Lowrance HD vs Humminbird HD
 

Buying a new gps unit for my boat. I cant decide on a lowrance hds7 or a humminbird 858c. I know alot of you are big garmin fans but im set on the wide screen hd models. I plan on using a navionics platinum chip in which ever one i get. Ive heard good and bad about both models, any body got any personal experience with either one?

My buddy just put the HDS7 in his boat and he likes other than that don't know much about either, I'm a Garmin guy!

I have a guy that may be able to give you a professional opinion on the pros and cons of each. His Name is John Brummerhop he owns Angler Products in Seabrook Texas. Ph#(281)235-2035 ,email Capt-John@Angler-Products.com, web site www.Angler-Products.com. He also has the navionics chips. Hope this can help you.:)

I always liked lowrance, other than the fact that the new ones only uses the navionics maps for upgrades and they cost $200, Garmin maps are a little cheaper and there gps are easy to use. Lowrance does have good sonar side imaging that I like which Hummingbird has side imaging too which they sued lowrance because they supposedly infringed on there copyright! I'm looking for a garmin sonar and gps for under $500

Garmin 441s color/chartplotter with/optional transducer $539 441 gps $499 West marine
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...st%20Popular|0

I have 441s love it easy to read.

Garmin has a wide touchscreen.......I think its the 7400? I also have the 440s.....its awesome!!!

Lowrance is not in the same category as hummingbird...Lowrance is a better machine all around by 100%

vs the 2 mentioned.....def go Lowrance

I have one but really want to upgrade to the HDS 8 to add xm/sirius satelitte weather

Is there a decent used market to sell my current one??

Lowrance hands down!!!!

I've got a Humminbird 998c si and am happy with it. I chose it for the side scan sonar feature. They did have to send me a new transducer and had to reload the software at the factory after I updated it a third time. The Lowrance is a better system, but requires the structure scan addition and transducer which makes it a little pricey. Lowrance has better maps available than Humminbird. I've got the platinum maps, but they don't have much for SW Louisiana. I know a lot of guys here are Garmin fans, but I've got one of those (545) on my other boat and the sonar portion sucks and I have to turn the unit off because it freezes.

I have an HD7 and love it. My only regret is not getting an HD8 or an HD10. It's very easy to use and I have had 0 problems with it.

Most of the complaints over Lowrance units stem from before the HDs were released. Great unit and you won't be disappointed. Next step for me is to add structure scan ...

:spineyes:

Just bought a new Himminbird GPS/fishfiner today.....

Re
 

I wonder if birds show up on radar??? I guess if the flock is big enough!!

Not to knock ya micah, but n a lake as shallow as big lake and with either a mud, sand or reef bottom ..... Y get structure scan.?? Just wondering.

I was gonna get it for the bridges and Breton sound. But thats deeper water and alot a various structure on bottom.

You'll hit them bridge polls 'fore they show up. :rolleyes: As far as the sound...you can see all the community holes from 5 miles away.

Re
 

Lol
Yea. I've almost hit em a few times in the fog. Right up on em can't see em 15 ft infront of boat.
The community holes are y I wanna find new stuff..... I've seen the structure scan on an offshore boat. Unreal!!!
But hard to set up and read properly.

2 kw radar dome will not get birds that you cannot see already. The models guys use for spotting birds are 6-10kw 6' open arrays for finding birds off the coast.

I do like the structure scan though for bridges and such. I would really like to try it at some of the rigs.

Because it's not that expensive of an add on and I figure it's worth giving it a shot and will be doing some rig fishing this year.

And BTW Salty, I don't need a bird radar - ask anyone, I have one built in my noggin. If there's one flying I know!!:D

I have the HD7 and really like it.

Like them days after hurricanes and the water is so high you can't find dope boat ????