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  1. #1
    Member scottyc's Avatar
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    Question Time for an Electronics change?

    I'm thinking of upgrading my electronics in the spring. I currently have a Humminbird 788ci/HD down image and a 798ci/HD duel side/down image. both are 2 seasons old. Both have internal GPS and chart plotting. Great units but it is time to upgrade. I would like to change to Lowrance , I was thinking about the HD7 Elite (Gen2, non-touch) for both the drive/trolling motor. Does anybody have any suggestions on what I should get. I fish local Tournaments and Big Water most of the time. Erie is my primary location to fish. I would like to get a Gen2, non-touch units, possibly a 10 is my budget will allow since I have to get 2 units?? thanks
    2007 Nitro 929CDX, 225 Mercury Opti.
    Hummingbird Helix 10/1199 Lowrance 9/12 carbon/Ultrex

  2. Skunked again.
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    #2
    I like lowrance products a lot and the image quality of them is great but the service they gave me (or didn't give me) when I had issues drove me away a couple of years ago and now I use Humminbird. The units you're looking at are great and will work great for you but unless something has changed in the last 2 years hope you never have to have them worked on. Especially now that the touches are out the hds's will no longer be serviced in no time.

    2006 Skeeter 20i 2006 Yamaha 250 HPDI Humminbird 998 dash/Humminbird 898HD bow. 2 8' Power Poles.
    Saepe Expertus, Semper Fidelis, Fratres Aeterni

  3. Lowrance/Garmin/GPS Moderator fishin couillon's Avatar
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    #3
    You are thinking about the HD7 Elite (gen 2)...sounds like your confused....it's either the HDS 7 Gen 2 or Elite 7 HDI.....the HDS is your sonar/gps unit with structure scan as an add on and has both nmea and Ethernet networking...the Elite 7 HDI is sonar/gps/downscan (only)...it is the latest of the units but only have nmea networking....since you stated you want the Gen 2 units i'm gonna guess its the HDS units....2 HDS units on a boat will network great......if you want downscan/sidescan on these units you will have to get the LSS add-on unit. I guess at this point its up to you on what you plan on spending and what units.....since we are at the end of the year, maybe wait and see if they announce anything new.....
    YOU are not entitled to what I have earned!!!!!

    2014 Phoenix 619 Pro / 2014 Mercury 200 Pro XS

  4. Member scottyc's Avatar
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    #4
    Thanks I just went to the web site, I think I will give a local guy a call who is on the pro staff and see what I should get. I know that they have had some issues with customer service and my partner had to buy a new unit since his was out of service. Maybe I will just keep what I have?? I fished a different boat and loved the hd units I was looking at!
    2007 Nitro 929CDX, 225 Mercury Opti.
    Hummingbird Helix 10/1199 Lowrance 9/12 carbon/Ultrex

  5. Member jbp84's Avatar
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    #5
    id move the 798 up front and go to 900 series on your console the deals on 998s are great just need get them tweeked. i have a elite 7 now and a 997 the ds and sonar on the elite 7 blows the hb 997 out the water but technology is years apart in boyh graphs. i bought the 997 for the si
    Phoenix 919 pro xp

  6. Banned
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    #6
    I finally got rid of my Lowrance went to Humminbird couldent be happier. HB is WAY more user friendly

  7. Member
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    #7
    After reading this thread, now i'm confused...

    Good luck whatever you decide!
    Last edited by KBush; 10-18-2013 at 09:43 AM.

  8. Member Nitro 929's Avatar
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    #8
    I got the touch 9 at the console and elite 7 @ the bow and works good for how I fish! The elite 7 downscan is very good for a lower priced unit!
    2003 Nitro 929 / 225 EFI
    Del Norte Bass Anglers

  9. Member scottyc's Avatar
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    #9
    Thanks I have been talking to Brian @ BBG looking like 2 elite 7's is the way to go.
    2007 Nitro 929CDX, 225 Mercury Opti.
    Hummingbird Helix 10/1199 Lowrance 9/12 carbon/Ultrex

  10. Member jbp84's Avatar
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    #10
    i wish lowrance would come up with a elite 7 does just si so i could have it on the console
    Phoenix 919 pro xp

  11. Indiana Bass Club Moderator billius's Avatar
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    #11
    Quote Originally Posted by scottyc View Post
    Thanks I have been talking to Brian @ BBG looking like 2 elite 7's is the way to go.
    If I have to replace my HB's some day, or if I order a new boat someday, right now I would get two of the Elite 7's. I don't see how you could get more bang for your buck with anything else.
    Bill Gard
    Richmond, Indiana
    2015 BassCat Caracal/225ProXs
    TEAM SHERM'S MARINE
    Of course I talk to myself...sometimes I need expert advice.

  12. Member
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    #12
    Lowrance drove me away too. I have my first BIRD now. I have in the basement 7 different manuals from old Eagle or Lowrance units. It's their loss.

  13. Member 78Staff's Avatar
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    #13
    Lowrance hasn't been the same since they let Linda go... Man that burned a lot of bridges.

  14. Member Slick Rick's Avatar
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    #14
    Customer service, or should I say the lack of customer service drove me away, I will never own Lowrance again.
    Ricky Rutherford
    2017 Legend V20
    2017 250 Pro XS

  15. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
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    #15
    Quote Originally Posted by 78Staff View Post
    Lowrance hasn't been the same since they let Linda go... Man that burned a lot of bridges.
    Linda is gone and all the engineers went to Garmin. Panoptics ring a bell.
    Last edited by ifishinxs; 06-23-2017 at 01:19 PM.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175 (3B414035) Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,

  16. Member
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    #16
    I ran lowrance stuff for twenty years went to Hummingbird This time in my new rig . Much easier to run . Best bang for your buck . Won't be going back to lowrance . Never had any problems with my lowrance s . Hummingbird is just easier to use . Side scan blows lowrance away with a bird .

  17. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
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    #17
    Hummingbird or Garmin are the only real choice.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175 (3B414035) Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,

  18. Member
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    #18
    I always had Lowrance but switched on my last boat. Like the Humminbirds so much I stuck with them on the boat I just ordered.