Garmin or lowrance???

[Foul-mouthedBass]

So I bought a boat and I'm looking to upgrade the fish finder. It has a lowrance basic 2D sonar fish finder on it. I'm looking to spend about 1,500 bucks. I'm not familiar with any of the operating systems. I've only used very basic fish finders as of right now. I have my eye onhttps://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lowrance-hds-pro-9-fish-finder-chartplotter?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=BPS|Shopping|PMax|Boating|General|NAud|NVol|NMT&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3NyxBhBmEiwAyofDYd39q457N-qwBgcQUBiVQeoNXEvVmBDHqXP0J6R1S8WJzyUT0hUSIxoCwwUQAvD_BwE orrrrr

 

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/garmin-echomap-uhd2-93sv-9-fish-finder-chartplotter-with-gt56uhd-tm-transducer-and-garmin-navionics-us-inland-mapping?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=BPS|Shopping|PMax|Boating|General|NAud|NVol|NMT&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3NyxBhBmEiwAyofDYZdsl98SZA0zWlOCdfrKw4-Ebsgk9bgJ5fmdMSHrjbmZlfwNU3uv0RoCfxIQAvD_BwE. 

Or if you guys have something else to recommend for that $1,500 ish price point, I'd appreciate it I just have a basic Minn kota edge on for a trolling motor. Probably will upgrade one day

[MN Fisher]

Go low, my good man

 

Scheels has the previous generation Garmin Echomap UHD 93SV with the GT-54 transducer on sale for $700 - yes, it's compatible with Livescope.

 

https://www.scheels.com/p/garmin-echomap-uhd-93sv-fish-finder/75375928499.html

[MediumMouthBass]

In my experience Garmin and Hummingbird (more Garmin tho) are miles above Lowrance. My experience is with doing tons of research on the ones they have between $120-450. So keep that in mind about what experience i have of them.

For the more expensive ones tho, if i had the money id buy a Garmin, or 2.

 

@MN Fisher made a great suggestion, those Echomaps are great. And theyve been on sale at some really good discounts lately too.

[webertime]

Buy the scheels deal the save the $$ for ffs if you desire it.   The garmin black box and lv32 transducer are 700 used all day.

[gim]

If you are not familiar with any of the three major operating systems, and your bow mount (Edge) isn't compatible with any of them, its not that big of a deal to select a unit.

 

I would just follow the advice above and buy one that has upgrading capabilities in the future.

[BucksBasser]

I just had the same situation and went with the Garmin ECHOmap Ultra 106sv from BP.

So far I like the unit.

 

[Junger]

I like Garmins interface. I moved to HB Helix’s to network everything, but I prefer the Garmin GUI.

[Functional]

when I was looking at units the main reason I went Garmin was for the interface and how easy it was to navigate through the settings/pages. It might be me but I really struggled to undertand the Lowrance. Humminbird was next on my list but I tossed a coin and landed on Garmin. 

[DaubsNU1]

I started with a Garmin Echomap UHD 73SV with GT-54 a few years back for my tin boat build. I really wanted touch-screen and thought the interface would be easier to navigate to make changes, etc.

 

My brother went with Helix 9's in his boat...and I spent a lot of time fishing with him. At first I did not like the Helix interface...but after comparing his down and side imaging to my Garmin...well...I went Helix when setting up my Lund last summer.

 

Reasons:

• Touch screen on the Garmin was neat, but after initial set up, I vary rarely ever got in to menues. Hbird takes little while to get used to, but it's not that bad.
• Side imaging on the Helix was much better than my Garmin. Granted, I was running the 54 transducer...I'm told the 56 is better
• Knew I wanted the Ulterra, so Helix was a no-brainer...they are all networked. I can sit at helm, mark a waypoint on console, drop the trolling motor and say, "navigate to waypoint." The Ulterra turns the boat, takes me there, then spot-locks on the waypoint. Very cool

Good luck with your search!

[casts_by_fly]

I run humminbird (Helix 9 MSI G4N with Mega Live).  My dad has lowrance (Elite Ti2 and an FS I think).  I've played with his a bunch to dial in settings and what not.  I've obviously used mine a ton.  The side and down imaging on a Humminbird can't be beaten.  Even on my Helix 7 with the tiny transducer it was fantastic, but with the 9 and the bigger transducer its just best in class.  His lowrance units don't offer as much adjustment in settings.  That means the straight out of the box 'auto' settings are pretty good and about 90% of as good as it gets for that unit.  He likes 'set it and forget it' so it works for him.  I use my electronics more and I'm constantly adjusting things depending on the lake and even what part of the lake (soft bottom, hard bottom, suspended sediment, etc) so that I have the best possible picture.

 

If you're going to add live imaging, get a garmin.  The LVS34 is better than mega live.  And the side imaging is very good. You can also get a 9" touch screen unit for $800 or so.  The Helix 9 is not touch screen and is $1000 or $1200 with a rebate that I think is still going.  If you're not going to add live imaging and want the best console unit for side imaging then I would get the Helix 9 (or 10 or 12!).

[gim]

I've used Lowrance for 23 years now.  Basically its all I've ever used in terms of modern sonar and GPS.  I've upgraded 4 times in that span and transferred waypoints each time to the new unit.  I've got over 20 years of data in my current units.  Even though I'm fairly technology savvy, it would be a difficult, time-consuming process for me to switch to anything else at this point.  I've also got a hand held H20C that I also still use.

 

My bow mount is not integrated with my graphs.  At some point I'll be upgrading to the Lowrance Ghost bow mount and then I'll work that networking in, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with my Minnkota Maxxum that I bought brand new with my boat in 2016.

[Foul-mouthedBass]

20 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Go low, my good man

 

Scheels has the previous generation Garmin Echomap UHD 93SV with the GT-54 transducer on sale for $700 - yes, it's compatible with Livescope.

 

https://www.scheels.com/p/garmin-echomap-uhd-93sv-fish-finder/75375928499.html

When you said go low I thought you mentioned go lowrance. I was so confused 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Foul-mouthedBass said:

When you said go low I thought you mentioned go lowrance. I was so confused 

Ooops - I had a Lowrance before my Garmins....I prefer the Garmins. Right now I have two on Bass Trek - a Striker 7cv that I 'ported' over from my old canoe, and a 93sv that (wait for it)....I purchased during this very sale.

[Foul-mouthedBass]

It seems I need to consider hummingbird in this situation. I kind of counted them out but from what you guys are telling me it seems I should count lowrance out

[WRB]

You are a Lowrance user why change?

Tom

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

You are a Lowrance user why change?

Tom

because in this case there is going to be a big learning curve going from a basic 2d unit to any of these higher end units whether he stays with lowrance or changes brands. In that case you might as well consider all options and pick the best fit. 

 

2 hours ago, Foul-mouthedBass said:

It seems I need to consider hummingbird in this situation. I kind of counted them out but from what you guys are telling me it seems I should count lowrance out

it’s worth considering. Below are a couple shots showing the detail you can get from one. 
 

[Functional]

Definitely consider Humminbird as an option especially since your TM is already that brand.

 

I said I went Garmin above, however if I was to do it again all over right now I'd go Humminbird. I dont feel the Humminbird puts out a much better image (it is a bit crisper due to screen resolution) but some of the settings and color choices it has I feel allows ME to make out the image better. 

 

I dont regret my choice and I dont think you would regret either but I'd really spend some time in basspro or academy and play with both units for quite a while. Watch as many videos as you can and if you know people go spend some time on their units if they let you. Also consider the future and if you want Mega360 or Livescope. 

[Tennessee Boy]

Everyone has an opinion.  Here’s mine.

 

Humminbird

I’ve been running Solix for 6 years.  I have MEGA Live with target lock,  360 and everything is network including the Ultrex TM.  I love 360 so Humminbird is the only way to get it.   LakeMaster maps are clearly the best for the lakes I fish.   Live imaging is inferior to Lowrance and Garmin.  My biggest complaint with Humminbird has always been that they will release a product before it’s ready.   When I first got the Solix units they were very buggy.   They’ve improved a lot with software updates.  MEGA Live is another product that was terrible when it was released but they fixed it later.  
 

Lowrance

I used to be a loyal Lowrance user.  That was before marine electronics were as complicated as they are today.   I had several Lowrance products over the years and they were always rock solid.  
 

Garmin

Never owned one.  I have seen a few.  I’ve never heard any serious complaints from Garmin owners.  Garmin is by far the biggest of the three companies so they have that advantage going forward.   If I was starting over I would strongly consider Garmin.

 

 

 

[gim]

All three major brands of electronics make their own electric motors now that sync up and network together.  If I was going to make a major upgrade, I'd look into this capability.

 

The OP indicated that he has a Minnkota Edge which is not able to link with any graphs at this point, so whatever brand or model of electronics he selects its kind of a moot point.  The bigger decision will be down the road when he upgrades to a new bow mount.  He will want to select the one that goes with the graphs.  For now, just select one and try to learn it as best you can.  And just make sure it has upgradeable technology.  Won't be long until your equipment is outdated.

 

Lowrance - Ghost

Garmin - Force

Humminbird - Ultrex

[Smokinal]

Garmin and Bird are the Ford and Chevy. And Lowrance....well they're the Dodge

 

Jk, jk...really just depends on what platform you like and prefer to use. I would highly recommend going to a Cab/BPS and play with the displays to see what you like

[Koz]

I had a Lowrance 5 with DI and SI, a Humminbird Helix 7 with DI and SI, and now a Garmin 93 with DI, SI, and FFS for my kayak.

 

For ease of use I prefer the Garmin. But I think the side imaging is a little better on my Humminbird. Garmin FFS is excellent.

 

I run my Helix 7 and my Garmin on my kayak but only use the Helix for mapping now.

[Malek]

Personally I find lowrance simple and ready to go out the box. I had a GARMIN uhd2 but it was the 5 inch screen came with the gt20 which was not what I had hoped for. As I get more familiar with the technologies I’ve come to realize that every letter and number in the garmin models means something. That said, I found selecting a garmin system and getting what I thought I bought compared to what I actually got are never the same. I have and hds pro and the new eagle eye 9 for a starter live view. Love both of them and just ordered an active target 2 for my hds pro. Easy to setup, install and very intuitive to use.