I have only used Lowrance but I am looking at a boat with two large screen Hummingbirds with HDS11 and One HDS 9. All with Sidescan
What do you guys think about these?
I have only used Lowrance but I am looking at a boat with two large screen Hummingbirds with HDS11 and One HDS 9. All with Sidescan
What do you guys think about these?
Both are great units. I have only used Lowrance but I have played with the Hummingbird and for me it was like learning a new language. There are so many good units out there now they are all about equal. It becomes a matter of ease and comfort because they all work different. For me the mapping is what makes the difference and they both take a Navionics chart which takes the mapping to the next level.
I have an HDS-8, and HDS-7 and an HB 1198 in my Ranger. The boat came with the HDS units and I added the HB to the bow because I think HB imaging is better. I use the HB for 360, SI and SI. I use the Lowrances for 2D sonar, mapping and some side-scanning. These are my first Lowrances and it took me a while to figure how to navigate around the Lowrances but all's good now. I'm thinking about upgrading the 1198 to an Onix 10.
2013 Ranger Z520c, 2013 Yamaha 250 SHO
2018 Ranger Z521c, 2018 Yamaha 250 SHO
I'm getting use to my Bird's after only owning Lowrance. I hated the Bird's because they are different than Lowrance at operation. After some on the water help from a board member I am really liking the Bird's now!
Humminbird doesn't make any such model. You must be talking about the 1199 and 999. Both are good units, but the 999 wastes a lot of screen space with the overlay data. There was a software update that fixed that problem for the SI screen, but not the regular sonar screen.Originally Posted by BassBoatDiverduane
I have used Lowrance, H-bird, and Garmin units. The H-birds are way easier to install and use. You don't have to study a manual to figure out how to set-up and adjust the H-birds. They are super easy to work with, and the 3 pre-set buttons are awesome.
I'm running 2 HDS-9's, and I'm wishing I had 2 1199's instead. The biggest advantage to the H-birds, is with the SI transducers. With 1 transducer, you can have 2D sonar, SI, and DI on the trolling motor. I can't even get all those features with the HDS-9 on my Fortrex.The most I can get is 2D sonar and DI. That would take two different transducers. I do get 2D, SI, and DI on the console unit, but it has 2 transducers connected to it.
The Humminbird GPS antennas are better too. They lock on and refresh twice as fast as Lowrance. You can also use Lakemaster maps with the H-bird. You can't run those on Lowrance. You can get Navionics on the Lowrance, but Lakemaster is far superior.
Gitcha Bass On!
On my 12 up front (or 9 for that matter) most often I run DI and 2D on the screen and Structure Scan pulled from the back through the Ethernet. It works good. With structure scan pulled from back ducer, if I see something that interests me I simply drop a waypoint and spin and fish it.................. P.S. Point 1 Antenna's are incredible on these units Steve........................RR
"Never argue with an idiot; He will beat you to death with stupidity"
Roger, I have never thought to try that. I have the spotlight scan on the front but haven't used it that much. I feel I will once I start fishing deeper now. But I like your idea and I am going try that next time out. I had HB on my last boat so I am still learning these units. I also want to use the structure mapping but haven't had time to try it out.
I have a HB 999 SI at the console & a HB 959 DI at the bow which are ethernet. I have used Lowrance and Humminbird and I just find that HB is user friendly, and HB now has Chart Select which lets you download any lake you want instead of buying a package of the whole NE, NW, etc lakes....
Dawnpatrol.
Goin Fishing be home for Hunting Season !!!!!!!!!
Get a HB Onix and a bow 360 and you will never look back.
2017 Ranger Z520c "Blackout Edition"
2017 Mercury Optimax ProXS 250
Humminbird Apex 13(x3), Solix G3, Ultrex Quest, Mega360, Mega Live 2, Mega Live
If you are a weekend angler then I recommend HB. I could not pass the boat deal I got and it came with Lowrance. I am giving it a year playing around with them before I make a final decision. However, after several weeks I am leaning toward ripping the units and sonic hub out and replacing it with HB. HB took me a week to learn. I also like Lakemaster much better.Humminbird doesn't make any such model. You must be talking about the 1199 and 999. Both are good units, but the 999 wastes a lot of screen space with the overlay data. There was a software update that fixed that problem for the SI screen, but not the regular sonar screen.
I have used Lowrance, H-bird, and Garmin units. The H-birds are way easier to install and use. You don't have to study a manual to figure out how to set-up and adjust the H-birds. They are super easy to work with, and the 3 pre-set buttons are awesome.
I'm running 2 HDS-9's, and I'm wishing I had 2 1199's instead. The biggest advantage to the H-birds, is with the SI transducers. With 1 transducer, you can have 2D sonar, SI, and DI on the trolling motor. I can't even get all those features with the HDS-9 on my Fortrex.
The Humminbird GPS antennas are better too. They lock on and refresh twice as fast as Lowrance. You can also use Lakemaster maps with the H-bird. You can't run those on Lowrance. You can get Navionics on the Lowrance, but Lakemaster is far superior.
No experience with Lowrance but Hbird customer service has really proved to be amazing. Very responsive and accommodating and they stick by their products.
Thanks to all for the information, it has been helpful and makes me more comfortable with the Hummingbirds. The boat has two HDS11 inch and one HDS 9 inch. I don't know any more about the model numbers. I am scheduled to pickup the boat tomorrow. Its a 2013 521c 250 merc with a lot of stuff I don't yet know how to operate. I now have a 97 svs with basic stuff on it. No power poles, jack plate etc. I guess I will have to get used to all the guages and features working. All the essential things work on my 97, but some of the guages work when they want to. None of the bow switches work but it has been a good boat for me.
Those are all Lowrance units.
Congrats on the new rig!!!!! Post pics when you pick her up.
2013 Ranger Z520c, 2013 Yamaha 250 SHO
2018 Ranger Z521c, 2018 Yamaha 250 SHO
And they are HDS 12's ..................good units Sir.............................RR
"Never argue with an idiot; He will beat you to death with stupidity"
I second that
Both are great units and most people like what they have gotten use to. The Humminbird units are a lot more user friendly with fewer steps to navigate through. Can't go wrong either way.
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