If so what are your thoughts in relation to performance against comparable Lowrance units. Not looking for a fight here just honest opinions from those that have used both and currently use only 'Birds. Thinking of putting a 798 side imaging and another 'bird on the Bullet. Thanks

I ran a 957c up front before I traded it for two lowrance units. I now run the LCX28cHD up front. I later found out the Universal Sonar 2(minn kota trolling motor) was the cause of why I wasnt seeing all the detail I wanted. I wish I would have never sold it. I have my 997si on the console tuned in to show just as much detail as my lcx28 up on front. I kick myself everytime I put my LCX28c on the boat. The birds are just so much easier to setup, and just overall more user friendly.

Dont get me wrong, Lowrace is a superb product as well- just not my 100% preference. I would trade the LCX28cHD for a 957c if anyone wants to I would much rather have two units I could link up and share waypoints.

the bird is sooooooooo much more user friendly. and the customer service is better, although this is getting away from the topic.

i have an 1197si(platinum navionics) on the console, and an 1157(premium navionics) on the bow, networked with an interlink. i feel that the 'birds are just a better product right now. you're welcome to check out the setup, and i'll walk you through why i made the decision.

and i know you know i'm no prostaffer, i'm just a spare.

Bird is so much more user friendly!!!!!!!!

I may take you up on that Jeff. I really would like to see the deep water operation and I know you get out there off the bank a bit.

i'm 10 minutes from F N S. we can meet up and go to one of the local lakes and i'll give you the walkthrough. if i recall, t redington is a HB user, he may be one to talk to as well, esp. if you decide to go that route.

if you don't still have my #, just let me know and i'll pm it to you.

I fish with Tom quite a bit and he is a Lowrance user. Pack got the 1197 on his Ranger so I need to pick his brain. I should still have your number in my phone. Thanks

Mark, the Humminbird is extremely user friendly, I also like the two different navigation screens, that really help me out running (esp at night) Fork.. The only down fall to the HB is the sonar.. Lowrance definately has the upper hand in that department, still though, i'd rather have my HB

I've had both and all running at the same time. Had the 997 on the console along with a 27C and a 25c on the bow. Side imaging was great, but never happy with the 997. Alot of money for a unit that was really not complete to run as a stand alone unit. I think the 797 is more than enough as a back up unit for SI only. really thought that Lowrance Side Scan was going to be on the market about a year ago. Do like my new HDS units, alittle more complicated to use, because of so many new menu features, but the normal everyday features are just as easy to use.

lol I have an eagle and my dad has a 997 si humminbird and I hate the humminbird I mean the sonar doesnt even compare to my eagle in my opinion although after you get the settings figured out and everything the sonar looks terrific and it is alot more user friendly but I just think it still has some work to do but to me I like lowrance/eagle better but for him hes a humminbird guy and has been since like b4 i was born he had a humminbird lol

I have a 798 in the dash. I looked long and hard at the HDS for side imaging comparison but took to the Humminbird when Lowrance delayed the SI. I have no regrets. I plan to put a 788 or another 798 on the front deck so I can share GPS waypoints and already have the interlink for it. I always have been impressed with the Lowrance 2d sonar but for my fishing running straight over the target is not the best way to mark fish. I look for structure and cover that will hold fish and baitfish. Any 2d can mark baitfish.

Once you have the side imaging the 2d is not very important. These days I only use it when running on pad.

2d sonar is equivalent to "Close your eyes and tell me what this is?" SI is the "OK, open your eyes."

I had a Fork guide tell me the Humminbird SI is unbelievable, but the Sonar portion there is no comparison to Lowrance units clarity. I am hanging on and waiting for the SI to come out on for the Lowrance HD units. It was suppose to be out this summer, but the latest I heard was December. They are loosing alot of sales for the slowness in productivity.

Mark, as stated above, and I agree, the down shooter on the SI is not up to the quality of a HD Lowrance units in my opinion.
I'm no expert in the first place, and interpreting sonar to me is an art form after watching some guys that know how to use it. LOL.

For us average Joe's, the Side scanning option is a BIG plus.
I can eliminate a lot of assumed unproductive water quickly.

You can find pond dams and see the direction it's running in one pass, I love that.

Get out and see one for yourself before you buy.. I'd take Jeff up on his offer, going with someone that really knows the unit is with out a doubt, to your advantage..

I have have or had both. I had a Lowrance 522C that I replaced with the HB 997 SI. I have an HB 3D on the bow. I liked the Lowrances GPS better when just using the GPS with the Navioncs chip. I liked the Lowrance 2D sonar only slightly better than the HB 2D but pretty close to a push between the two. The selling point for HB over Lowrance is the side imaging. The HB SI allows you to see things you never saw or knew about. The SI also allows you to move the curser to abjects on the display and way point those objects without having to have them directly under the boat. I have the interlink between my two HB's so all waypoints are shared between the two units. The SI's down side is the size of the transucer, it is huge and is very limiting on where you mount it if you do not get one of the alternate through hull transducers. Because of the location I had to mount the SI transducer and not using a through hull transducer I am not able to use the SI units sonars when the boat is on plain. I just use the GPS display and a flasher when on plain but at idle the SI is amazing. Did you see where a bass fisherman in San Diego found a 60 year old forgotten bomber in the bottom of Lake Otay last week with his HB SI. I fished that lake many times and went over that airplane many times looking at my Lowrance and never saw anything.