Whether it is or isn't "close" to either Garmin or Lowrance live sonar, I won't comment on... That really depends on how good a person is with tweaking each technology. What I will say is that Mega Live does a great job for me and is totally integrated into my Humminbird and Cannon infrastructure... Anything, Anywhere, All at Once. There is great value to me to be able to see Mega Live, Mega 360, SI, DI, 2D, and VX Mapping from any screen on my boat in any combination imaginable on Solix or Apex... Including Mega 360 and Mega Live side by side on my Apex 19... Wow... Just wow.