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Hey guys, I'm wanting to upgrade my units. I currently have lowrance elite 7 on front and elite 5 on console. I'm looking at helix 10 mega chirp or hds 10.. I only fish ky and Barkley lakes, and want the best mapping for those two lakes. And the most user friendly.. also eventually I want to get a trolling motor that I can link up to the GPS on the units. So what do all of y'all have on your boats?
Humminbird Helix 10 DI and 1199HD. I would buy Humminbird 10X over if for no other reason, being able to run LakeMaster cards. Their features on KY/Barkley are 2nd to nobody.
I can't help you on map coverage, however HB has the best customer service out there!!
The "Bird" is the word.
actually, lowrance products are just as good and so is the service.
Are humminbirds fairly easy to learn and I want to be able to link together?
Most are able to link, what models are you considering? Lakemaster is awesome on Ky and Barkley. I recently purchased a Helix 10 Mega so far really impressed with the images.Quote:
Originally Posted by Troy75
Helix 10 mega is what I'm leaning towards.. another thing Is I like minn Kota trolling motors, and someone told me I can't use lowrance and minn Kota together.. but I don't know if that's true..
HB units work with Minn Kota ... Lowrance units work with the Motor Guide xi5 ... (This is meaning the TM functions can be controlled from the brand specific head units) ...
Each brand has their own layout of the Menu System but neither is difficult - just different ...
As Doug mentions, the LakeMaster mapping has mapping customization features no other map card has ...
HB MEGA Imaging adds a 1200kHz Imaging frequency choice no other brand offers at this time ...
Both brands offer networking in their mid to upper end units ...
HB can be expanded to use 360 technology - Lowrance is giving away SpotlightScan technology with some bundled package units...
Lowrance has Touch units in their mid-priced Elite ti series (with limited networking capabilities) and most of their current HDS Series (7, 9, 12) and Carbon series - HB has Touch in their top tier ONIX and SOLIX units ...
Rickie
Once you go Touch you will never go back! I love my Lowrance Touch units!
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I hated my Lowrance touch unit! I sold it and installed my Helix 9DI today! It's DI looks great tho I just hate touching a screen I wanna keep clean kinda my OCD I guess! but each to their own its a Ford vs Chevy debate!
Quote:
Originally Posted by bandchaser
Iv'e had both and liked both. The only thing I would say with either one is to get something that will be repairable unless you plan to just throw it away after a few years. Especially with Lowrance. Many of their units are not repairable. First time you have a problem they want to sell you a new one. Tough decision. Good luck.
My buddy is the same way with his Onix and Solix he can't stand the fingerprints so he avoids touching the screen.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grizzly2k1
If you come over to the Eddy Creek area I would take you out to see the Helix 10 Mega on the water.Quote:
Originally Posted by Troy75
I'll take you up on that offer!! I'm just few miles away, I live in grand rivers, just name a day and time, I'd love to see it in action..
Ok I'm out of town until Friday. I'll PM about it next week.Quote:
Originally Posted by Troy75
Love my touch units,hate fishing with a buddy of mine with humminbirds and I'm pushing buttons constantly.Quote:
Originally Posted by bandchaser
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I would rather pay the upgrade fee for a new unit than the humminbird repair fee and have an out of date unit makes.Quote:
Originally Posted by JD1
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I like both,but prefer the touch units.Their both good units ,just do you research and don't let someone just push you to buy what they have because it's the best,been there done that.Im fixing to be running both brands on my boat,I have a touch 9 at the bow and hds 10 at the console.Fixing to add a helix 10 and 360 to my bow setup with a lakemaster lake card.Another thing,if your not gonna use your unit you may as well buy a basic finder and save your money.Just about everyone I talk to locally don't have a clue,I have probally scanned 60 hours this year and it will make a difference in your catch ratio[emoji3]
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I owned a HB with 36 hours on the unit and it failed, I see post all the time about how great their customer service is, however this was not the case for me. I called their customer service and the person on line was useless, again this is just my experience. Different strokes for different folks, but I personally would not ever by an HB Product again.
I realize Garmin was not on your list but just wanted to throw in.....
I have converted both ends of my boat to Garmin and very happy with the choice
Actually, it is a word processor vs typewriter debate, hahahaQuote:
Originally Posted by Grizzly2k1
I have a 1199 on the bow for my 360 and a touch 12 lowrance for everything else. I have both maps for the units and I prefer Lakemaster to the Platinum map in the Lowrance. I will be upgrading to the Solix after the 15's have been out for a couple of months. It will replace the 1199 on the bow so I can run the map, 360, si, and 2d. Needless to say I like both of them and both do a good job.
Don
lowrance hds touch all theway for me,best i have used.and humminbird customer service was absoulty NO help at all when i had a problem.clueless
LMAO, You must have talked to the same girl I did!!! Worthless
Quote:
Originally Posted by bkgooch
Another, very much viable option out there right now is Garmin. If I was making a complete change, I would add them to the short list of options.
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I have been running two Garmin units since around November of last year. The sonar and imaging is solid, I am happy with my units. If I mark fish I tend to catch fish, that hasn't always been my experience with the other two brands. Maybe they don't take pictures of same quality as Mega or Hds but not a handicap to me finding structure or fish.
All that said though the original poster said he wanted the best mapping for Kentucky/Barkley. With Garmin at present time you are stuck with Garmin only for mapping. That is fine for Kentucky Lake but one step above hot garbage for Barkley at present time. I get by with the Fishsmart app/Lakemaster map for Barkley. Maybe Garmin will scan Barkley some day or atleast source decent data.
If mapping is important and it should be, hard not go with Humminbird for the Lakemaster if you like the imaging.
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I've seen the down imaging on both, and the birds look the best to me. the DI on the Helix units look awesome!!
Like my HDS7 but only had for a few months. At first wasn't set up good but met Lowrance rep at Cabelas and talked to me about it. He commented to me he wished I had the boat with me. My lucky day I did. In the pouring down rain he set up both units properly and upgraded both units software. I fish Taylorsville and guess where he conducts classes to teach you how to properly use all those fancy things most of us never do... Taylorsville. Now that's customer service even though I lucked into running into the guy.
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PM sentQuote:
Originally Posted by Troy75
I think it's a Ford vs Chevy argument.
I'm in the process of changing from a Lowrance to a Helix Mega 10. The lakemaster mapping and the quality of the Mega images were the deciding factors for me.
When you get this sorted out, if you want to sell the Elite 7 shoot me a PM. I have Helix 5 running on my I-Pilot transducer and I would like a larger screen. I have an HDS 7 touchscreen on the transom. Love how easy the touchscreen is to use. I had always been a HB fan until I got the HDS touchscreen. Both are good units.
Do you have this fellas contact info?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jigboy
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Greg Thoman: 502-608-3701
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Thanks brother. [emoji106] [emoji106]Quote:
Originally Posted by Jigboy
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