Garmin or Humminbird/Minn Kota?

[The Baron]

I’m really struggling to decide between Garmin or Humminbird for our brand new 19ft. Lowe boat setup.  I want to start with a 9” flush mount in the dash (Echomap UHD2 or an Xplore 9) then will get the compatible trolling motor (Force or probably an Ultrex).  No screen at the front for now but saving for a 10-12” there next year, possibly with FFS.

 

I’m really torn which fork in the road to take.  We have a local Minn Kota sales/service shop that’s great to deal with, but I’ve got a Garmin UHD on our current boat now and really like it so hesitant to switch to Humminbird.  That said, the Humminbird side imaging looks nicer than my Garmin.  GPS lock, waypoints and auto pilot routes are big features for me and both seem to have their own very functional versions.

 

Any suggestions one way or the other?

[Reel]

You can't go wrong with either.  I have a Hummingbird/Minnkota set-up that I really like.  I have a boat similar to yours and I use a Solix 12 in front for the FFS and the 2D,.  I have a Helix 12 G4 that near the console that I use for GPS, DI and SI  and a Helix 7 in dash for hight speed reading.  I have 2 transducers at the back, one small one for high speed and a large one for DI and SI. This works very well for me along with a Minnkota 36 V Ultrex Quest.  All of these products have been flawless.

[casts_by_fly]

I also prefer humminbird side imaging to the point that I deal with ml1 and keep the better side imaging and familiarity. Mega live 2 looks like it closes most of the gap to garmin so if the explore units are as good as they look that’s a no brainer for me. 

[gim]

If you already have a Garmin graph that you are familiar with I’d stick with that and go with a Force bow mount.

[12poundbass]

Like previously stated above, you really can’t go wrong with either. I’ve used both and for me personally, Garmin is more user friendly.

[Junk Fisherman]

Garmin for me.  I've had issues with 2 of my last 3 Humminbirds.  We pay too much and use our electronics very little in comparison to other electronics for them to have issues.  My 859 Hbird was completely fried when I tried to update it.  I went step-by-step by the procedure and I had a frozen, distorted screen.  Hbird wouldn't even look at it without a minimum charge of $100+ or so.  My current Helix will not take a mapping card in the right slot and occassionally freezes.  I have to unplug it and plug it back in.  My Garmin 106 has been flawless as were my Lowrance units on my last boats.  No more Humminbirds for me! 

[Junger]

I think it comes down the the trolling motor. If you want responsive, cable steer feel, the Ultrex Quest is what you want. Garmin Force has some cool features too, such as remote point and steer, but from what I've heard, it does have a very slight delay, since the foot pedeal is fully wireless.

 

I think once you decide which TM you want, then you follow up with Xplore or Echomaps.

[Born 2 fish]

I have both I have a complete one boat network with Humminbirds I run 3 Helix 10s 2 at the console one on the front deck. A Minnkota Ultrex and two Raptors. But I also run a Garmin 1222 for my FFS. I’m extremely happy with this set up. 
Im extremely happy with Humminbird Side images and lake master mapping. And I’m extremely happy with my Garmin LVS 34 Livescope.

[Functional]

On 2/8/2025 at 11:56 PM, Junger said:

I think it comes down the the trolling motor. If you want responsive, cable steer feel, the Ultrex Quest is what you want. Garmin Force has some cool features too, such as remote point and steer, but from what I've heard, it does have a very slight delay, since the foot pedeal is fully wireless.

 

I think once you decide which TM you want, then you follow up with Xplore or Echomaps.

I like the tension of cable steer but went with a Force a few years back mainly because it had a brushless motor vs MK who didnt at the time. Setting the tension in the Force foot pedal to match a cable steer I have noticed no lag. Only when you loosen it up a lot and start mashing it like a wild bore willl you notice a smidge of lag. Under normal use I've not experienced any lag.

 

I will say (may be me) you cant coast up to a spot and instantly hit spot lock, it will backtrack you. You need to sit in the position for about 5-10 seconds before you hit the button for it to keep you where you are. Seems to be a bit of lag in the GPS tracking. I dont know if this is normal, first time I have spot lock.

[DaubsNU1]

I had a Garmin Echomap on my old boat, and was fully ready to pull the trigger on a full Garmin networked set up on the new boat back in August of 2023.

 

However...

 

Had spent a few years fishing in my Brothers boat with Minn Kota Ulterra | Humminbird Helix 9's.

 

The down and side imaging on the Helix was, in my opinion, much better than my Garmin unit.

 

I have not been disappointed. I don't have FFS in my future plans.

 

The touch-screen on the Echomap was pretty cool. But after initial set up, I never really used the touch screen all that much. I suppose it's easier to mark waypoints with touch screen...but I have adapted well to using the Helix.

 

I really loved the cable steer trolling motor on my old boat. Took a little while to get used to the Ulterra and electric steer.

[bishoptf]

Probably late to the game but I will give you my .02 and probably not worth that but I was in your same spot last year when I got a new boat. They all have pros and cons and it just depends on what is most important to you. I rigged my boat myself and being an old engineer I tend to get in the weeds when researching. After thorough research I will give you some of the things that at least steered things for me. Again I don't think there is any wrong answer they all pretty close these days imho. I went with 2 echomap ultra2's and garmin force trolling motor, mega 360 and a helix head unit for that one. Here are some of the things that steered me towards Garmin...

 

Some pros:

My older boat I had humminbird and I do think they have the best Side/Down imaging but the newer Lowrance and Garmin units are pretty close. When Garmin came out with the GT36/56 transducer I think they closed the gap in regards to side/down and the same for Lowrance HDS Pro units. 

 

Wireless networking with the new echomap units (only works with 2 units though), even the Garmin force wirelesses links to the units.

 

Brushless TM (they are all brushless now, but the old MK ultrex was not brushless, the new Quest Ultrex is, the brushless motors are stronger and way easier on batteries, they still sell the old Ultrex so FYI.  All the brushless motors can run 24v OR 36v.) I also did not want a big ole cable going to my foot pedal and have to deal with it at the front of the boat, Garmin force has a wireless foot pedal. I have no lag that I can discern, it is different from a cable steer but seems to work well. 

 

Even though I was not going initially with FFS I felt that Garmin had the best FFS and if I wanted to add it in the future it would be an easy add.

 

Garmin units, at least the latest echomaps (I did not look at the gpsmap units) are quick release units. They have a latch and snap in and out of the cradle, my boat does not stay at my house and its easy for me to pop them in/out and take home etc. Might not be something important to you but it is convenient. 

 

There are more but I think it really does come down to which ecosystem you want to live in, they all will work. I will also add that Garmin support has been top notch. I have had issues with my Force and its rare that you can call someone and get a tech in the US within a reasonable time and they work through the issue. I've called them on the water to troubleshoot stuff, I have a lot of charging electronics and that was not there issue but they helped me figure things out. They have sent replacements if needed and really support the product. Maybe the others are as good but I was glad to see that at least Garmin supported the product.

 

My main niggle is like was mentioned above, if you hit spot-lock while moving you will back up. I have learned how to deal with it I hit spot lock and when it slows you down and starts moving you backwards I just turn it off and back on. So I tend to hit it a couple of times and it works pretty well, I do use it alot when I am coming in hot to an area and use it to slow or stop the boat, just have to get used to how things work.

 

One thing to think about that I missed initially is you will want a heading sensor WITH any unit that you are going with. GPS direction on works IF you are moving, called course over ground. Each brand has one called something different but they are basically magnetic compass that ties in with your unit so when your not moving your maps are still pointing in the right direction.

 

If you have any specific question about garmin just let me know, maybe some of this rambling may help....attached a couple of screenshots with my phone, if you dial things in you can clearly see fish on side imaging...

[The Baron]

I’ve pretty much decided on Garmin, just need to pull the trigger.  Thinking a 9” UHD2  in the dash, and a Force trolling motor.  Then add a 10” at the bow as soon as our old boat sells.  That should all network wirelessly. 😎🤞🏻

[bishoptf]

13 minutes ago, The Baron said:

I’ve pretty much decided on Garmin, just need to pull the trigger.  Thinking a 9” UHD2  in the dash, and a Force trolling motor.  Then add a 10” at the bow as soon as our old boat sells.  That should all network wirelessly. 😎🤞🏻

I did 2 10" units (console and bow), i think right now basspro has them on sale. I have been happy with the 10" units, going from 10 to 12" was a big jump in price. One thing to keep in mind if you want 2d for depth while running DO NOT get the gt56 transducer, you will want the 2 units WITHOUT a transducer and then get the combo unit gt8/gt56 which will get you a thru hull unit gt8 and then your side and down with the gt36 on the transom.

[The Baron]

3 minutes ago, bishoptf said:

One thing to keep in mind if you want 2d for depth while running DO NOT get the gt56 transducer, you will want the 2 units WITHOUT a transducer and then get the combo unit gt8/gt56 which will get you a thru hull unit gt8 and then your side and down with the gt36 on the transom.

I was going with a 9” because that’s the largest screen I think can be mounted in the dash of our Lowe Stinger 195.  
 

Our old Bass Tracker has a 9” Echomap UHD with the GT56 transducer and I was quite happy with it for down/side imaging when idling.  I figure that at the stern like we had and then use the built in transducer on the Garmin Force for the bow unit for down/side imagining. 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

(this is what irks me, it’s not cheap stuff and everything’s so darn complicated/unclear 😒)

[gim]

1 hour ago, The Baron said:

I was going with a 9” because that’s the largest screen I think can be mounted in the dash of our Lowe Stinger 195.  

Good call. Doing homework in advance to save headaches later. Most in dash flush mounts have a limited screen size. There are ways around that problem with expensive specialized brackets but I think a flush mount is ideal if it can be done.

[The Baron]

Yeah, I thought maybe I’d splurge on a 10” at the console but I looked at a couple different mounts and the prices were shocking.  Cheaper to go up another +1 in my Amazon reading glasses and just pretend I got a 10”. 😂

[casts_by_fly]

4 hours ago, The Baron said:

Yeah, I thought maybe I’d splurge on a 10” at the console but I looked at a couple different mounts and the prices were shocking.  Cheaper to go up another +1 in my Amazon reading glasses and just pretend I got a 10”. 😂

wait, readers make everything 1” bigger?  What if I buy her the 3x model?

[bishoptf]

14 hours ago, The Baron said:

Yeah, I thought maybe I’d splurge on a 10” at the console but I looked at a couple different mounts and the prices were shocking.  Cheaper to go up another +1 in my Amazon reading glasses and just pretend I got a 10”. 😂

Eh im cheap, i bought a $20 piece of aluminum sheet to place over my console cutout, left it natural since.my boat is silver then bought this mount from basspro - https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-lockdown-dash-mount i will see.if I can find some pictures. Came out real nice since i could raise it above my steering wheel.

 

Found a picture and zoomed in dash, i jought a square piece of aluminum I thin 1/4" square for $20 screwed that to the console and then attached the $40 basspro mount, all in for $60.