Lowrance HDS 5 or Garmin 531?

[FISHER ED]

Looking to upgrade to a locator/GPS combo and have been looking at both the Lowrance HDS 5 and the Garmin 531. Both look real good but was wondering what your opinions are out there for those who are familiar with either unit. To me, it seems like Lowrance has the edge when it comes to locators while Garmin may have a little better GPS systems, but that's just my thoughts.

With the cost of both units, I want to make the right decision the first time because it's too expensive to get the wrong one, if there is such a thing.

Thanks in advance for tour thoughts.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Humminbird 788?

[croixflats]

I have the Garmin 531 and absolutely love it. The colors are great and the technology has been here longer than the HDS 5. Never had an issue with the unit. Personally Garmin is a better unit as for being user freindly and reliability and graphics. When you buy the unit its ready to go no hooking up to a computer looking for updates to make it run properly.

That being said, Garmin focuses more off shore and deep water for their features they offer. Take for instance their cool 3D fisheye and mariner eye view there are only 29 lakes in Mn on the lakemaster charts that the feature works or you have to buy the G2vision map software for the big lakes like LOW, Rainy or Superior and those are spendy. And Garmin does not accept Navionics.

Lowrance on the other hand offers more features for the inland fisherman but in my opinion you give up a bit on quality and as of lately its been a hit and miss with them.

If you just want a very good sonar with an awesome clear picture with a GPS that is, witch you can get with the 531 called GPS/map 531s, its the way to go. Remember with the weather satellite and satellite imagery you still have to buy a $200 antenna and a subscription to receive them its the same with Lowrance and Hummingbird.

Honestly, though I love My Garmin and thinking of upgrading to a bigger one I would stear you to Lowrance or Hummingbird if your into those features they have and they have some great features. For me I dont want or need those features so I will stick to quality proven.

[Ed Carlson]

Croixflats offers a very fair review of the Garmin 531.

I too am a fan of the Garmin Marine marine line and have yet to see another more user friendly, dependable, and capable sonar/gps line. If you really want to experience state of the art, check out the new 700, 5000, 6000, and 7000 series Garmin marine units once. Hands on test if you can, prepare yourself for goosebumps when you do.

Any weak points in there system are in my view only relate to mapping availability, and that has improved greatly in the past few years.

The enhanced BlueChart g2 Vision and Vision mapping formats are amazing on the waters they are available. As the availability grows and more Vision compatible lakes are added to LakeMaster mapping and Garmin g2 Vision maps, it will be beyond impressive. I am very happy with the LakeMaster cards in the units I use now.

Garmin has turned it's interest inland now, so once they set there eye on something, it gets done. So I anticipate some big leaps in mapping to show up soon. They do not release anything until it is well proven, tested, and supported. Updates are added with enhancements in mind, rarely to fix overlooked bugs.

I would look at them with your other sonar/GPS options, and feel what is good for you.

[PierBridge]

I just love my older Garmin GPS units. Rock solid and still kicking nearly 20 years later.

[croixflats]

I to am very happy with the lakemaster software for the unit. In fact I just recieved my new 2010 CD rom lakemaster software for my unit and Garmin hand held. Prety darn cool stuff. The CD rom lets you view maps on your computer via the disk and create your waypoints and routs on the computer then you can transfer them to your unit or card.

The CD rom software lets you create up to 2 differant map cards, one card for 2 seperate units. Like I am doing is making one for my GPS sonar for the boat and one for my GPS/map 76 handheld.

Still learning what the software can do and its easy to navigate through it all.

Also the software can be used with Google earth in conjunction. Have not gotten that far yet. And I think you can print out maps you have made.

I dont think Lowrance or Hummingbird has this software for their units like this.

Many things to consider, good luck. What ever you purchase chances are you will be happy with what you decide on.

[FISHER ED]

Thanks for the replies so far. I am leaning toward the Garmin as I have had very good luck with my 240 over the past 10 years. Have any of you guys used your units in your vehicle for winter fishing? If so, does it receive a good signal while traveling? I want to use mine during the winter and especially during duck season to mark hunting fields and road turns since they are so hard to see at 4am and your eyes are barely open yet

I plan on getting a Lakemaster chip or CD for whatever unit I decide so I should be good on mapping.

Thanks again.

[croixflats]

I thought about ice fishing with it but never tried it. I just invested in a hand held, spendy way to go but I had the cash at the time and much more portable.

And now Garmin is coming with some new great hand helds. Arrrg wheres that cash when I need it.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I sure wish Lakemaster would update their PC software to 2010. It is still 2008

[croixflats]

I sure wish Lakemaster would update their PC software to 2010. It is still 2008

For Garmin 2010 came out June 28. I ordered it on June 25 and it showed up today july 10. I dont know what they added I just wanted to get the cdrom version.

[Ed Carlson]

Thanks for the replies so far. I am leaning toward the Garmin as I have had very good luck with my 240 over the past 10 years. Have any of you guys used your units in your vehicle for winter fishing? If so, does it receive a good signal while traveling? I want to use mine during the winter and especially during duck season to mark hunting fields and road turns since they are so hard to see at 4am and your eyes are barely open yet

I plan on getting a Lakemaster chip or CD for whatever unit I decide so I should be good on mapping.

Thanks again.

For vehicle based applications of a marine GPS unit a roof mount GPS receiver may be needed for best accuracy. They are reasonable, Gander and Overton's had the receivers on clearance in some stores...very good receivers. With a handheld GPS or a Nuvi's, no problem with acquisition of satellites or accuracy in vehicles, but if you do find you require one for your application, Garmin has a discreet roof mount GPS receiver available for the handheld units.

A suggestion for you on your hunting applications of your GPS unit. You can run NDTRAX and MNTRAX data cards in Garmin units...and they are the cats whiskers man for the hunter. Check out the MTTRAX, NDTRAX and MNTRAX once on what they will offer you. Very reasonable in price too.