I want to hear about negative experiences only for both Lowrance and Hummingbird. (As it relates to operation and customer service.)
May be an odd thing to ask for, but ultimately I'm surveying to see which brand has the fewest issues and which business has the better customer support.
If this topic has been discussed before, please provide a link to the information.

Thanks for your feedback!

I don't think you will ever find out which brand is better. It's really like ford vs. chevy some lowrance units will have issues and CS might be bad on some stories. Same might be true for hummingbird. I can tell u that if I was purchasing a new unit it would be lowrance touch screen units

you're right...it is basically a Chevy vs Ford topic. I just would kick myself if I didn't ask.
I always do my consumer research before any big purchase...unfortunately I don't think we have any real objective groups out there reviewing fishing products. (in this case fish finders)

To add to that...if we did have an objective group out there doing reviews...maybe businesses would step up their game a little and we wouldn't see so many quality control issues.

I've had internal antenna issues, water intrusion issues and just flat quit working issues with Lowrance. I've never had an issue with my Humminbird Units but I think Mark Perry did on an '08 iClass I sold him.

All of my Lowrance problems were taken care of promptly and fairly. Of course, this is when Linda Colt was still at Navico.

Here is a 30 sec breakdown from someone that has spent 50,000 hours with his HDS10 units.

Gen1 series - Lot's of failures on these units. If you get a good one, hold on to it.

Gen2 series - Much more reliable than Gen1, way less failures.

LSS1 Box - Piece of ****** garbage. I've been through 5 of them. Does not withstand moisture very well along with all types of internal failures.

Customer Service - Is top notch, no complaints.

As with everything there will be some lemons out there. They both have their issues.

I'd play with both and see which you like better, personally I don't care for the birds menu navigation system and it had driven me nuts everytime I've had to use one.

On the other hand some much prefer their menu layout.

I feel the lowrance is a much more customizable unit and you can doors with it if you choose too.

BBC has very active lowrance and bird forums. It might be best to read through a bunch of those posts and get some hands on time with both.

HB - only used CS once, and decided I'd never buy a HB unit again.

I bought a 597 and wanted to put it on the TM. Before I'd bought the unit, I called them and they said it was no problem to switch the transom-mount transducer out for a TM-mount. After I bought the unit, it was an entirely different story. 5 phone calls and 2 managers later, they charge me for shipping both ways to make the switch and made me feel like a piece of carp for even asking. I would've returned the unit if I hadn't already installed it.

I've had a few problems with the unit itself, but nothing that a reboot wouldn't fix.

I have a Lowrance HDS-5 at the console with an LSS-1 and it's been flawless.

Thanks...BBC has several posts related to this.

I have the same issue, finding a good fish-finder for my front end. Have a H-bird in the dash that is adequate and I won't replace it now. I'll bet I've watched 15 videos electronics and all I know is I won't be spending $1,000 for one.

I never received my rebate from lowrance.

I like the Lowrance features better but recently bought and HDS 7 Gen 2 a few months ago that wouldn't come out of standby mode from the day I installed it so I had to send it back on my dime. Still haven't received my rebate for it either, when I checked the status a month or so ago it said approved yet still no money.

I have Gen 1 and Gen2 I had a Gen 1 HDS 8 go out they were great on getting me a new one and they sent a Gen 2 to replaced it at not cost to me. I have not had any issues with the Gen 2.

Never have had a problem with Lowrance, I believe both products are quality.

I run both of them and have never had a problem with either one of them. Lowrance has better 2d and Humminbird has better Si and Di. Both units have good mapping. One plus with the HB is 360 tranducer can be added. As navigating the menus I think both are easy. You just have to get accustomed to them.