Helix or Garmin

[hvychev77]

I'm looking to upgrade my Humminbird 998. I'm having a hard time deciding if i want to go with the Garmin GT56 transducer with Ultra 102 screen, or stay with Humminbird and go with a Helix 10. I've heard the garmin gt56 is better than Hbird for side imaging and all that jazz.... What do you all say? Any experience or screenshots anyone could share? Much appreciated.... cheers.

[bamahound]

I run all Garmins for 10yrs on my boat. They get it done. But if I was starting over I would look at what the top 10 pros on the crappie trails run on their boats. Most run birds for side imaging and only use Garmin for live scope. Them guys have deep pockets and buy the best for the job the unit is needed for

[Kevin22]

I think bird is better imaging than garmin, but both are so good these days that it isnt worth basing a purchase on. Garmin has great free mapping, and ability to upgrade to livescope in the future. They also hold value way better if you decide to change down the line.

Sent from my SM-A516U using Crappie.com mobile app

[CrappiePappy]

I run all Garmins for 10yrs on my boat. They get it done. But if I was starting over I would look at what the top 10 pros on the crappie trails run on their boats. Most run birds for side imaging and only use Garmin for live scope. Them guys have deep pockets and buy the best for the job the unit is needed for

Are you sure ?? Or are they putting the units on their boats for the company's sponsorship ??

[Kevin22]

Are you sure ?? Or are they putting the units on their boats for the company's sponsorship ??

Theres a lot of it that way in the bass and walleye fishing tournaments too. Humminbird spends TONS on sponsorships, but only the elite pros sign exclusive contracts. Otherwise they take the bird sponsorship and then run a garmin just for livescope and birds for everything else.

Sent from my SM-A516U using Crappie.com mobile app

[bamahound]

Are you sure ?? Or are they putting the units on their boats for the company's sponsorship ??

just IMO guy, but the reality of it would be a sponsor like bird dropping $$ on a fisherman running Garmin or Garmin sponsored fisherman running birds is a dog that won’t hunt

[rnvinc]

If your trolling motor is networkable - there is advantage in having a electronics unit that will Network with the trolling motor ...

Rickie

[Grainraiser]

For me it would boil down to what trolling motor do I have and if I plan on getting Livescope in the future. If Livescope is in the future go with the Garmin. If not get the one that is compatable with your trolling motor (assuming it has a built in transducer). I would go price if no built in transducer or Livescope is in the equation.

[keeferfish]

I have both but only use the 106 for livescope up front only, also have a 12 Helix on the dash for SI and it's great for SI and great detail. I have no need to network.

I bet there are tons of used Helix's out there for sale. That's how I got mine. Good Luck!

[Les Young]

just IMO guy, but the reality of it would be a sponsor like bird dropping $$ on a fisherman running Garmin or Garmin sponsored fisherman running birds is a dog that won’t hunt

Jacob Wheeler started it but most pros now run whichever unit they think is best for a certain job. Most run humminbird for side imaging & lake master mapping & either lowrance active target or Garmin livescope for forward facing sonar. Those that still use 2d a lot usually use lowrance for that too. Lots of pro bass fishermen have had all three brands for several years. I run interlinked birds at console & bow & an independent Garmin for livescope & it works great in my opinion. Now if I was buying everything new right now I’d go Garmin simply to have everything the same but have no problem with humminbird whatsoever.