Humminbird

[wicklundrh]

I too have taken note over the years regarding what seems like a lot of issues with Hummingbirds and people reporting them. BUT, I also believe that it really depends on where you look.

It appears that there is a much larger number of CDC members that run hummingbird. As a result, there will be much more questions and issues that are brought up in the hopes that others will be able to help out. If however you head over to another site (say a walleye or Salmon site) you might see the same thing only with Lowrance. That is because a large majority of those users tend to lean towards Lowrance over Hummingbird.

We own 6 or 7 Lowrance units. I've not had any issues with them however, I am also a computer network engineer so I do know and understand the technology and how to utilize it. I also know and understand when updates come out, what they are supposed to fix, what the potential issues could be, and how to get around it.

I will say that, for what it is worth, the majority of the people I encounter tend to lean towards Hummingbird. The reason for it is that they are more simplistic to opperate. This tends to be important for the older fishing community that might be afraid of technology. I've done a lot of comparison over the years and what I have found might be another reason why you tend to see more CDC members with Hummingbird (or Garmin) over Lowrance where you will see more Lowrance users fishing walleye and salmon.

Hummingbird has, since it came out, always had much better side imaging and down imaging technolgies. Their screens are just more crisp. The people that have them know just how valuable this tool can be relating to crappie fishing. Lowrance has a good unit, but no where near what Hummingbird or Garmin has. Where Hummingbird falls extremely short is their mapping capabiliteis. Their standardized maps do not hold a candle to Lowrance or Garmin. So, when fishing smaller lakes where simple mapping technologies is utilized along with GPS, Hummingbird would win over most crappie fishing enthusiast. BUT, when you are walleye or salmon fishing where you are often times fishing large open water locations or the great lakes, Mapping software is peremount.

Yes, there are card technologies available and many Bird users do find that they help however, many Lowrance users will tell you that, when comparing base maps side by side with Mapping chips, the mapping chips are NOT as good as the base Lowrance or Garmin maps. Understand however that some lakes are not loaded on the base maps so a Chip could play huge for something like that. We have tested loads of them and have found that the base maps and contours are far superior to the mapping chips you can buy (when dealing with Lowrance).

This "might" explain the reason why it appears there are a lot of issues with Hummingbird. Simply because a large number of CDC members utilize them!

IF I was fishing strictly crappie all the time, I would consider looking in to the live view and panoptics from Garmin! Lowrance has something very similar coming out soon BUT, for walleye and salmon fishing, it offers little help for me so it would be a wasted investment.

[wicklundrh]

Another reason you see a lot of walleye and salmon fisherman going with lowrance is there ability to interact with more tools that those fisherman need. Radar is a prime example. Although I am not familiar with the Hummingbird enough to comment on their ability to connect with Radar, I can tell you that lowrance makes it's own Radar Array that connects to their devices. As a salmon charter or big time walleye angler or tournament fisherman, Radar is a must to ensure safety of yourself and your crew.

Hummingbird connects with Minn Kota is another reason you might see more Birds. Lowrance with Motorguide. What we have found however is that the Motorguide doesn't do everything we want it to do in the walleye community. Many members that switch over from Minn Kota just to connect their device often switch back within a year just because of what they are missing. The key issue is the Motorguide FOB doesn't have a display screen. Although not a big deal if you are operating from your Lowrance device, it IS a big deal when you make adjustments direct from the FOB. You cannot tell your motor settings!

Now, a lot of guys are running duel screens at the helm. Some are using one specific technology (like Lowrance) and running mapping on one while running down imaging or 2d sonar on the other. They might run and HDS7 and an HDS9. I prefer the bigger screens and run split or quad screens. I also have fish finders in the back of my boat as I am trolling and the majority of the time, I am looking at the back and do not want to look forward at the helm. We are now starting to see guys purchase a Hummingbird specifically to operate their TM while using lowrance for other features like mapping.

Crazy world!

[wannabe fisherman]

I think the difference is in the number of units owned. The more of them out there the more complaints, therefore more complaints on birds than Lowrance more on Lowrance than Garmin and so on.

[lowe175]

I've had both and never had a problem with either. I have a lowrance now because it's a touch screen and it's easier than scrolling to market a spot. I will say the birds are a little clearer but all I need to know is are there fish on the spot or not so they both do that well. Get the one that works for you, I just like the touch the spot a mark it on the lowrance.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[CrappiePappy]

I think the difference is in the number of units owned. The more of them out there the more complaints, therefore more complaints on birds than Lowrance more on Lowrance than Garmin and so on.

One also has to realize that many of these "complaints" are on previous years units, and many of those issues have been resolved or newer tech in the current units have replaced those units.

I've always been a Lowrance user, and my previous Elite 5DSI unit gave me some quality screenshots, even though I was never a "master" at setting it or using it :








I now have a Hook 7 and hope I continue to get images like these. I do (now) have a map chip in the unit, so there probably won't be any forthcoming screenshots from the Hook, unless I take the micro sd card along on a trip just to get some screenshots for posting.

[Boa3]

Thanks to everyone for helping me out.

[SlabSeeker0485]

One also has to realize that many of these "complaints" are on previous years units, and many of those issues have been resolved or newer tech in the current units have replaced those units.

I've always been a Lowrance user, and my previous Elite 5DSI unit gave me some quality screenshots, even though I was never a "master" at setting it or using it :








I now have a Hook 7 and hope I continue to get images like these. I do (now) have a map chip in the unit, so there probably won't be any forthcoming screenshots from the Hook, unless I take the micro sd card along on a trip just to get some screenshots for posting.

Dang I wish I could get my Hook7 to show images like that. Is yours the original Hook or the newer Hook2 series?

[CrappiePappy]

Dang I wish I could get my Hook7 to show images like that. Is yours the original Hook or the newer Hook2 series?

Seeker ... those screenshots are from my Elite 5 DSI . But, so far my Hook 7 has given me similar images. I just didn't have a blank sd card in the Hook, so didn't get any new screenshots. My Hook 7 is the original series.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

[tenncrappie]

Pappy got a couple questions. I sent you a PM with my phone number. Call me unless your phone shy!!!!!!!

[CrappiePappy]

Pappy got a couple questions. I sent you a PM with my phone number. Call me unless your phone shy!!!!!!!

Yeah, I've had your number on my phone for quite awhile. My call went to voicemail, so I sent you a text to call me back whenever you're available.