I am ready to move up in the world. Looking at new fish finders. For the novice to learn witch is easier, Lowrance or Humminbird in the $600 to $800 range.
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I am ready to move up in the world. Looking at new fish finders. For the novice to learn witch is easier, Lowrance or Humminbird in the $600 to $800 range.
I like my hb 597 it's been solid.. but I cld have got by with out the d.i. at a slow troll it's worthless but sonar is good
When we out DI the guy at Cabela's said hummingbird was easier to use. But that may depend on the model too. Some have way more buttons.
Go to store and play with them all on display, then you'll know!
I'd vote bird. they are about 90% ready to go out of the box with very few settings to tweak for optimal performance.
I've got two 597's. One with DI one without. I like them. They were pretty easy for me to learn when I got my boat having never even messed with a fish finder prior to owning my boat. If you are looking to get TWO units in that range id look at the Helix 5's. If you are looking for one in that range, or two units each in that range, I'd check out 859 and a 899. These are based off new prices also, can probably find some good used units around also. Good luck let us know what you get.
Also, if you get one with side imaging I would get on YouTube and watch the humminbird side imaging video they have. They explain in detail how to read the image you are seeing. A good friend of mine got this for his boat and it took me a time or two to understand how to read it, but this video really helped in the explanation.
Side imaging - Side Imaging® Tutorial Video - YouTube
Down imaging - Down Imaging® Tutorial Video - YouTube
Lots of votes for Humminbird. I've always used Lowrance. Last unit I bought was plug-and-play I didn't have to do anything it would automatically adjust to conditions and show what was underwater. I was very impressed with this as my previous Lowrance required more manual adjusting so it showed how much progress had been made with these fish finders. I just upgraded to a newer Lowrance model (color, gps, down-imaging, the works!), not installed yet, hopefully will be just as good.
If you have a store at Rolla that has them on display and working go play. That is the best way to find out what you want to know. If not maybe take a drive down to Springfield and Bass Pro.
Everything else is someone's opinion and you know what they say about opinions.
Lowrance, just do it.
What model do you have and what model did you buy to replace it?Quote:
Originally Posted by ppowell
I have been looking at Hummingbird 859ci HD DI or 899ci HD SI
Lowrance Elite-7 or HDS-7. What I like about Lowrance they have training DVD's on about every model they make. The manager at Bass Pro Electric Dept said Lowrance is easier to learn and operate.
I have been kind of looking myself at something with DI and maybe the side imaging too. I spent some time talking with the guys at Marine Repair Center in Springfield yesterday about them. They were pushing the Hummingbird Helix 5's. I have a couple of Lowrance Eagle units now. I would like to stay with Lowrance myself. But this is what I got from talking with the guys from Marine Repair Center.
1. The Hummingbird Helix 5's are at a great price point. Lowrance doesn't have anything currently in the same price point. But they wouldn't be surprised if Lowrance wasn't working on something at the same price point right now.
2. I was told that its better if your getting DI and side imaging to mount that unit in the back of the boat. Something about folks having a easier time running straight with the big motor than the trolling motor. I was told that it was important to run straight for a better view of side imaging.
3. DI is not really needed in the front of the boat but it would be nice to have.
4. I asked about having to buy a map disk for the Hummingbird Helix 5's. I was told that the Lowrance units already had a more detailed map on the unit than what the Hummingbirds have on the base units. He said that if I got back up into the creeks with a Hummingbird I would need to purchase a additional map disk for as much detail as I am used too with my current units.
5. But this info was from Marine Repair Center and they sell both kinds, Lowrance and Hummingbirds.
6. So I have also called Lowrance and they were very nice to talk with. They recommended a unit that would go up against the Helix 5's. But it was like really hard to do any research on it. I did some internet searches on it and some of them came up that the unit had been discontinued by the factory.
So CrappieHead thanks for starting the thread. I am still on the fence myself. I want a Lowrance unit but I would like to get 2 units when I pull the trigger. I know some of what folks will say is just like the difference between Ford and Chevy guys. Or Lowe boat owners against Tracker owners.
Do you have a local friend who can mentor you in learning? If so, maybe you could stick with the brand that person uses. Don't forget to look into some of the newer players, like Garmin as well. If you can go to camp, you may be able to find guys who will take you for a quick ride to demo the units in their boats. good luck.
I have recently made the upgrade. I looked at the helix5 and really like the unit. The only downside is that I had to use Ethernet connections from front to back and that is not available on the helix series. I went with the 899si on the console and found a used 998 on here for the bow. I stayed with HB for ease of use. Price also was a consideration as the lowrance unit was quite a bit more at the time I got the 899. The little exposure I have had with lowrance had me going thru me yes quite a bit and I like the scroll thru feature of HB once you turn off the functions you don't use. If you come to camp this weekend I would be glad to give you a test drive.
Typo me yes = menu
That's what I plan on doing is starting to pay closer attention to what other folks have in their boats and get some ideas. Several of the guys have offered to show me how their units work and I am going to take them up on it. I wont be a camp again this year due to fireworks. But I will catch some of them up around Bucksaw this summer and take a look.
I would get one with so
Side imaging
I think I have it down to a hummingbird 859, 899 or 999. Wait till after Crappie Camp so I can see them in action and talk pro's and con's.
My plans are to buy one unit this year and one next year.
See my new post on software. What is better LakeMaster� and Navionics� Platinum?
What is special about the platinum?
Crappiehead I will have my boat down there Saturday and maybe Friday evening also. I have a 1159 amd a 1199 on it. Would be same features as a 899 or 999. Just a different size screen. Be glad to show you it.
I will also show you the advantages of the LakeMaster chip.
I didn't get to camp until early Sunday morning and I didn't take the time to ask anyone! But I went back to the camp ground late Sunday evening and I got to see Hookin'&Cookin' , JR's setup! Heck I have had TV screens smaller than his unit! Wow so cool, I had no idea how much info you could see! Thanks JR for showing me your unit.
Your on the right track with the "Birds" not my pic but this is what Down Imaging and Side Imaging can do.
Attachment 201769
Here is a car I found with mine on the second trip out with them.
Attachment 201770
Couple pics of my set up.
Attachment 201771
Attachment 201772
I'll say the guys at Marine Repair Center are as straight shooters as you will find. They tell it like it is and don't try to push any brand.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMW1960
I recently went through a ton of research in buying a new FF in $300 price range. I'll summarize my conclusions:
Common to both units:
o Gps
o Sonar
o Down Imaging
Lowrance Elite 4 Chirp Versus Humminbird Helix
Lowrance Elite 4 with Navionics ($330)
Pluses
+ Chirp sonar
+ Navionics+ Chip for only $30
+ Create your own maps (Insight Gensis)
+ Familiarity (I've always used Lowrance)
+ Transducer installation (Holes already drilled for Lowrance)
Minuses
- Screen Size
- Insight Genesis $99 subscription fee to download maps to unit (viewing online is free)
Humminbird Helix (~$300)
Pluses
+ Screen is awesome (big, nice resolution)
Minuses
- No map chip ($200 additional purchase)
- No chirp
- Can't create your own maps
So it comes down to what features you like. I am really excited about Insight Genesis that is pretty much what sold me. To generate your own maps with Humminbird you have to get a much more expensive unit (which was much more that $99 subscription fee).