Garmin vs Lowrance

[SC53]

Ok, not a bash thread, just a quick comparison of what I’ve observed.

 

Always been a Lowrance guy but after reading the reviews on the Garmin units, I decided to upgrade an old Lowrance I had on the bow to a Garmin.

Ended up going with the Garmin Echomap 93 SV upfront on the trolling motor (Cabela’s sale of $599)

I still have a Lowrance Elite 12Ti (gen 1) on the console so I can do somewhat of a side by side comparison. This unit has their skimmer and structure scan transducers connected via a Y cable.

 

Only been out a couple times since installing the Garmin but here’s my initial assessment.

 

The Garmin’s side and bottom views are superior to the Lowrance. Much more detail seen, especially in shallow water where I mostly fish. 

 

Lowrance sonar is better than the Garmin's but I haven’t had time to mess with any adjustments on the Garmin yet. The larger screen on the Lowrance probably helps with this but the images just look cleaner.

 

I really like the fact the Garmin came with a trolling motor mount too.

[12poundbass]

I love my Garmins! 

[Tennessee Boy]

The day is coming when you will have to choose a company based on their electronics, networking, and trolling motor.  It’s already true at the high end and I expect over time the integration of the electronics and trolling motor will be included in lower cost systems.  In that world I wonder if Lowrance can compete with Garmin and Johnson Outdoors.

[Scott F]

The units and the technology are changing so fast, it’s hard to keep up. I chose Garmin a few years ago when they were including high def maps built in, while Humminbird and Lowrance were charging hundreds of dollars extra for map chips. 

[LonnieP]

I sold my Garmin and bought a Lowrance Elite TI 7 last year. I regret it and wish I would have stuck with Garmin. 

[moguy1973]

Love my Garmins when I get a chance to use them.  73sv at the console and 53dv at the bow.

[SC53]

Scott, I haven’t even looked the maps yet? been too busy enjoying the side and bottom scans.  And yes, the built in maps are a bonus that you don’t have to pay extra for.

[Dens228]

I'm currently thinking hard about upgrading from a Hook2 Splitshot to add side imaging to my kayak.  

I'd also like to have a touch screen.  I've only been looking at Lowrance but now will have to look at Garmin.

 

[jaimeastin]

6 hours ago, Dens228 said:

I'm currently thinking hard about upgrading from a Hook2 Splitshot to add side imaging to my kayak.  

I'd also like to have a touch screen.  I've only been looking at Lowrance but now will have to look at Garmin.

 

pound for pound, you get more with Garmin.  

[Fishing_FF]

7 hours ago, Dens228 said:

I'm currently thinking hard about upgrading from a Hook2 Splitshot to add side imaging to my kayak.  

I'd also like to have a touch screen.  I've only been looking at Lowrance but now will have to look at Garmin.

 

 

I was on the fence between Lowrance and Garmin for my kayak, too. I was leaning towards the Lowrance because it was a little cheaper and a bunch of guys I know have them on their boats. A friend hooked me up with a local shop that sold both Lowrance and Garmin. The shop owner spoke highly of the Garmin. I've been super impressed with the Garmin Echomap Plus 73SV I've got. Funny thing is, a bunch of the guys who had Lowrance now have Garmins.

[DogBone_384]

sounds like the Ford vs. Chevy thing starting up...

[MN Fisher]

14 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

sounds like the Ford vs. Chevy thing starting up...

"I'll take 'Reasons Chevy is Best' for $250, Alex"

[SC53]

4 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

sounds like the Ford vs. Chevy thing starting up...

Not really DB, just posting my observations.

Like I stated Lowrance had a better sonar, Garmin a better down and side based on my fishing style(shallow).  I like lowrance’s mapping but I have a specific chip in it. Plus Lowrance’s downscan with Fish Reveal is a nice feature.  For upfront where I have the Garmin it works better for me.  Everyone has their preferences.

[12poundbass]

23 minutes ago, SC53 said:

Plus Lowrance’s downscan with Fish Reveal is a nic3 feature

Fish reveal does look like a really nice feature. 

[LegendaryBassin]

On 12/13/2019 at 9:16 AM, Tennessee Boy said:

The day is coming when you will have to choose a company based on their electronics, networking, and trolling motor.  It’s already true at the high end and I expect over time the integration of the electronics and trolling motor will be included in lower cost systems.  In that world I wonder if Lowrance can compete with Garmin and Johnson Outdoors.

Johnson Outdoors is inferior IMO to Lowrance and Garmin. I live 20-30 miles away and they have nothing but problems. Went Garmin and much happier. Lowrance is great too. I had Hummingbird Helix and Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor for 2 weeks and think my Garmin 126 Ultra and Force is WAY superior

[CountryboyinDC]

On 12/16/2019 at 4:27 PM, DogBone_384 said:

sounds like the Ford vs. Chevy thing starting up...

I'd rather stare at a Lowrance with no power source than graph fish with a Garmin.

[WRB]

I am a Chevy guy don't like Fords. Why? No particular reason for not liking Fords, My first car was a '49 Chevy that I rebuilt using a junk yard '51 Caddy V8, '39 La Salle transmission and '56 Pontiac 4:11 rear rearend parts. No Fords parts for me, they were the competition.

Carl Lowrance started the bass fishing sonar for recreational fresh water anglers. Before allowance the only units available were Heath kits for electronic nerds. Tom Mann came along in the early 70's with his Hummingbird Super 60 followed by Super 30, brighter flasher returns with better target separation. I put away my Green box Fish Lo Kator flasher and bought Hummingbirds. This was like changing over to the Ford camp.

Lowrance comes out with the paper 1510 graph, I had to have it. Now I have Hummmingbird flashers and Lowrance graph, Ford with a Chevy engine.

Carl passed away and the company was sold. Tom Mann needed money and sold the Hummingbird, so I don't have any real loyalty to either company. 

Too old to change now so Lowrance is my go to sonar units, Garmin belongs on car dashboards.

Tom

[jaimeastin]

Garmin is just more modern.  Been using garmins for about 8 years.  Never had an issue... When I needed to call them, they helped and replaced.  

 

My experience with Lowrance is not good...  I would love fish reveal.  I wanted that to be a feature for so long as it made sense.  Hummingbird, good... but expensive and just not user friendly.  Lowrance has a lot of units, but really, you beeter start with the TI as anything below is garbage.  Gamin has the best packages for features and value.  Those two companies let garmin come in and take the market.  They just sat there and gamin came in with a hungry stomach.  

 

I am not loyal to any brand, but in my experience, Gamin keeps me very happy.  

[Dens228]

Which Garmin is comparable to the Elite TI2?  

[12poundbass]

9 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

Which Garmin is comparable to the Elite TI2?  

Echomap Plus

[Dens228]

51 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Echomap Plus

Thanks.  I looked at some Garmins sold near me at BP and Cabela's and they only seem to come with coastal or Canadian maps.  Maybe it's a clearance thing but kind of strange considering I live in the midwest!

[12poundbass]

13 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

Thanks.  I looked at some Garmins sold near me at BP and Cabela's and they only seem to come with coastal or Canadian maps.  Maybe it's a clearance thing but kind of strange considering I live in the midwest!

The 73 and 93 are the inland waterways. Sending you a PM. 

[Dens228]

Just now, 12poundbass said:

The 73 and 93 are the inland waterways. Sending you a PM. 

Thanks.

[jaimeastin]

17 hours ago, Dens228 said:

Thanks.  I looked at some Garmins sold near me at BP and Cabela's and they only seem to come with coastal or Canadian maps.  Maybe it's a clearance thing but kind of strange considering I live in the midwest!

Yeah, you want a model with the 3 in the model name.  4 is coastal.  3 is lakes.  0 I believe is no mapping at all.  maybe 2 is Canada... I don't remember off the top of my head. I purchased a 74 model from BPS and they also gave me a lake card, so I had both.  Maybe they are doing the same in your market, no matter how crazy it seems, lol.  I live on the west coast, so I can see that being a little logical in my case. 

 

Only other thing is make sure it comes with the transducer that works for you.  The coastal transducer will work for deeper water.  I had no issues with mine in lakes, other than it being long, lol.  

[WPCfishing]

Is the UHD worth the extra money?

I’m looking at buying the 7” or 9” Garmin with Maps, Down Scan and Sonar. 
Quite higher for the UHD. 
Is there a recommendation for the transducer for each series?

 

Thanks