Lowrance DI 480X480 PIX or HB-DI 640X640 PIX

I'm looking to buy a Lowrance DI or a Hummingbird DI .....

I have a HDS-10 w/SS-1 for the Console & a HDS-7 for the Bow. Due to not being able to fit a SS-1 Transducer (6") & HDS Transducer (3") on Trolling Motor, I am looking for a DI Unit to go on the bow along with the HDS Transducer.

What I have notice about the Unit from each company is that Hummingbird has 640X640 PIX and Lowrance has 480X480 PIX. Now I have owned the HB-1198 SI & HB-898 SI, but wasn't happy with the SI images I was getting compared to the HDS-5 on my brothers boat. So, I SOLD both of the HB's and bought Lowrance HDS. Much better images now. I plan on adding a DI Unit to my HDS-7 on the bow. This will give me the HDS unit Spit Screen giving me a GPS/Sonar, & the New unit with DI running all the time. No Switching from screen to screen.

(1) But was wondering if in the DI Units the HB 640X640 PIX VS Lowrance has 480X480 PIX make a difference ? ? ?

(2) Is there a difference in the images you see ? ? ?




keith

I have not seen the Lowrance unit in action and so will not comment on it. Generally though: the more pixels you have the sharper the image will be. Add to that the act that the Humminbird unit will have both DI and 2D (conventional) sonar.

Which Humminbird DI unit were you looking at?

I would say bird as the more pix the sharper the image. The bird has 2d also but that could conflict with the 2d on the low. Have you looked at an offset bracket to mount the ss and 2d for the low? Something else to consider. If you were unhappy with you SI bird images you may not like the images on the DI bird unit. I woukd say go to a store and demo both if you can.

I really don't want a SS-1 on the bow. Mainly I am not wanting to haft to bend over and change the screen everytime I need a diffeent screen. By putting a DI Unit up there (Same $ as SS-1) I can put a DI Unit, and have Sonar/GPS (HDS-7) & 5" worth of DI all running at the same time, ever needing to bend over to change anything. I don't need the DI Unit to link up to anything. It will JUST be showing DI all the time.

Really not big on the DEMO's seen at the store. I bought my Bird SI that way, and it never got close to the images on the DEMO's. Mainly I run them in 20' or less, which may have a lot to do with it, but the HDS Unit is great. I'm not married to either BRAND for this purchase, but just wanting the best DI images I can get. Not a bunch of GOOD things out there about the Lowrance DI.

I would be interested in a Side by Side Trolling Motor Mount if they make such a thing, if not, I am looking at making something. Anybody know of a web site that has them ? ? ? ?


keith

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Creamlevel Kennels

I really don't want a SS-1 on the bow. Mainly I am not wanting to haft to bend over and change the screen everytime I need a diffeent screen. By putting a DI Unit up there (Same $ as SS-1) I can put a DI Unit, and have Sonar/GPS (HDS-7) & 5" worth of DI all running at the same time, ever needing to bend over to change anything. I don't need the DI Unit to link up to anything. It will JUST be showing DI all the time.

Really not big on the DEMO's seen at the store. I bought my Bird SI that way, and it never got close to the images on the DEMO's. Mainly I run them in 20' or less, which may have a lot to do with it, but the HDS Unit is great. I'm not married to either BRAND for this purchase, but just wanting the best DI images I can get. Not a bunch of GOOD things out there about the Lowrance DI.

I would be interested in a Side by Side Trolling Motor Mount if they make such a thing, if not, I am looking at making something. Anybody know of a web site that has them ? ? ? ?


keith

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Keith, these folks might be able to help you out. Talk with Scap or Shirley.


Transducer Shield and Saver - See More Fish, Catch More Fish! - TM-HDsi

Cause of the di transudcer would the 2d have a wide beam or judt the narrow

I haven't bought a DI Unit. Wanting to make sure I buy the best fit. I have a HDS-7 Transducer. Everything else is still a work in progress.


keith

Johnnyray Transducer Bracket F/Trolling Motor

These bracket are offset. I rigged my own mount out of things I had at home already.

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Pixel density is only one factor in producing an image on a TFT screen. And at
480 versus 640 it is way down the list. You said it yourself. You saw better
images on your brother's HDS 5 than you did on your 1198SI. Was it due to
a better install ? Was your 1198 not adjusted properly for best results ? (and
the HDS5 was).

Finally, I do not think you need more than 480x480 pixel density on the HDS5.
On a total pixel count in each square inch basis, the HDS5 is very bit as pixel
dense as the HDS10.

All other things being of equal quality, increasing pixel
density will increase image quality only so much. Then
it becomes just a "gotcha" number on a spec sheet for
companies to point to. In other words, when you have
enough, increasing it is pointless.

I think your idea of a dedicated DI unit is spot on. Splitting
screens can only go so far. I wish my HDS10 was an HDS15
sometimes. :)

.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by doctorxring

.

You said it yourself. You saw better
images on your brother's HDS 5 than you did on your 1198SI. Was it due to
a better install ? Was your 1198 not adjusted properly for best results ? (and
the HDS5 was).
Finally, I do not think you need more than 480x480 pixel density on the HDS5.
On a total pixel count in each square inch basis, the HDS5 is very bit as pixel
dense as the HDS10.

All other things being of equal quality, increasing pixel
density will increase image quality only so much. Then
it becomes just a "gotcha" number on a spec sheet for
companies to point to. In other words, when you have
enough, increasing it is pointless.

I think your idea of a dedicated DI unit is spot on. Splitting
screens can only go so far. I wish my HDS10 was an HDS15
sometimes. :)

.

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when I owned the HB's I had HB come out and test drive my boat and make adjustments to the unit. Said it was ALL it could do. My HDS-10 shows MUCH better images than my bird. So I sold them. Much happier now. So is it your thoughts, that stay with Lowrance is the ticket ? ? ?



keith

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Ten4 on that. You and your brother are on the right track !

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