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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
#12053564
01/22/17 02:46 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26
MadCatter
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26 |
I need some advice on which unit to buy. I figured I'd get feedback from the guys who actually use them for the same type of fishing that I do. I am stuck between the Lowrance Elite 7 ti and the Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS. I've been on every forum, you tube video, and website that I could find and I've even played with both at BPS and Cabelas.
The biggest differences that I have found are the Elite 7 is touch screen, has chirp which you cannot run with SI or DI active, and is easier to navigate the menus. Clarity is a wash as both units are similar. The Humminbird has the ability to add a second 2d transducer for depth on plane, while the lowrance comes with an 11" football to mount on the transom.
It's really 50/50 for me. I currently have a helix 5 that served me well until I ripped the transducer off doing about 65. So I already have a lakemaster card.
I guess what I'm asking is what kind of real world image quality are you guys getting on the water with these units? Any pros/cons that you have found while out fishing? Which would you recommend and why? Please don't respond with just Humminbird or Lowrance, I would like to know the reason and unit that you are running.
Thank for the help!
David (shut up and fish) I've tried calling you 5 times this week.
"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work."-Thomas Edison
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12053667
01/22/17 03:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,716
RODS454
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,716 |
I haven't seen the Elite 7. I have a HDS7 Gen3 and Multiple Humminbird. My Helix 10di is much easier to navigate for me. But I must admit I've only had the Lowrance on the water twice. I like the clarity of the Lowrance better. JMHO.
"I'd rather be fishing!" ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/usergals/2018/01/full-18300-194456-d8vsv9l.jpg)
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12053713
01/22/17 04:22 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737
GIG'EM AGGIES
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737 |
I'm using an Elite 7ti with total structure scan ( down and side ) and really like it. I also have the Navionic's Platinum South with it and that works really well with the unit. No cons for me, love the touch screen and pretty easy to set up. Always good to get opinions and advice and most of the guys at BPS are a big help too.
I am a Senager. (Senior teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 50 years later. I get an allowance every month. I have PU truck and a bass boat, I am blessed.
Conscience never acquits, it either accuses or excuses.
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12053715
01/22/17 04:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26
MadCatter
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26 |
Thanks for the reply. I think I can get past the difficulty in navigation. I guess I'm just trying to figure out which one has better imaging capabilities. I hate decisions like these, once you settle on one that's what you got.
"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work."-Thomas Edison
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12053723
01/22/17 04:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26
MadCatter
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26 |
Hey gig'em, do you have any images you could post? Looking at them in the store the elite 7 ti looked grainy. Wondering if it's the same out on the water.
"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work."-Thomas Edison
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12053746
01/22/17 04:38 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737
GIG'EM AGGIES
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737 |
Don't have any pictures MC but the screen and pictures are very clear on mine. If you were looking at BPS those are all demo pictures and not actual pics you will get outdoors with the antenna. Not suppose to say this but the guy I deal with at BPS recommended the Lowrance over a comparable HB.
I am a Senager. (Senior teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 50 years later. I get an allowance every month. I have PU truck and a bass boat, I am blessed.
Conscience never acquits, it either accuses or excuses.
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12053924
01/22/17 06:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,439
Gamblinman
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,439 |
I've been a Lowrance man for 40 years. My next units will be Humminbird.
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12053928
01/22/17 06:23 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 367
jasonslabseeker
Angler
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Angler
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 367 |
John 21:3-8
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12053948
01/22/17 06:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,826
me and the boys
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,826 |
HB made in America and better warranty.
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12054058
01/22/17 07:38 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17,336
Jacob
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17,336 |
Only thing I don't like about my Helix 7 SI is the DI. It's not true DI, but I figure if I saw it on side imaging, it'll still be there when I'm right on top of it. My Lowrance DI unit that's also at the console causes interference with the SI on the Helix, but not terrible.
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12054113
01/22/17 08:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Twistedmidnite
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 228 |
I was in the same boat as you a few weeks ago. Iv got a thread titled bird vs lowrance. I went with the birds
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12054169
01/22/17 08:54 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26
MadCatter
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26 |
Does anyone know if you can connect an ipad or tablet to the elite 7 ti or hbird to share the display? I heard you could on the elite.
"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work."-Thomas Edison
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12054609
01/23/17 12:43 AM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737
GIG'EM AGGIES
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737 |
Well, there you have it. The best 3 unit's are Lowrance, Humminbird and Garmin and not specifically in that order. Does that help? Aren't you glad you didn't ask for the best boat or truck. 
I am a Senager. (Senior teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 50 years later. I get an allowance every month. I have PU truck and a bass boat, I am blessed.
Conscience never acquits, it either accuses or excuses.
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12054826
01/23/17 02:28 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,116
shut-up-and-fish
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,116 |
I need some advice on which unit to buy. I figured I'd get feedback from the guys who actually use them for the same type of fishing that I do. I am stuck between the Lowrance Elite 7 ti and the Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS. I've been on every forum, you tube video, and website that I could find and I've even played with both at BPS and Cabelas.
The biggest differences that I have found are the Elite 7 is touch screen, has chirp which you cannot run with SI or DI active, and is easier to navigate the menus. Clarity is a wash as both units are similar. The Humminbird has the ability to add a second 2d transducer for depth on plane, while the lowrance comes with an 11" football to mount on the transom.
It's really 50/50 for me. I currently have a helix 5 that served me well until I ripped the transducer off doing about 65. So I already have a lakemaster card.
I guess what I'm asking is what kind of real world image quality are you guys getting on the water with these units? Any pros/cons that you have found while out fishing? Which would you recommend and why? Please don't respond with just Humminbird or Lowrance, I would like to know the reason and unit that you are running.
Thank for the help!
David (shut up and fish) I've tried calling you 5 times this week. Was a very busy week of installation jobs and this week is just as busy. Sorry if I had not called you back. Hard to tell if I called you back or not with just your handle here on TFF. I have three calls pending for tomorrow setting in v-Mail. I would recommend you call my counter part who covers the Lowrance side of life for us and try me again and I can share with you the Humminbird side of life. Looking forward to assisting you.
![[Linked Image]](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4214/35243190830_389843bb65_n.jpg) www.shut-up-and-fish.comFrom *Sales, *Installation Services, and *On the shop floor Education & Instructional Tips We have you covered here @ shut-up-and-fish for all of your Humminbird, Lowrance, Garmin, Minn Kota & Motorguide needs plus much more - Call Now 972 822 9285
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12055120
01/23/17 01:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6,950
crapicat
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6,950 |
I can not answer your question intelligently, but I can tell you when faced with a similar decision, I chose to go with the Hummingbird. Those Helix units have fantastic displays (wish they had been offered when I was buying)...what helped me make my mind up...I wanted to spend my time fishing and not fiddling with the electronics most of the day. I hope this information helps.
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12055580
01/23/17 05:20 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26
MadCatter
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26 |
Thanks for the replies. I guess at this point it'll probably be whichever one I can find the best deal on. I already have the LakeMaster South charts so i'll probably lean towards the bird.
"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work."-Thomas Edison
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Re: Officially stuck with decision on electronics. HELP!
[Re: MadCatter]
#12056530
01/24/17 01:29 AM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 23
Laststop
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 23 |
Make sure you look at the Helix Gen 2 model. There are a lot of new features on it. I have Gen 1 Helix 7 and 9 and really like them both. There a lot of You Tube videos on how to set them up. And a few seminars on making Sonar simplified that has helped me.
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