Alright, I know this has been beat to death, but I gotta make a decision on one of these units for the console. Not trying to start a brawl in here, just hoping for a little feedback, lol.

I have been running HB and like the Lakemaster chip, but am thinking of making the switch. Is the technology the same between lowrance and HB or do the newer Lowrance units have better technology (faster processor, more pixels, etc.)

For you guys running the Lowrance units, any problems with the touch screens so far? Is the Touch 9 similar to the HDS 10 in terms of screen size. Does the map overlay feature help or do you use it much?

Id appreciate any and all feedback on the above units.

thanks in advance.

Thanks for the Pm's, lots of good information, really appreciate it.

I love the map overlay but I use it different than some.

I don't try to read the side image off it, I use it to see what I have covered following contour lines etc to make sure I'm covering what I think I am.

Never had a Touch on the water but been around bukoos of HDS10 and both are great..
Personally I've always looked through hummingbird, great quality and both DSI and SI are excellent.. Great detail and always consistent! I have an 1197 on the bow and a 997 in the console, never had an issue.
Personal opinion I guess, but that's mine.
Not to much in my detail in my post I guess but regardless of buy I think you'll be pleased with the unit..
Hummingbird=Performance.

Lowrance has better sonar and the LSS2 has a better side image picture. Very fast processing, ability to view one Navionics chip on multiple units. I like having the Sirius weather and radio feature. Structure map is a very nice tool. I used it to see side imaging and map on the same screen then I had a separate unit for just sonar. I like all my images to be big to see as much detail as possible. I have not owned a touch screen, but have been with a guide that uses one and he loves it.

I have a 12, I have had two hummingbird guys in the boat with me the past two weekends, there words, "that is the best structure scan pic I have seen." They are running 1198 and 998.

My Skeeter came with Birds. I also owned an 1198. I now have a 9 Touch in my dash and Elite 7 up front.
In all honesty, the birds are easier to navigate thru. But the Lowrance has way better readings on the sonar.

thanks guys for the information.

We have a HDS 12 Touch on our boat. We also have two Gen 2 Eights. If your buying a graph and don't buy the touch your crazy. The new Lowrance HDS touch is amazing... entering waypoints, changing screens... changing from downscan to side scan is so incredibly easy. It's like having an Ipad on your boat.
The new HDS down and sidescan detail is also markedly better than the Gen2. If you buy the touch it has the HDS built in... all you have to do is buy the new HDS structurescan transducer.
If your going to upgrade go ahead and spend the extra on the touch... you can send me a pm and thank me later!

On a side note for all the lowrance guys, Go to menu then settings then pic the sonar option, when you get there make sure that you choose the shallow water option! This will make your structure scan and your 2d sonar read in much more detail!!! Do it and its a whole new world down there. Just a friendly tip!! Have fun and tight lines...Ron