Okay y'all, this is coming from a Lowrance guy...

I'm thinking about switching teams this spring. I have always been impressed with the chart and the sonar resolution on the Humminbird. My question, in the context of catfishing, which line is right for what we do? Helix, Solix or Apex. I am leaning towards dropping Helix as it is their entry level unit. The Solix is 1200 x 800 resolution while the Apex is full HD at 1920 x 1080. The smallest display size for the Apex is 13", the smallest...

Any of you used the Apex? Any of you upgrade from the Solix to the Apex? A Solix 12" is $3200.00. A 13" Apex is $4300.00 Is the full HD resolution worth another $1100.00? I am thinking the Solix would be awesome for what I want and how I use it...

What say you TFF?

I don't have an Apex, but have used Helix and Solix. Personally I like the Solix touchscreen. As for the increased definition, I don't think you will be able to tell the difference because the screens are so small.

Would be tough for me to go back to HB. Always have ran lowrance, but added a HB when the original side/down imaging came out with a 998c. Unit was great and I used it for 10 years or so. Went to a 12" Carbon this past year and can't believe how clearer and crisper the images are. I know the 998 and the new units are a long ways away from each other with technology, but If you are already running Lowrance why change?

I would be interested to see what the catfish look like on those Hummingbirds. I know the sonar bounce back is from their heads as they don't have scales, but are they a different color or just 'big blobs'?

I must admit that over 4 grand for a fish finder blows my mind, but I am betting those bass guys with their Livescope thingies no doubt pay more than that.

Well, you might be saving me some money... Thanks for the input...

Here is what channel cat look like on my 5 year old Helix 9 . I don’t have the fancy transducer either

A Humminbird graph set up by Slade Daughtery is a good way to go economically

Here are some pics my buddy put on Facebook when he was on Palestine the other day. His is a Helix also

Solix

A man of few words Chad, I like it...

Solix. I'm loving my 15. Used a Helix 10 G2 for idk how many years and loved it as well. I have not used an Apex, so I can't really comment on that.

Tim,

What trolling motor are you using? You use 1 sonar at the helm or do you run one at bow also? Your xducer, you mount them on the Transom or shoot through the hull and/or run on the trolling motor? Yes these are nosey questions, you have always been one that has shared info with me in the past, and as always you can tell me to quit being so nosey lol, I will too.

Just always interesting to actually visit with guys that use this equipment as opposed to guys that sell the stuff. You sir, are not only someone that uses this stuff, but you obviously know how really well. I feel very privileged just to be able to visit with you guys about things on this amazing forum. Thanks for sharing any and all you have!

I am in the middle of up grading my electronic equipment also, just nothing like what your looking at. It's always great for me to follow what others use and how they have them rigged.

Hey Rowdy... thanks for the kind words, although I'm not sure I deserve them, lol.

I have a Minn Kota Power Drive 24 volt with iPilot. It is not networked. I have a Lowrance Elite FS9 with a transom mount triple shot transducer and a Lowrance Hook2 7" with no transducer that I just use for the chart. The chart is bad, really bad. It basically shows blue for water and tan for land and I have been in plenty of places where it showed me on land while I was scanning close to shore. The detail of the Humminbird chart is so much better. I don't know if I just need a new chip or if I need to change to get the detail and accuracy I've seen in other places...

Honestly the Elite FS 9 does everything I need it to do. It works fine, I just want a better chart...

Defiantly sounds like you need a better chip for the graphs. Which chip are you currently running?

Some cats mixed in with stripers on a solix. I run a solix and apex and fars as detail they are very similar. Probably more noticeable difference in detail for those using mega live.