In my experience, you get better mapping from Lowrance and better imaging from Humminbird. As for what you want, i agree with going with the HB as the imaging is more important than the mapping i would think. Linking to your TM is the ticket tho. I have my lowrance unit networked with my MG Xi5 on my crappie boat. Even tho i have taken my bass boat out for crappie every trip this year so far.