Lowrance Elite Vs Hummingbird Helix

[AndrewJ]

So im not really looking to buy one yet, just starting some research.  I was wondering what everyone thought about these two units.  I will be buying the 5 inch version, but I wanted to know what the difference between the two units (Lowrance Elite and Hummingbird helix) are and which is more user friendly?

[WRB]

Why are you set on a 5" unit? 7" units are nearly the same weight and price points and give you the option of split screen viewing easier.

Tom

[AndrewJ]

this is true, but my dash will only accommodate a 5 inch and im not interested in a RAM mount.  

[WRB]

You may want to rethink a built in dash mounted unit if you trailer your boat. Built ins may look good but are not practical in use. You can't adjust the screen position to reduce sun glare or to improve viewing and obvious you can't remove the unit to store it.

Functionally very little advantage between mfr's, personal choice.

[AndrewJ]

Fair enough, I already have a unit mounted just looking to upgrade

[12poundbass]

Have you seen the 5" units in person? It's basically the same size as a pop can turned sideways, not very big. Just something to think about.

[Logan S]

You get touch screen (but not multi-touch, IE no pinch-zoom) and backtrack with the Elite, but no ethernet capability.  You get ethernet, but no backtrack or touchscreen on the Helix.  Other than those features, they are pretty similar...Retail price wise, the HB is cheaper.  

 

Biggest deciding factor would be ethernet, if you want to connect to another unit via ethernet.  If that is something you want, only the Helix has that option.  

 

User friendly is a little subjective, I've never used a graph that was 'hard' to use or navigate.  I will say as a recent convert from HB to HDS...The touch screen is nice and makes things a little easier.  

[WRB]

On January 3, 2018 at 9:03 PM, AndrewJ said:

Fair enough, I already have a unit mounted just looking to upgrade

You should stay with the brand you have, Lawrance and Humming Bird mounts are different.

Tom

[Troy85]

I have 2 Lowrance Elites now, 1 trolling motor and one stern.  I don't have any complaints.  I've never used Humminbird but the salesmen at Basspro told me that Lowrance has better GPS(more accurate) than Humminbird.  Like I said, I have never used Humminbird so I can't verify, this is only what I was told.  

[Russ E]

i have owned both. Currently I have 2 helix 7s.

To me it is like comparing ford to chevy.

The GPS on my helix 7s are dead accurate.

I have both Navionics and Lakemaster. On the lakes I fish, Lakemaster has a lot more detail. Navionics misses a lot of structure.

If you are going to use side imaging, a 7 inch screen will give a lot more detail than a 5.

I swapped a 5 inch side imaging helix for a 7 inch, because in my opinion the side imaging was useless on the 5 inch.

 

[Troy85]

Speaking of side imaging,do you think one brand is superior to the other?

[Russ E]

I have only used the side imaging on hummingbirds. they work well if you get it setup correctly. my next fishfinder will have the hummingbird mega imaging. you have to move up to a 9 inch or larger for that.

[Troy85]

Just wondering. Like the OP I'm looking into a new finder with side imaginging.