Thread: Lowrance or Humminbird

It's all personal preference, go look at both, push the buttons and ask questions. Then buy the one that YOU like best. I personally like Lowrance stuff and in my opinion the down scan and side scan is better than Hummin Bird. That's my opinion and I have no problem with someone elses opinion being different .

Ford vs Chevy type deal. They are both good units and as mentioned above get the one you like the best. That said I had a 997 I bought on here several years ago and really liked it and it was easy for me to use. I sold that boat with the unit on it and my next boat I put lowrance hds7 in it. I could never get use to it, as I'm an idiot when it comes to electronics so now I'm back to a 998. Go figure! One thing I didn't like about the lowrance was having to buy the LSS-1 for side scan.

I agree, check them both out and buy what you're confortable. I currently have Low HDS 7 & 8 and the 8 (&10) are easier to get around on than the HDS 5 & 7 with those soft keys. I've seen them both work and both are nice.

If you have any interest in adding i-Pilot Link to your boat, then the Humminbird 1198 is the only choice.

Too bad that the manufs. can't have a love fest and at least allow waypoint sharing between any unit. The don't give a hoot about our inconveniences. They just want our money.

Someone will take money with a smile. Good luck.

For some ... The decision is the hardware needed to get the features desired....
For others... The decision is the DI (or DownScan in L)...

Lowrance
HDS head unit..
2d xducer..
External GPS antenna (optional as L has internal)
LSS-1 module..
DI/SI xducer...

Humminbird
HDSI Head unit...
2d/SI/DI xducer...
External GPS antenna....

Lowrance has better down scan due to dedicated DI crystals...
Humminbird down imaging is "computer generated" from the SI crystals...

Menu differences are moot...practice...practice...practice...
Customer service is moot...both companies have their days...

So... It boils down to 2 distinct differences...(most every other brand issue is opinionated)...
1. Less hardware...Humminbird
2. Better DI .........Lowrance

Rickie

Just to clairfy the Lowrance hardware, you don't have to buy a LSS-1 or 2 for each unit. One LSS-1 or 2 will run three HDS units. I have a LGC-4000 (external GPS antenna) on my boat and in all honesty I can't say that it's any better than the internal. I've only been out with it one time, so my opinion may change later.

Originally Posted by justinp61

Just to clairfy the Lowrance hardware, you don't have to buy a LSS-1 or 2 for each unit. One LSS-1 or 2 will run three HDS units.

Good info Justin...

Rickie