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Going to buy one or the other in the next week or so and was looking for some expert advise. The 998 is some cheaper but I've always had lowrance finders. I'm sure they're both good but would like to hear from people that already have experience with them. Does the 998 just have one transducer where the HDS 8 needs two and do both units have internal gps or do they need external antenna? Not looking for a bashing just your experiences and preference for one of these units.
The HDS needs 2 transducers and a blackbox No antenna unless you prefer external. 998 one TD and external gps thaT comes with it
I'm simple, so it's not hard for me HB 998 :) not as much wiring. Just my 2 :D
go with the bird, with the 8 you gotta but the side scan, plus heres the biggy, you can get the bird fixed years down the road. lowrance wont fix them after a new model comes out. Even then their customers service is the worse
I would call this speculation, not fact.Quote:
Originally Posted by baitman
Well maybe yes & maybe no...I know several people who have had problems with a Lowrance, In every case they were told by Lowrance that Lowrance does not support a unit that is more than 3 years old, that Lowrance would give them 200-400 (depending on present model) credit towards a new unit. So a couple hundred or so off a $800-2000 unit? Yes this has been past practice, but is it going to change or stay this way for years to come?? I don't know, & I don't know if Hb policy of support going to stay same either? I will tell you I am not spending $2000 every 3-4 years on a new unit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
I have a 997 on one boat and a HDS8 on another, and I like the HDS 8 best, probably. I have two connected by Ethernet cable and I like the way they share data and that I can view SI on both units. The GPS will track at speeds below .6 mph. The 997 is more user friendly, and probably more durable. HB customer service is great---read a lot of horror stories about Lowrance CS, but I've not experienced it.
I'm with cane pole and rockmike on this, when someone ask me about humminbird or lowrance i just tell them to keep researching. do not like to slam, i never had any issues with lowrance customer service so far, the picture on the lowrance is a lot clearer than the humminbirds i had, the two guys i sold the humminbirds to still speak to me so they are happy.
I like my two Lowrance HD's.
I have the hb 997 and my uncle has the hds 8 with structure scan. It would be a coin toss when it comes to performance but for me the decision would be easy if you like "simple", which would be the hbird. Im not very electroncs savy and have a hard time navigating from screen to screen blah blah blah with the lowrance. The performance is just as good though performance wise in my opinion. hb is going to be cheaper screen size to screen size though.....
Its ford vs chevy.....Both units will get you what your looking for most likely, although I went Lowrance even when Lowrance here wasnt cool. Am totally happy with my hds8 and 7 and side scan. Mine are linked together and I have one fish finder transducer on tm, one on back, and side scan ducer on back as well...See bottom and side scan on both units with sonar/fish from the two separate transducers. I can be up front and network my sonar(see what the back sonar transducer says at the front) and I can set waypoints on one unit and it stores them on both since they are linked together through the side scan unit..........Hb or Lowrance both have a good product to offer. You just make up your mind which fits for you is all. Good luck with your choice..........PS>>>> I had a friend who had his Lms-522-gps unit go bad about a year ago, and sure enough, just as the guy posted a few post back, they didnt fix his older model. They sent him a brand new unit.....I know for a fact that he didnt mind that except for he lost waypoints.
Just went thru the process and purchased the HB 998ci SI for the following reasons.
I have the I Pilot with transducer in trolling motor which means a transom mount for new unit.
I am usually in the front of my 1660 Lund while trolling and want to see screen then as well as while cruising.
Which means the unit must me mobil, which didn't seem practical with the Lowrance.
Most reports I read said picture quality about the same with the HB being somewhat more user friendly.
I liked the way Hummingbird Greg answered all my questions and truly feel free to call upon him with more questions once it is on the boat 1/25/11.
Thats why I always keep a updated copy of waypoints on a SD cardQuote:
Originally Posted by GoneCrappieFishing
So far..this is the biggest issue with current HB owners...Quote:
Originally Posted by rockmike
If HB would eliminate this issue..it would be a lot easier for potential customers trying to decide HB or L...
Just buy whatever you think makes you happy. If you don't like it, sell it and buy the other.
I addressed the slow speed issue with Greg in an email:Quote:
Originally Posted by rnvinc
How will the 988c SI function @ speeds under 1 mph?
It works well. Some even use it while anchored or drifting. Now when moving very slow you would need to slow the display speed down or objects and the bottom would be distorted but it is fully capable of working at this speed.
Greg Walters
The issue I speak of is not the SI at less than 0.6mph...it is the boat icon on the chart view...the dreaded "Donut"...(when the unit ain't smart enough to know which way I'm movin)...Quote:
Originally Posted by tourdriver
And I repeat...if HB would eliminate this "Donut" issue on the chart views...it would be easier for potential customers to decide HB or L...
The boat icon turns into a donut below .6mph. GPS is working, but gives no boat direction, only a donut.. A circle has no beginning or end, therefore it has no direction.
I have the HB. I like it just fine! But I recommend you get the Lowrance that way you will not have to deal with the dreaded "Donut"!!! I tell everyone that ask me what I think about my HB, about the dreaded Donut and I always recommend the Lowrance. Just go to the store and play around with them. Let us know what you get and what you think about it.
I had a Lowrance unit, cost about $1800 new. Right at 2 years old, it had a problem, so I called Lowrance to see if they would look at it. I called and called, but never got through to a real person. Ended up using their customer service e-mail. I did have several communications back and forth, with the summary being they would not even look at the unit. Too old! They gave me a certificate to get a discount on a replacement unit, with $126 being the biggest discount, and less for cheaper units. Would I buy a Lowrance again? Yes, but there would have to be a definite advantage of it over HB for me to do it. I've never experienced HB's customer service, but one thing I know, is it can't be any worse than Low. Something about spending $1800 and after 2 yrs, it magically turns into a boat anchor, is not very appealing.
I did just purchase a new HB 788 for the front and 798 with side and down imaging for the console, and networked them together.. I compared to the Lowrance for ease of use, and simplicity of installing. I preferred the HB (obviously). Which actually performs better, I really don't know. That would take a side by side comparison. Anyone want to send me a comparable Low system for free so I cn make that comparison? :-).
Both companies make good products, and maybe my my experience with Low was the exception. Good luck either way you go!
jim
I don't think HB actually realizes that current HB users are recommending prospective customers should choose Lowrance simply because HB refuses to address the "Donut"....Quote:
Originally Posted by BamaMan
Greg....Joby....are your "Powers That Be" listening...??
If that doesn't get some attention, nothing will. I'd guess that if Bass guys started complaining, it would get fixed.Quote:
Originally Posted by rnvinc
Thanks for your help and comments thus far. The dreaded DONUT I hear you users talk about is a concern for me. I plan on mounting on transom and using this as a search tool to find bait and cover at speeds between 2 and 5 mph will the donut effect me? Also, I've heard the lowrance has a clearer sharper image especially on the down scan.
Quote:
Originally Posted by slabdaddy
At that speed you are fine with HB. The images are about equal except HDS is more detailed with downscan. Either will work at that speed.
I'm sure that Joby keeps reminding his boss about this.Quote:
Originally Posted by rnvinc
It seems like you guys have been reminding them for a year or more about this. Maybe Doug or Tmike needs to step in and talk to them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Humminbird_Greg
Would be nice if the talk equaled action. Quoted from Doug V. "one of the big things is listening to the users to bring new features and innovation. Many of the free software update ideas are because of the users posting on message boards, talks with customer service and more."
I think everyone with HB's would be happy if this would happen, it's not a new gripe, it's been there for years. Git'R'Dun HB.
I wish some bass guys would step up and start screaming about the "Donut"...Quote:
Originally Posted by mduncan62
Rickie.......You know when you're runnin' and gunnin' you don't see a donut.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by rnvinc