Humminbird or Lowrance???

[Justbass11]

Buying a new boat Ranger RT 178. I’m looking to put a 5 inch or a 7 inch screen on the bow and on the consult.  Just trying to figure out if I want to Humminbird or the Lowrance. Any advice would be appreciated.  It will be a few months before I do this so I’m in no rush. Thanks again

[Jig Man]

I’ve had both.  I think Lowrance has the best 2d but Humminbird has the best down and side.

[12poundbass]

Garmin

 

I am a Garmin guy, but at the end of the day it’s a Ford vs Chevy deal. You really can’t go wrong, each one has their own perk. Educate yourself and research on line that way the decision is all yours and you’ll be better off having made it all on your own. 

[Captain Phil]

I'm old enough to remember fishing with a depth flasher.  Don't laugh, Google it.  Anyway, I have owned more fishing electronics than most.  Lowrance is by far the best.  My experience with Hummingbird has been dismal.  

[GTN-NY]

14 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

I'm old enough to remember fishing with a depth flasher.  Don't laugh, Google it. 

I still have a Lowrance 30/60 flasher. 

[Captain Phil]

I built my first Flasher from a Heath Kit.

[Michigander]

I'll also second Garmin. However, I think my next unit is going to be a Raymarine Element or Axiom.

[Boomstick]

I'm a Garmin guy personally. Lowrance would be similar to Garmin in the sense that they're fairly easy to use and their perk is they offer high resolution screens in the HDS line. Hummingbird on the other hand is the leader of the imaging game with their super clear MEGA imaging.

 

When I was shopping, the Raymarine Axiom was a little bit out of my price range and the HDS used too much battery power so they weren't in the running, really leaving the a 7 or 8 inch Helix and the Garmin EchoMap 9" as my top two choices. I picked the Garmin for ease of use and have been pretty happy with it.

[GaryH]

I've own Lowrance and Humminbird and to me Humminbird is my favorite . There mega down 360 and there SI and DI are great. But it does come down to opinions. 

[J Francho]

I've had Garmin, Lowrance, Humminbird, and Raymarine.  I like all of them.  The menus on the Raymarine and Humminbird made the most sense to me.  I'm currently running two Humminbird units.

[A-Jay]

Before making my choice in units, I needed hands on to get the feel of each.

H-bird seem to speak to me.

So that's where I've been ever since.

A-Jay

[Justbass11]

I have a h-bird now on my Triton. I like it but I was thinking about getting the Lowrance A-jay.  Thinking about putting a 7 inch on the bow and the consult. 

[A-Jay]

5 minutes ago, Justbass11 said:

I have a h-bird now on my Triton. I like it but I was thinking about getting the Lowrance A-jay.  Thinking about putting a 7 inch on the bow and the consult. 

I haven't checked out the newest/latest models of any brands.

Current units on my rig are fine, for now

and I'd like to keep the new Graph Monkey out of my head.

I'd recommend checking them all out in person and see which unit you prefer.

Remember that Demo mode is for reference only.

Sort of like gas mileage, it may vary.

A-Jay

[J Francho]

Demo mode is also fun to turn on for your guest.

[DogBone_384]

22 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

Ford vs Chevy

This... drive them all if you can, and go with your gut.

[WRB]

Both Lowrance and Hummingbird  are no longer run by the original companies, the customer service support is no longer what made the brands popular. 

I started with Carl Lowrance units in 1960 with their portable Red Flasher before the green Lo K Tor unit. Sold this year.

My first paper graph was a 808 prior to the 1510 unit. When Tom Mann came out with his Super 60 flasher that became my bow unit so at one had both Lowrance and Hummingbird units.

Both companies were good but Lowrance owned the color digital GPS sonar units for years and easy to service and update locally.

Today you have several mfr’s to choose from so go with the company who has good reliable products and customer service.

If the majority of your bass fishing is in water less then 20’ with lots of cover you need good color separation to identify fish from cover, DI units are good. Side scanning SI units that have good separation get pricey.

Try to do some hands on demo’s at dealers.

Tom

 

[GaryH]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

 

Today you have several mfr’s to choose from so go with the company who has good reliable products and customer service.

If the majority of your bass fishing is in water less then 20’ with lots of cover you need good color separation to identify fish from cover, DI units are good. Side scanning SI units that have good separation get pricey.

Try to do some hands on demo’s at dealers.

Tom

 

Kinda what I was trying to say. Tom always puts it to words that we can understand. Good job Tom

[Darth-Baiter]

I have a Lowrance on the way. 
 

im probably not done shopping. But I’m on a kayak and swapping units is fairly easy and without drama. My Hobie is set up fir Lowrance which really compelled the choice. 

[BigAngus752]

On 12/4/2020 at 8:01 PM, A-Jay said:

I'd like to keep the new Graph Monkey out of my head.

Amen brother.  

[TigerBassAU]

What features do you want? SI, DI, maps, networking units to share waypoints, etc? 

 

If all things are equal humminbird has the lakemaster maps advantage along with using navionics also. I chose humminbird because most of my lakes were available and in HD.  

 

Just make sure the units you get can do what you need and want! They make various models in 5 and 7 inch and they are not all the same. Then you can apples to apples and make the best choice for you!