Hey all. My question today is a very common one. Humminbird or Lowrance?

I've read and searched for hours on this topic and I hope my decision will be clear within this or the next thread I make. I've seen many people who give

their depthfinder of choice a thumbs up, but I really can't make a decision based on their opinion because they don't have a comparable unit from the

other manufacturer. I'm looking for advice from people who have experience with both companies' units with the current technology of 2010-11.

Here are some things for me to consider:

I have no previous sonar experience so I am unbiased.

I might be able to get a better deal on one or the other; probably Lowrance.

I understand Lowrance has crisper image on the screen, but what good would it be if it doesn't scan as well as Humminbird. Is the technology as far as

'finding fish' goes, equal?

I tournament fish a lot and I have NO PROBLEM whatsoever with a complex unit and a large learning curve. I don't need Humminbird's user friendliness

if/when I could  be better off learning the ins and outs of a Lowrance with more features.

I've also heard of the 'horror' stories of Lowrance's customer service, but it seems to be common that people say they haven't had any problems with their

service, and that it's been improving greatly over the past months. I'm  not sure if this is something to be worried about - if it truly was, I would go

with a Humminbird solely for that reason.

I've also read that Lowrance becomes cheaper when more than one unit is used on a boat. I definitely don't want to ignore this factor as I may end up

getting another one next year or possibly sooner.

How about power and processor speed? I don't want to be shorted on refresh rate going with one brand and have lag of the screen - not even sure if this is

an issue or not.

What other questions should I be asking?

I'm basically looking at the HDS-8 vs 998 and the HDS-10 vs 1198.

If I come to the conclusion that both are more or less equal and it really doesn't matter which I have at the end of the day, the main factor (already a

large one) will become price. I may be able to get a better deal on Lowrance electronics or vice-versa (probably Lowrance).

Thanks in advance for your help,

Julien

Just some suggestions:

Lowrance is trying to improve its customer service. Local dealers are catching a lot of flack regarding Lowrance's insouciant attitude towards its customers and they are complaining to Lowrance.

Hummingbird is supposed to have outstanding support and are friendly and helpful.

Lowarance will not repair older units. The company is putting its future into the newest downside and sidescan units. Older units are obsolete according to Lowrance.

You have to wonder that when the next generation of units is introduced will Lowrance still support the current units? I would not bet on it at this time.

As far as I know, Hummingbird is still supporting its products.

The new Lowrance units may have trolling motor interference. Have not heard any complaints about Hummingbird units.

To try to stop this Lowrance problem you may have to add a third or fourth battery for your electronics only or upgrade the size of your starting battery from a 27 or 28 to a 30 or higher size.

Some say Lowrance units are easier to use than Hummingbird products. Both can be very confusing until you master them.

Lowrance units are more expensive than Hummingbird units.

May I suggest you view the Sonar Professor's DVDs?

He is Wilson Fraizer so look him up on the Internet.

He has three DVDs about sonar units. You will have to watch them a few times and take notes as he goes fast and has a lot of information about our units that you never knew existed.

I think you can order them from www.2adviseproductions.com

The DVDs are worth every cent if you really want to know how to utilize your sonar units.

So...to answer you query...it is up to you. Both company units are acceptable but I suggest you clarify the product support that you will receive when the units start to have problems.

And they will have problems!!!! 

Let us know what units you get and if you encounter problems. 

Joolz,

Correction!!!!

Here is a better web page to access:

http://www.itainttv.com/

Check out the DVDs and see what interests you to learn about our sonar. 

Both companies make good units, but Lowrance needs an attitude adjustment thier customer service is just awful.

I've also heard of the 'horror' stories of Lowrance's customer service, but it seems to be common that people say they haven't had any problems with their

service, and that it's been improving greatly over the past months. I'm not sure if this is something to be worried about - if it truly was, I would go with a Humminbird solely for that reason.

I agree that it seems Low is doing a little better at CS these days. Still something I'd be cautious about, though, especially compared to the outstanding CS HB has. Like HB's software updates. They routinely improve their units software, and make the new releases available to the owners of their units via the internet for a free and quick update of the units. Even the older, out of production units as long as they can. I'm pretty sure Low does not have any program like that.

I've also read that Lowrance becomes cheaper when more than one unit is used on a boat. I definitely don't want to ignore this factor as I may end up getting another one next year or possibly sooner.

Maybe, maybe not. I'm guessing that's speaking about their structure scan, and only having to buy one for several units. But the caveat is that your SS transducer is probably on your transom. So what you're seeing up front while using the trolling motor is like 20' behind you. So old news. You'd have to figure out if that's a big deal or not, but I sure like having my 'birds telling me what's going on under my feet instead of back under the motor! If you find you are the same, you'd have to invest in a 2nd SS unit.

Good luck with your decision!

Sam, as far a trolling motor RF interfeence, it makes no difference what brand or sonar unit or what brand of trolling motor you have. That problem is random and varys a lot in the severity and what frequency is involved.

I delt with RF interence for several months trying to solve it with my Humminbird SI unit on the 455 khz frequency. Many others have also.

A friend of mine went thru the same thing with his Lowrance HDS unit on the 200 khz frequency.

Humminbird is very helpful with solving that issue, don't know about Lowrance support for that.

The trolling motor companies are not as helpful but the Minnkota motors seen to have less issues and are more proactive with preventing it.

If your trolling motor is a variable speed model, it has an electronic speed control circuit that is the transmitter of the RF noise. Whether if will affect your sonar unit depends on what frequency the circuit is "broadcasting". Its a crap shoot that may or may not be resolved.

I never had Hummingbird but I have had four Lowrance units that have never needed repair. LMS 480, LMS 334C iGPS, LMS 520C with the 3000 GPS module & LCX 17m GPS module. My new boat has the HDS 7 & 5 I hope my results will be the same.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

I'll tell you what I would do if were you. I'd go to a store or dealer that had both and look at them. Then I'd buy the one I liked the best as long as I could afford it. If you can't afford the one you like best then buy what you can afford. I've been fishing almost 60 years now. Started with H'bird flashers and now have 997's. Went through several boats with Lowrance in the mean time. My partner is a confirmed Lowrance user. Has HDS's in his boat. He thinks they are the best made. I can't stand them.

Keep in mind that the goal is to catch fish. You need to determine which works best for way YOU fish, not the way I fish. I love my 997's, but not absolutely sure that I didn't catch just as many fish with my old X70's.

They are both good units. Each has features different from the other.

Ranger/Skeeter

Mercury/Yamaha

Mac/PC

Chevy/Ford

You get my drift. No one here can tell what you like best. I'm a Humminbird user, and always will be, but Lowrance is good stuff too.