marketplace.
Also they have no problem answering all those little questions you will have after you get the unit.
Humminbird is the only products I will have in my boat unless they let the customer service go bad.
Well said.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiskers
HB all the way. Ive always ran HB, but I bought a boat that had a Lowrance on it. Short story is it only lasted 1 month before I ripped it off and put a HB 597 on it
I prefer the form and function of the Lowrance...hands down - speaking 2D and GPS here. That being said, I'd be hard pressed to drop that kind of money on a Lowrance given their state of customer dis-service. On top of that, you've got Joby and Greg right here to answer all your what ifs and what abouts just cause they love us so much. And, as if that weren't enough, if you go H'bird and don't like it, you can beat Joby up on Monday, Greg up on Tuesday and start over again on Wednesday. :)
Speaking of form and function - The "advertised" software releases for the SIs and the structure scan for free that's coming (except for my 797 - remind me to beat up on Joby when I get done with this post), makes the form/function thing I was talking about almost moot - assuming it's as advertised......which it prolly will be.
Get the H'birds and sleep well at night. This coming from a Lowrance guy. And Cane Pole knows I'm right.
Wannabe...
Branding ain't my concern. I got some of all brands. I have no favorites. I like my Lowrance lcx27 2d sonar and I like my HB997 SI and I like my Garmin 276c GPS. That is why I got these cause I like them.
If anyone is paranoid about failures and need your diapers changed, buy HB.
If anyone insecure about button pushing, buy HB.
They are here to help and they know how.
Again, I agree with Wannabe...Setting agreements records here..
I can speak for Joby and Humminbird. Whatever they are paying him, it should be more!!!! I had a bad gps puck on my 797 and a fishing trip that weekend, talked to Joby and he had one here in 2 days. Top notch, they have a customer for life.
I have had the si unit for over two years and my boss is a die hard Lowrance man. I believe the Lowrance is a fine piece of equipment and I have talked to several people that have them. So with that said, I must agree with most of the feedback you have so far. I know that Hummingbird is much easier to get support from. Last summer I watched my boss almost stroke out dealing with Lowrance customer support. He now owns a Hummingbird.
Sounds like a tough call, but if the customer service is better and you were happy with the others, I'd stick with HB... By the way - not sure if you saw my post on this section or not about my 797 and 788 - someome mentioned built in maps - do these have any, or do I need to get a navionics card :D
good luck with your decision! you'll be happy either way
Quote:
Originally Posted by mduncan62