I know i'm going to get a lot of loyalty comments on this, but here goes. I have heard Humminbird has the better side scan, Garmin has less availability of add on maps but Lowrance is the easiest to use... What do you guys think about the pros and cons of each? I really only fish a handful of lakes, and just need to find the fish!

The guys that sell them say Lowrance, real happy with mine.

I would say it would depend on the setup you are looking for. If you are going for 2 units then I would say go with Humminbird because the cost can be lower than Lowrance for networked units. If you are looking for one unit to do everything then go with Lowrance for ease of use. I have 2 Humminbird units myself (helix models) and love them but there is no picking and choosing of views, you get what the factory setup (but there are a lot of views to choose from).

Garmin is a good option too if you are just looking an out of the box (no need to add map cards) unit.

Lowrance if I had 1 unit, Garmin if I had a second unit (for mapping). I'd absolutely add a map card to it.

None of them are real hard to use. I think people get use to operating one system so the others seem hard but they're just a little different. Each brand has a plus or minus in certain categories. I haven't ran garmin but have a decent amount of time with lowrance and birds. My $.02, I can dial in a bird better because they have a few more adjustments for imaging and such so in the aspect I like them more. Lowrance(hds)is easier networking, shares maps, shares sonars, and you can make your own views. The humminbird onix can do all of that though but that model seems to be going away and there might be one replacing it soon. All in all, it's totally personal preference and each one can find fish

I am currently running Humminbird Helix 10s and a 12 and cant say enough about how much I like those units, but that being said everyone is different and may like or use different options or features from each unit. In my opinion, they are all great units, and I think spending time goingthrough each rather it be on a buddys boat, or in front of them at a Bass Pro or West Marine is the best solution for picking the one that is right for you, if price is not a factor. There is also some really good videos on youtube if you have an idea of what models from each brand you would be interested in. That being said I agree with comments above about if price is a factor, you can link 2 Humminbird Helix units together for a lot cheaper than you can two compatible Lowrance units; Garmin limits you to only their mapping while Lowrance and Humminbird each give you a couple different options. Lowrance lets you completely customize your screen views, while Humminbird has a ton already programmed to choose from that can be saved to the 3 favorites buttons on the screen. I know you will get comments about whatever someone owns is the best much like a chevy vs ford comparison, but really you can go wrong with any of them, a lot will have to do what options you are looking for and what options the chartplotters in your price range have to offer. Just my opinion...

My 2 cents. I leave tomorrow for Novi, MI to work the GARMIN booth demonstrating their electronics. This is the5th Season doing this. Without a DOUBT one of the biggest concerns people have is their ability or lack of to operate their electronics. GARMIN is by far and away the easiest and very intuitive to operate. I've seen this 100's of times! Their reliability and Customer Service also is second to NONE!

I ran Humminbird for about 5 years and wanted lowrance the whole time because that's what most of my buddies have. Now I've got all lowrance and I've had to do more troubleshooting than I ever thought I'd have to do! Although the majority of my problems stemmed from bad transducers, bad wiring etc, I would say hummingbird is easier to use. And I like their sidescan more.

You can get their 899, 999 and 1099 series for really cheap right now too. I'd love to get one for my in-dash mount.

What about Raymarine produces? They look great on the fishing shows on TV and also look easy to setup.

I have both, helix 10 for side imaging , and a lowrance elite 7 for down and sonar. Humminbird has great side imaging but the sonar is no no good down imaging is ok. But the lowrance is great when it comes to di and sonar! Huge difference

Buddy has a Raymarine--it's chirp downscan is incredible.

At this point, with the fierce competition in the sonar market; all of the brands are releasing excellent products.

I asked a guy on lake fork that everyone knows well for setting up graphs. I wont name him but Im sure you all know him and he told me that he liked the Humminbird's better. I personally think HB's are much easier to use and like their side imaging better, but I do think that Lowrance has some better qualities in their down imaging. In a perfect world I would have Lowrance down image and HB use and side image all in one unit!

I guess it depends on what you want most out of your graph. The rule of thumb Lowrance is much better on 2D sonar. The Humminbird is much better on side imaging. I think Garmin is somewhere around Humminbird on SI and DI. I use 2D Sonar with DI 95 precent of the time looking for deep fish. I fish mainly one lake so I already know what is out their most of the time so I do not necessarily need SI. I use SI when I am not catching fish just to go look. I know others use theirs differently them me so you need to use what fits your way of fishing. I think in a prefect world I would have a Lowrance on bow and both Humminbird and Lowrance on dash. The mapping is better with Humminbird also but not by a lot with the SD cards for Lowrance. just my .02

You will get use to working what ever brand you get in short order so I wouldn't base my buying on whether I can operate it now. IMHO