FishEagle VS Lowrance?

[jparrucci]

I have been looking at the FishEagle Fish Elite 642C gps/depth finder combo, and I'm looking for some feedback as far as performance issues compared to the Lowrance 522c which is supposed to be a junk nightmare. I am under the impression that the FishEagle is basically the same thing, but "cheaper", in this case less power, as this model is only 1500 watts peak. Money is an issue, so this is a very attractive model to me. Should I hold out and buy a more expensive combo unit like a hummingbird or the new lowrance HDS 5, or should I grab one of these on the cheap while they are still around? I won't be buying one if they have had the same issues as the 522c has. Any word if these things are more reliable then the 522? Thanks for the help!

[jparrucci]

I should mention I have about $700 in gift cards between 2 of the big box stores, and I really want a gps/finder combo unit (especially if it uses my Lakemaster I already own) and a trolling motor with an autopilot on it for a 14 foot boat.

[Esox_Magnum]

If you got it got with the HDS 5, I have run and still run Eagles and never had a problem with them yet. Current one is a Fishstrike 1000C

[jparrucci]

I would love the HDS 5, but if I go with that or the Hummingbird, I think I may have to pass on the new trolling motor, and I really want an autopilot (fish with the gf a lot, makes it much easier on me) My biggest concern is that the 642c has the same issues as the 522c does.

[Bob Schroden]

The 522 had lots of issues with not reading in shallow water and weedy areas.

The latest update from Lowrance fully corrected the issues with this problem. The problem was in the software in all the LMS and LCX series units. Once the latest updates were done, these units work much better.

Eagle units require different software that Lowrance, just make sure the unit you buy has the latest software download.

I have the HDS 5 and have been happy with the unit with no issues at all.

Hummingbird current units are not compatiable with Lakemaster chips.

I hear for the 2010 models, they will be compatable with Lakemaster.

[Borch]

I have the fisheagle elite 640c and have had very good luck with it thus far. I picked it up at Pro Fishing Supply in September and put it through it's paces this fall.

[Twins 57 Fan]

I own two Lowrance 520's. Nothing but good things to say. The 520 is the same as a 522 but with an external puck. I run two off of my boat, one up front and one on the console, and my brother runs two off of his boat. The best money we have ever spent. I sold my Eagle to buy the lowrance, was not impressed with eagle.

[BoxMN]

We have 642c and it works. Same shallow weedy reading probs at times, and it gets frustrating. I had done all the updates, and also tried to go BACK a version to get rid of the issues. No luck, and they stopped updating software for the 642, unlike the 522.

With that said, it works and the lakemaster chips works great in it. I would recommend NOT updating to the latest software if you are using Lakemaster, but updating if you use Navionics (or you can't zoom in all the way).

We got ours for under $500 two or three years ago, so it was worth it. If you have the extra ca$h I say go for HD or HB, but otherwise the 642 will work. BTW - the internal antennae has worked flawlessly, that was one thing I worried about, but no probs there.

Good luck.

[jparrucci]

I picked one up from one of the big name box stores on clearance for under $400 with tax and shipping! I've been waiting and waiting and waiting, and finally decided to go with this model. I don't fish in the weeds or shallow very often fishing walleyes on Lake Vermilion, so I don't think I have to worry a whole lot about the major issue everyone else has. Next up is a bow mount with an autopilot. I wish they made smaller bow mounts with the autopilot, as a 55 lb is still overkill for my 14.5 ft boat. I guess you can't complain about too much power, but I would have liked to save some cash and get one that had like 42lbs thrust (the 32lb bow mount works just fine now). Next question is, how do I make it so I can use this unit in both the back, and the bow if possible?

[BoxMN]

Good deal on the 642 for sure! You will like it.

Your best bet is to get another x-ducer with a mount and out it on the troll motor. This unit has x-ducer that has power and x-ducer cable built together, I just got one for about $59 online as it works for the 642 and the Eagle 480 series locators, which I also have.

Then just wire it up and just unplug and move it depending upon where you want it located. I think it would cost you more to try to network it with a switch, etc.

[solbes]

Might be a stretch, but you could get lucky looking for a used 55# AP with Universal Sonar. Then all you would need to do is buy a $15 adapter to hook up your new sonar up front. Better to have a separate power source up there though. You'll get interference if you power your sonar with your trolling battery.