Helix or Garmin

[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 all by going without an electronics sponsor but most pros nowadays run whichever unit they think is best for a certain job without worrying about being sponsored. 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.

[Slabprowler]

Would be good if you could see both units in action to see what your eyes tell you!
I Agree 100 % on if linking trolling motor to units stay with brand that’s linkable if that’s something you will use!
was alway a die hard bird guy ! But when I upgraded boats it had all Garmin’s and since hummingbird were so far behind on live sonar i decided to give the Garmin side image a try and I can see stuff at way slower speeds and pick up stuff On the Garmin’s that I never saw on the birds . Mapping detail is great as well ! To me the Garmin’s are way much user friendly love the touch screens! Garmin support has been top notch ! Very satisfied with Garmin never thought I’d be that guy that would say it but I will prolly never go back to birds!

[Tenn Tux]

true...in so many aspects...quite frankly it is endless. To wit, do you think Ott Defoe would use all Johnny Morris' rods and reels. I mean no disrespect.

[Tenn Tux]

Love my networked Birds. I fished with a guy and he had Lowrance and I must admit the detail was impressive.

[catchNreeleaze]

I am curious why Lowrance is not in this conversation? There are pros and weekend warriors that would say that Lowrance is a way better option

Sent from my SM-N970U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[keeferfish]

I am curious why Lowrance is not in this conversation?

It's all what you get use to. My partner has Lowrance on his boat and I can't stand them but again I'm not comfortable with the controls like I am with the Bird's. I will tell you the transition form Bird to Garmin is easy peasy but not Bird to Lowrance. Maybe it's just me?

[jjue1979]

It is all about what you are comfortable with using. I currently have an 1199 at the bow for 360 and mapping, an 1199 at the console for mapping and side view, and a Garmin UHD 93sv for LiveScope. Since my Terrova is not i-Pilot Linked, I'm thinking of upgrading to a Garmin Force trolling motor simply because I want a better foot control and ability to hang my 360 on it, and it is lighter than both an Ultrex and Ultrex Quest. I can possibly see myself upgrading the 93sv to a 106sv, and then possibly moving the 93sv to the console if one of the 1199s die or just sell it. As someone who grew up on Humminbird and use an old Eagle for a period of time, I'm now wondering why I didn't try Garmin earlier, despite using their GPSs in cars. I've not used Lowrance before, which is why i can't say anything at all about them, but I have no problem with using a combo of HB and Garmin.

[Kevin22]

I am curious why Lowrance is not in this conversation? There are pros and weekend warriors that would say that Lowrance is a way better option

Sent from my SM-N970U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Havent seen a comparable lowrance side imaging shot yet, and their FFS is pathetic. 2D is phenomenal for target separation and definition

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

[Curlytail]

Lowrance for mapping & garmin for everything else. Garmin is so easy to use.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Crappie.com mobile app

[CrappiePappy]

Lowrance for mapping & garmin for everything else. Garmin is so easy to use.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Crappie.com mobile app

I'm with you, CT .... I have Garmin/LS to find'em & a Lowrance Hook 7 to map & drop waypoints.