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Lowrance VS. Humminbird #11269078 12/08/15 04:19 AM
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FreshSalt09 Offline OP
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OK guys, I know everyone has their preference but I'm looking to upgrade from my old Humminbird 365I.

I got a deal on a Lowrance Elite 5 HDI with a Lakemaster chip but I just noticed playing with it the other day that it has a dead pixel. It also shows a lot of lag in the input and has froze on me once.

While browsing cabelas, I see they have the Humminbird 688ci HD DI KVD on sale for about what I picked up the elite for and that comes with Navionics+ installed.

So my delimma, I've always heard the graphs on Lowrance are better and I am very interested in being able to overlay the sonar onto the downimage BUT I've always had a good experience with Humminbird's software, unit construction and quality.

So should I take a chance on the elite 5 or stick with what I know?

All my fishing is inshore and lakes.

Humminbird 688ci HD KVD
Lowrance Elite 5 HDI


Re: Lowrance VS. Humminbird [Re: FreshSalt09] #11269365 12/08/15 11:31 AM
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pelican Offline
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IMO, I'd save a little more and get a HB with Side Image.



I've never been good, But I've been Lucky!
I don't Lie or Exaggerate, but sometimes I remember BIG!
Re: Lowrance VS. Humminbird [Re: FreshSalt09] #11269540 12/08/15 01:59 PM
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FreshSalt09 Offline OP
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I wish I could get a SI but they are going to have to come down in price a little more before I'd consider them. I'm trying to stay in the sub $400 range, especially during the holidays. Like I said, I already have the Elite 5 HDI. Picked it up on black friday for $270. I thought it was a great deal, especially with a chip included. My concerns over the quality are making me think otherwise.


Re: Lowrance VS. Humminbird [Re: FreshSalt09] #11269825 12/08/15 03:41 PM
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bert Offline
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Direct comparisons I did prior to buying my humminbird,

2d sonar is better on the lowrance 3d is better on the humminbird
humminbird loaded maps/screens faster when I was looking but not sure now
ease of use and preset buttons went to humminbird then but is a wash now

The rest is preference and most units have built in color and options that make them easy to customize to your preference. IF you are doing 3d down imaging do not rule out the raymarine or the garmin they both have feature packed units as well in your price range.


Bert

"Ipsa scientia potestas est"-Knowledge in itself is power - Sir Francis Bacon

"Beware the lolipop of mediocrity, one lick and you could suck forever" - unknown author
Re: Lowrance VS. Humminbird [Re: FreshSalt09] #11270174 12/08/15 06:41 PM
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kd8jgu Offline
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I have the 4 hdi on my Cuda
I like it
The only Hummingbird I have is the fish buddy on my canoe it is fun
The one thing that made to go with the Lowrance was ease of mounting on my yak
Scupper was designed for the Lowrance transducer

Re: Lowrance VS. Humminbird [Re: FreshSalt09] #11271191 12/09/15 03:21 AM
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jcrash Offline
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Gander Mtn is having a door buster sale this weekend. Hummingbird 698ci Hd-SI for 379.99. Worth getting there early Saturday morning.

Re: Lowrance VS. Humminbird [Re: bert] #11273836 12/10/15 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted By: bert
Direct comparisons I did prior to buying my humminbird,

2d sonar is better on the lowrance 3d is better on the humminbird
humminbird loaded maps/screens faster when I was looking but not sure now
ease of use and preset buttons went to humminbird then but is a wash now

The rest is preference and most units have built in color and options that make them easy to customize to your preference. IF you are doing 3d down imaging do not rule out the raymarine or the garmin they both have feature packed units as well in your price range.


^^^ This is the general consensus.
2D--better on Lowrance
DI and SI--better on Humminbird
mapping--better on Lowrance
ease of use--Humminbird
Garmin and Raymarine also have great products
I'd add that many say Humminbird's customer service is better.

The best deals are now until Christmas and then again in mid February when the new 2016 units hit the shelves.


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Re: Lowrance VS. Humminbird [Re: CCTX] #11273958 12/10/15 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted By: collincountytx
Originally Posted By: bert
Direct comparisons I did prior to buying my humminbird,

2d sonar is better on the lowrance 3d is better on the humminbird
humminbird loaded maps/screens faster when I was looking but not sure now
ease of use and preset buttons went to humminbird then but is a wash now

The rest is preference and most units have built in color and options that make them easy to customize to your preference. IF you are doing 3d down imaging do not rule out the raymarine or the garmin they both have feature packed units as well in your price range.


^^^ This is the general consensus.
2D--better on Lowrance
DI and SI--better on Humminbird
mapping--better on Lowrance
ease of use--Humminbird
Garmin and Raymarine also have great products
I'd add that many say Humminbird's customer service is better.

The best deals are now until Christmas and then again in mid February when the new 2016 units hit the shelves.


All the new 2016 Humminbirds are out now except the Helix 12 CHIRP series due out in Feb. There have been close out sales for a couple of months for the discontinued models.


Helix 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3N and G4N, 1198c SI, SOLIX 10 SI G3,
Helix 8 MEGA SI+ GPS G4N, SOLIX 12 SI and G3, MEGA 360, MEGA LIVE TL, RC-1
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