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New Electronics
#11264215
12/05/15 10:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 193
jgf131/tx
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 193 |
OK guys - I know this is like asking which is the best boat / motor / lake etc. but...
I will soon be buying new electronics for my boat and want some opinions, pros and cons. Will be buying big screens 9-12 inch. I've always had lowrance and will probably keep the 7" at the console and 5" on the bow as they are built in. Will be adding a larger screen at both locations.
Let me have it thanks
jgf131/tx
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11264236
12/05/15 10:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 422
slshaneus
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 422 |
i will go with garmin my next time around lawsuit or not they have some of the best technology
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11264247
12/05/15 10:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 72,532
Mark Perry
Super Freak
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Super Freak
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 72,532 |
I bought a Humminbird Helix 7 DI and a Helix 10 SI/GPS for less than what most 7-8" screen units cost. Very impressed with them. The 7 is going on the bow and the 10 at the console. Personally I thought they were an incredible bargain. Total was well under $2000.
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11264385
12/06/15 12:28 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,611
Danny L. Weems
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,611 |
Since you already have the Lowrance I would stay with them. Put the biggest you can afford at each location and I would say go ahead and get the gen 3. I run a 12 and 9 touch at console and a 5 and 9 touch on the bow. Also I suggest getting the HDI transducer that's for the elite series and put on the unit on the bow. This will give you down scan. I run sonar on the 5 and split the 9 into down scan and chart.
Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11264405
12/06/15 12:43 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 811
bbassfishes
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 811 |
Much more value in Hummingbird units, especially with the Helix series. I moved from Lowrance to Humminbird and don't have a bit of regret.
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11264415
12/06/15 12:48 AM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 308
JkWho
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 308 |
Had Humminbird, going with Garmin
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11264687
12/06/15 03:36 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 193
jgf131/tx
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 193 |
jgf131/tx
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11264692
12/06/15 03:39 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,485
pinesjunkie
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,485 |
I went with Lowrance this time but it was do to the deal I got on them. With that said I have had two touch 12s go out last year and my neighbors 9 just went out. All where replace with no problems but this year I have two back up units.
Brad Smith
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11264732
12/06/15 04:10 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 38,566
Frank the Tank
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 38,566 |
Best advice I can give you is go to BPS, not to buy them, but to check all 3 of the major brands out, Remember, Lowrance requires an extra transducer...... go with what you like, you can test them all out at BPS, then buy from somewhere that sells them at a reasonable price.
Jesus loves all of us
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11264966
12/06/15 11:20 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 547
WillieKetchum
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 547 |
I've got Lowrance and like their performace. I've had to send them back 3 times in 2 years. Customer service is good and turnaround is prompt though. I would go back with Lowrance just because I know how they perform. When you buy, be sure to look at www.universalmania.com. They will have the best price plus you won't have to pay tax.
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: WillieKetchum]
#11269242
12/08/15 05:03 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,400
LipRippinLanders -BryanLanders
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,400 |
I went with Lowrance this time but it was do to the deal I got on them. With that said I have had two touch 12s go out last year and my neighbors 9 just went out. All where replace with no problems but this year I have two back up units. I've got Lowrance and like their performace. I've had to send them back 3 times in 2 years. Customer service is good and turnaround is prompt though. I would go back with Lowrance just because I know how they perform. When you buy, be sure to look at www.universalmania.com. They will have the best price plus you won't have to pay tax. I've always said that Lowrance has a little better picture for side/down scan and a lot better picture for regular sonar. However, with that being said, I have always run Humminbirds because I haven't been able to get a Lowrance screen to last more than a year or so. It's frustrating always having to have them repaired or replaced. My Birds may not give me quite as good a picture, but I rarely have to send them in for repair. To me, that is worth the difference in the quality of the picture. I just ordered a brand new Helix 10 SI from David at Shut Up And Fish. That's the only place I buy electronics and other boat items like my Talons and such. Best service in the industry and usually good on prices as well. Awesome guy to deal with.
Tx Burger..."You could find a cheaper burger, but then you'd have to eat it!" V&M Baits...give the fish what they really want !!!
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11269341
12/08/15 09:38 AM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 9,666
Bradshuflin aka hunter'sdad
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 9,666 |
Garmin for me I have had all 3 brands and imo garmin is more user friendly comes with lake maps preloaded and is the best bang for the buck. Several people that have fished with me since I installed my garmin units have made the switch. Hard to beat the 93sv for the price David at shut up and fish can get the garmin for you at a great price.
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11269412
12/08/15 12:29 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,175
patriot07
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,175 |
My HDS-5 is almost 4 years old and my HDS-7 is a year old and I've never had a problem with either one. I am on the 3rd transducer for my Hummindbird 597 that I keep on the bow. So I've definitely had the opposite experience with quality as some on here.
The Lowrance I had before I got the HB 597 was new with the boat (1997 model), and still worked fine when I replaced it in 2010.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11269414
12/08/15 12:31 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,175
patriot07
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,175 |
To answer your question: the HDS-9 or HDS-12 touch are both great units. Expensive, but top of the line as far as picture quality and customization capability.
HB and Garmin both make very good units and all of today's modern units are light years ahead of what we had just 5 years ago, but HB & Garmin are playing for 2nd place when it comes to seeing & distinguishing fish.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
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Re: New Electronics
[Re: jgf131/tx]
#11269496
12/08/15 01:34 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 486
etexbasser
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 486 |
I put birds on my new boat, Helix 7's, and they are great. David at shut up and fish is the only place in town to do business. Just my thoughts and just my money. LOL
later...don
Don Chumley If I ain't fishing, I ain't happy. But mostly I'm happy. I love being retired, the check is in the mail. Mt. 6:33
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