Flipping (to) the Bird

[RK]

Hiya -

Starting to think it's time to upgrade my electronics. After having run Lowrance units since - well, I've hardly run anything but - I'm considering switching to Humminbird. The SI units intrigue me a lot, and I like their networking strategy. Plus, frankly, I'm getting fed up with Lowrance since they were acquired by Navico.

So - Humminbird users, talk me into it. Lowrance diehards - talk me out of it...

(thought this might be an interesting discussion...)

Cheers,

RK

[Cecil]

Do it! Do it! Do it! Did I convince you?

[RK]

Hahaha... You didn't convince me on the Humminbird thing, but I looked around for a shot of tequila out of reflex. Flashback to college, apparently.

[TonkaBass]

I also had Lowrance on my boat back when they were the best out there. i know use bird because it is the best out there. There units can read through weeds WAY better than Lowrance, the SI is mint, I dont have mine networked together but there's another plus. I also got used to operating the unit and like it just as much as my old Lowrance. The customer service is very good as well. I haven't talked to anyone upset with their humminbird yet, I cant say that about Lowrance. I really dont think you will be disappointed getting a bird!

[walleye365]

im also fed up with lowrance go with bird im goin to

[Cecil]

Oh well, I tried! I can't weigh-in just yet. Have been a lifelong Lowrance guy but new boat has birds on it. I know that working in retail most of my life (until 2 years ago) I have seen Lowrance dominate in all aspects. That has severely started to swing IMO. Lowrance quality has taken a big hit over the past 4 years and I have rarely seen an issue with birds. I am excited to see what they have to offer and I am guessing I will be pleasantly surprised.

[Larson15]

I "used" to be a lowrance die hard till I got a new boat rigged with humminbirds. Now I wouldnt buy anything but. IMO they are more user friendly, process faster, and have had zero problems so far.

[Juan Grande]

Does anyone run both brands on their boat? I have a Lowrance unit now, but would consider buying a Bird for my second unit. I probably wouldn't flip the coin to swap out the existing Lowrance for a new Hummingbird though. Obviously that would cut out the ability to network them...

[Cecil]

I know a guy that runs both, but not well enough to know which one he prefers.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Not sure I could say anything to sway you one way or another. I can only tell you how happy I am with my Bird.

I flat out love it. Its very easy to see bottom content changes while in 2D(normal) mode. Reads pretty well through weeds, and the SI will blow your mind.

RK for a guy like you, SI would be deadly. Lowrance now also has SI so buying abird is not the selling point it once was with the SI, but I do think its a better unit. With far less problems.

I wish we didnt have this hard water problem right now, Id offer to take you out and see for yourself.

[RK]

Deitz - or other Bird owners: Do you use SI on a trolling-motor mounted transducer, or just on the transom? I'd like to be able to have the SI visible up front, but not lose the 2D for things like drop shotting or vertically jigging walleyes or muskies where I want to see what's right below my feet on the 2D. I know you can have both at the same time but wondering about transducer location.

Really weird looking at a different set of technology after being a Lowrance user for so long. Whole new set of terminology and way of thinking about things...

Thanks for the info guys.

Rob Kimm

[Deitz Dittrich]

I do not use SI on the tmotor.. Only at the transom.. I know a guy who does though. I would just be scared I would knock it off or something on rocks.. and I dont think you get a good pict with it unless you are going in a straightish line, I think if you were turning the tmotor it would give you some messed up images. Just my opinion.

Plus it seems you get the best image if you are going 2-4.5 mph.. which can be tough with a tmot.

[Chris519]

I would love to switch to HB side imaging. But, wow, they are pretty expensive. Deitz, which model do you have?

[Cecil]

D, could you have a switch up front to use the ducer you have in back for SI? Does that make sense? Just like you have one on dash to move between normal ducer and SI, could you have one up front to do same but with SI ducer and normal one on trolling motor? Just a thought... Sounds like a lot of switches!

[olski]

Ok here we go. I to had Lowrance my whole life until 3 years ago when I went through 3 units in 2 weeks and each ran about $1000. When I finally got fed up while pre fishing took about an hour of my day, sat on the deck of my boat in the middle of the lake and was told "I didn't know how to use it." that was it. (mind you I SELL THEM,) and would like to think I have a pretty good under standing of how to use them. As far as knowing your way around a lowrance they have changed the menu enough that it's kind of like learning all over again.

The HB interlink system is very cool and a breeze to deal with and now that Lakemaster is a option I think it is a easy choice. WOW I guess I might have an opinion! HAHA. Cecil as far as the SI on the trolling motor, it is not the best application for it do to the fact that you do need to moving at about 2-6 mph to get a good picture, which to me is a pretty good clip with a trolling motor. the thing to do is interlink your units, idle around, mark waypoints, they show up on the front then go back and pick the apart with your downview.

[RK]

Hiya -

Thanks for the info guys. Starting to really talk myself into it. Now, to sneak it past the BOSS Probably sell my Lowrance units to raise some $ too... I need to have a garage sale.

One other question - I know you can transfer Lowrance trails and waypoints to a Bird. How about icons?

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[bemidjibasser]

To me, the picture on the 2d sonar of the birds look awful compared to the lowrance. Maybe that has changed, not too sure. I have run Lowrance since I have had a boat to use (15 years) and have not had a problem that was more difficult to fix other than getting a new transducer. I currently have an HDS 7 and an LMS 522 igps that both function flawlessly. I will also be purchasing the structure scan this spring and can't wait to play with that! Don't do it RK, use the force to stay away from the dark side!

[Cecil]

I think the switchfire upgrade will help that a lot!

[cjac]

Paging Mr Kimm to the courtesy phone....... I may be able to assist with those Lowrance units of yours. Don't worry about removing any waypoints though....

Bought a Lowrance X28 unit last year and took it back, $1200 should work better than that unit did. I like the Bird units, but I do see the price and screen size as an issue.

[dudewheresmyboat]

I run both, Low 522i and Bird 997. I like the color pallete of the low, but now with birds new software (switchfire) and the new color palletes to choose from, the sonar definition is equivelent if not better than lowrance. My sole purpose of running the Low was for lakemaster, now that birds new software can run Lakemaster-well it looks like I have a lowrance unit for sale. I do enjoy my bird, the menu is easier to go through than the lowrance and the definition is there "NOW". They are two great units but I'm leaning towards Bird.

Why pay another $600 for Lowrance SI when its included with the Birds? Its a no brainer....

[bak2MN]

Lowrance customer service is not good!!!

[NTW]

You'd think that Lowrance is about to see the value in customer service. Maybe the whole deal with Linda Colt has given them more exposure to the voice of the customer and enlightened them a bit. Without knowing the dynamics of their management it is hard to say.

Then there's the question of how quickly the change can be realized...

[cjac]

Thorne Bros has a seminar this Thursday night on "Better Understanding the New Humminbird Units" presented by a Humminbird rep.

Sounds like a great forum to get a lot of these questions answered. I'm not ready to buy myself, but I do think it would be a good listen and still may go and sit in on it.

This is really close to Cecil, I vote he goes and takes notes for the rest of us and reports back on Friday!

[Cecil]

Deal! I didn't know this was happening, but I will try to go!

[polarsusd81]

Cecil,

I was at the Humminbird seminar in early 2009 and it was very informative. For someone looking into getting one, or learning more about their unit, it is a great place to go and have your questions answered. I just wish I could afford a new bird, probably worth more than my boat, but I would like to get a side imaging unit on there some day.

I can try to find a link to the video from the last one.

here it is...