Still can't make up my mind on which brand of electronics to order. I have always used Lowrance but I know their CS is not up to speed. What did you order and why?
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Still can't make up my mind on which brand of electronics to order. I have always used Lowrance but I know their CS is not up to speed. What did you order and why?
I got mine with Lowrances 8 and 7.. I like both units but birds are a little more complicated i think, my buddy has them and i cant get my head wrapped completely around the software.
I just think lowrances are more user friendly
However i do like hummingbirds pre-set buttons
Plus i like the lowrance having networked LSS-1 and not worrying with big transducers on the trolling motor and such, not having to have GPS pucks..
but hey its only an opinion both brands are excellent and lowrance has been fair with me in the past
I have the HDS8 and HDS7 units on my rig currently with the 8 at the console.
If I could flush mount an 1197 Hbird I'd have that for certain but I do not want another RAM mount console unit (had them before). Hope that soon the new Phoenix console will accommodate the big screen electronics.
Got the HDS8/7 combo as I like the bigger screen at the console so I can see it better and the 998csi Hbird was too little for what I prefer but is a heck of a unit and super reliable. Downside to the Lowrance is the cost to add Structure Scan but if you go with Lowrance you have to get that or you'll wish you had.
Both are great brands for sure and SI is a no brainer once you have had a chance to see it work and it's set up properly. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif
I have humminbirds on mine. I chose HB because I had bad experiences with lowrance support before.
I am having some issues with interference on the 958c on the bow but I think it is a minn kota US2 problem more than it is a HB problem. I would choose to NOT get the US2 sonar if I had to do it all over again.
Birds in my bird and both will be 1100 ram mounted by the factory one at the bow will be ram mounted in the TM foot pedal well.
Have Low. 10 & 8 in my current rig and just do not trust them, both have been back to the factory all ready. No problems sense the fix but HB has a reputation for hardly having anything go wrong with them. Sure I like the pic Low puts out better as well but when it comes to reliability well I am switching to HB so that should tell you my opinion.
Ed...you may want to ask HB at what speed must you be at to get good detail on the scan pics. I believe you have to be under 7 mph. Lowrance is at 30-35 mph. Just thought you may want to know that.
I've got a HDS10 ordered for the bow (ram) and an HDS8 for the console.
I am very glad to see that HB now offers something other than Navionics as I'll do my best to avoid buying THEIR maps.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by nikldac »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Ed...you may want to ask HB at what speed must you be at to get good detail on the scan pics. I believe you have to be under 7 mph. Lowrance is at 30-35 mph. Just thought you may want to know that.
I've got a HDS10 ordered for the bow (ram) and an HDS8 for the console.
I am very glad to see that HB now offers something other than Navionics as I'll do my best to avoid buying THEIR maps.</td></tr></table>
HDS 10 & 8 I have now and can not get a SS over 6 or 7 MPH now, besides that a I am never going over 10 when I am looking or at idle......don't much care am feed up with having to send Lowrance units back, even have had to replace my SS-1 trans once already as well.
I am more interested in reliability than I am a few MPH. I might regret going to HB but right now am feed up with Low.
Also would like to hear from anyone that is getting Side Scan to work @ 30 - 35 MPH not on my boat.
Which brings up another subject I have a HDS 10 head unit only I will be letting go of, buy of my present rig does not want it. I have it due to getting ready to go on a out of state trip when my HDS 10 just up and quite and wife did not want me without one so she ordered me a new one, so yes this HDS 10 has been reconditioned after quiting http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthdown.gif
The bird won't scan over 4 to 5.
I agree with Ed I had Lowerance that I had to send back every year. So far other then the interlink no problem with the bird. I have the new interlink and it seems just fine.
721 ProXP
I have previously owned Lowrance electronics, but ultimately decided on two Humminbird 788s. I did my reasearch and found what you've all heard before; a lot of people complaining about Lowrance's quality and the customer service is difficult to deal with.
Shortly before I decided to order my Phoenix, I started doing business with the Humminbird plant in Eufaula. This pretty much sealed the deal for me, as I prefer to be loyal to my customers by using their products. Another great thing about this is that the people who work in the plant are more than happy to answer any questions I have about my particular unit when I go in to make a call.
Also, if it is important to you, HBs are still made in America while Lowrance has set up shop in Mexico.
I have owned them both......1197 on the console....997 on the front. Now I have 8 in the console and 10 on the front. I much prefer the lowrance in every way
Humminbird is so much more user friendly than the lowrance.
HB constantly improves thier units with feedback from customers and then turns that feedback into a software upgrade.
I have a 997 si that I purchased in April 2007...I have had zero issues and scanned close to a thousand brushpiles with this thing.
I have seen old screenshot of a HB SI scan that was done by Greg Walters from humminbird at the rate of 45 MPH. If you can keep it in the water undisturbed by water turbulance then it will read clear.
I've used both. Both are good units. If you go with Lowrance, get the HDS8 or 10. The extra keys make them the easier of the units to use in my opinion. Still, you can't go wring with Hb or Lowrance.
Just noticed your color scheme. I've had white decks on my last two rigs. Ordering this one in Remington Blue. Reason I liked white was due to the white reflecting heat and wouldn't burn my butt when I would sit on it to change lures in the hot summer months. My wife thinks this color won't be bad for getting hot. Does your deck get real hot?
Thanks,
Ernie
I had replied that the HDS units could scan at a faster speed. While some of that statement was accurate; I wanted to post this from the Lowrance website, just to clarify the comment I had made.... It appears that I was only "partially" correct. Here's what they state:
SideScan
Depth range: to 150 ft./46 m
Bottom tracking: up to 35 mph/56 kph
Mark baitfish-large objects: up to 15 mph/24 kph
Optimum imaging: 0.5-10 mph/0.8-16 kph
DownScan Imaging™
Depth range: to 300 ft./92 m
Bottom tracking: up to 55mph/88 kph
Mark baitfish-large objects: up to 35 mph/56 kph
Optimum imaging: 0.5-10 mph/0.8-16 kph
It appears they are stating their "best" imaging is when running between .5 & 10mph.
I stand corrected.
Ernie