Why are folks still buying hummingbird units?

because they are good and easy to use. I will look at garmin or raymarine for my next one.

Because they are badarse and their side imaging is still the best. Humminbirds have fewer problems that require warranty repair/replacement. Plus, Humminbird's customer service is top notch. Can't say the same for Lowrance after they dumped Linda. I have Lowrance HDS touch12 and 9's on my boat plus a Bird 1198. Wish I had gone with all Birds.

Legit answers thanks guys.

HB's are so much more user friendly however when comparing my 999ci to my HDS8 the image quality seems higher on the Lowrance when I finally get the right buttons pushed. So... ??

Jerry, in my humble opinion. I agree the Lowrance picture is night and day from HB. Hence the reason for my question. For what we use them for, isn't picture clarity #1?
I have had 9's, 12's etc. I fish with guys with HB and I'm just disappointed.

depends on how you are using your unit............
HB,,, beter side imaging
Lowrance,,,, better 2D sonar

I bought a bought with real nice HBs on it and had to get rid of them because I didn't use it's best feature. I run a Lowrance so much better.

You'll get 50-50 split on who says which is better.

I think Lowrance's marketing model of making everything obsolete every 2 or 3 years, basically requiring you to buy a new unit instead of getting one fixed, makes some folks stick with HB.

I've always used Birds because they LAST. Very little issue with service or breakage. I still have an old HB LCR 400 on my old Raycraft that still works like a champ. I just bought a new boat and my HB 597 is going on it. Love me some Birds!

i am new to this and i have humminbird because i bought the terrova trolling motor and i had to have humminbird in order to use all the fancy features and they work pretty well.

imo humminbird units are not visually appealing compared to lowrance.

Legacy humminbird 11xx 9xx 8xx are not on the same ball park as lowrance.

The ONIX is the one you should compare against the HDS 9 or 12. The onix is pretty bad [censored] also and as good as a lowrance.

Had a humminbird 998c and for side imaging it was nice, but 2d sonar wasn't as good as I was hoping for. Made the switch to garmin 7" touch models and am blown away with the 2d so far, hooking up the side and down imaging tonight

I have a little bit different perspective. I run a 998 SI at the wheel and a Lowrance at the nose because the 2D is better. But, every time I see structure-scan on the newer Lowrances, I think "that picture looks more clear than my HB SI". With that said, I have had 2 Lowrance graphs on my nose [censored] out and quit working, the birds keep going strong. I'll stick with HB and know I can rely on them. What good is a good picture that doesn't turn on or quits working in the middle of fishing? When this Lowrance quits on me, I am putting a bird at the nose and linking it with my 998.

I have had more trouble out of lowrance units than I care to mention.
I have had none with the bird I got six years ago.
The 2D picture may not look as fancy on the bird but it is showing everything that is there to be seen.
The bird is just so easy to use too.
You couldn't run fast enough to give me a Lowrance

I prefer the HB's, last two boats had 798,998 and 1198 units. Much easier to use and love the Lake Maps made for HB units. A shame Skeeter has gone back to Lowrance units in new boats.

THe Lowrance HDS Touch Units are absolutly superior to HB. I've had a HB 1197 and it was very good but not compared to the Gen 2 HDS 12s (haven't seen the Gen 3s). As far as the Lowrance being hard to use, I don't get it. Might get some getting use to, but the Lowrance format is fairly simple and logical.