Lowrance vs Humminbird Question

[TNDude85]

Long time lurker, but I have a question. I've been reading up on this, but I want to make sure I'm on the right track. I'm looking at putting fish finders on my boat, but I want to be able to incorporate engine monitoring if I can. This is on an Xpress AWD 18 with a Yamaha F70 tiller stear duck boat.

So, if I go Lowrance, I was thinking about doing the Elite-7 TI in the back so I can have side scan, not sure what I would put up front but I would want something with down scan. Basically my understanding is that I would need to get the NMEA 2000 starter kit which would have 3 hookups and the Yamaha cable. Would this allow me to get RPMs and such on the 7 TI or am I completely not understanding how this works? Would I also be able to network to the front finder via the NMEA 2000 setup or does Lowrance use an Ethernet cable?

If if I were to go Humminbird, I guess I would have to go with a Helix 7 SI GPS G2N in the back and a Helix 7 DI GPS G2N up front to even be able to network with Ethernet. From there I would still have to buy the Humminbird dongle and the NMEA 2000 starter kit and the Yamaha cable correct?

To me it seems like the Lowrance setup would be more cost effective in the long run would it not? This isn't anything that needs to be rushed. I'm just wanting a fish finder up front and a way to have one incorporated with engine monitoring in the back. If you have any other suggestions, I'm all ears.

Thanks,

[Bassmaster611]

I don't think the Lowrance Ti or Humminbird Helix 5 or 7 have nmea ports.. but I could be wrong

[90 5.0]

Not 100% sure on the new elites but the old ones had nema 2000 but no Ethernet.

Are you sure you can get engine readings off a tiller motor?

[Wayne P.]

I don't think the Lowrance Ti or Humminbird Helix 5 or 7 have nmea ports.. but I could be wrong

The G2N Humminbird Helix 7 models have Ethernet for the NMEA dongle. The first generation and G2 models do not.

[TNDude85]

I don't think the Lowrance Ti or Humminbird Helix 5 or 7 have nmea ports.. but I could be wrong

The Ti and the G2N list it as having the NMEA ports as far as their websites. As long as I was reading it correctly.

[TNDude85]

Not 100% sure on the new elites but the old ones had nema 2000 but no Ethernet.

Are you sure you can get engine readings off a tiller motor?

I took a quick glance the other day and thought I saw the cord under the cowl. Probably should check closer.

[TNDude85]

I took a quick glance the other day and thought I saw the cord under the cowl. Probably should check closer.

Looked again this evening, and it does have the 4 prong plug that connects to the Yamaha cable from lowrance. I also found a document on lowrance's website that says the motors down to 50 should have the plug.

[Jig34]

Have you looked at Raymarine Axiom?

[psycoticbean]

Have you looked at Raymarine Axiom?

Isn't the comparable version of the axiom to the elite 7 ti double the price?

[Jig34]

TI is roughly $800 and Axiom 7 RV is $1,350. However that's not really an apples for apples comparison of products.

[TMG]

Welcome aboard
There are also Lowrance,hummingbird,garmin and Raymarine forums here where you can get alto of questions answered.

[fishin couillon]

Lowrance Ti 7, 9 & 12 does have NMEA port except for the Ti 5.......there are no ethernet ports on the Ti units.....assuming you can connect your motor to the network then you would need to purchase the nmea network and nmea motor to to get engine data......the Ti units can use either the LSS 2/sonar ducer combo with splitter cable, total scan ducer or HDI ducer.....so for you boat setup sounds like a totalscan in rear (side/down/sonar) and HDI in front (down/sonar).

[TNDude85]

TI is roughly $800 and Axiom 7 RV is $1,350. However that's not really an apples for apples comparison of products.

I like the looks of that one but that out of the price range for two units on this boat. Thank you though.

[TNDude85]

Lowrance Ti 7, 9 & 12 does have NMEA port except for the Ti 5.......there are no ethernet ports on the Ti units.....assuming you can connect your motor to the network then you would need to purchase the nmea network and nmea motor to to get engine data......the Ti units can use either the LSS 2/sonar ducer combo with splitter cable, total scan ducer or HDI ducer.....so for you boat setup sounds like a totalscan in rear (side/down/sonar) and HDI in front (down/sonar).

Thanks, that sounds like the direction I'm leaning. Honestly between the two brands, I'm trying to figure out which is the most cost effective for what I'm wanting to do. So far it sounds like I would be ahead with the Lowrance units.

[TroyBoy30]

youre going to have better nmea connectivity with the lowrance. for full nmea on humminbird you need to move up to the solix series

[TNDude85]

youre going to have better nmea connectivity with the lowrance. for full nmea on humminbird you need to move up to the solix series

Thanks, I appreciate the info. Guess that answers that.

[TroyBoy30]

just shoot me an email if you have any questions

[TNDude85]

just shoot me an email if you have any questions

Thanks, will do. Not immediately ready to buy but wanted to do some reasearch.

[90 5.0]

The G2N Humminbird Helix 7 models have Ethernet for the NMEA dongle. The first generation and G2 models do not.

Nema 2k and Ethernet aren't even remotely the same thing.

[TroyBoy30]

No they aren't, but what he said is correct. Re-read it