hds 8 or humminbird 998c si

[pmedic]

Time to upgrade the electronics on my boat. Now the big question. Lowrance hds 8 on the console, hds 7 on the bow/// or humminbird 998c si on the console and 898c on the bow.

I have tried to research these units. I like the hds 2d with larger screens and higher pixel count but am a little hesitant due to the bugs the hds units have had. Lowrance also appears to have better (only slightly) downscan images. The other hang up is the poor service history of Lowrance.

The humminbird units appear to be solid units with first class customer service. I have always been a Lowrance man but am wondering if it is time to make the switch to humminbird.

Humminbird or Lowrance..........Lowrance or Humminbird.....any opinions or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

[JohnMickish]

Make the switch, I did and couldn't be happier. My Humminbird units work every time in any water, period. Now with that being said there are many, many people 100% happy with their Lowrance units, and yes, there are some areas where Lowrance has the edge, it's 'Bird for me because I just want it to work every time I turn it on.

[bassNspear]

go with the bird. Awesome stuff, and they are so much easier backing up there product, or getting hold of someone over the phone

[Northlander]

I would also go with the bird. Lowrances customer service will have to get way way way better for me to ever go back.

[Shorelunch]

I have a new HDS 5 and 7 and have been very happy. Some guys in our league have had problems with theirs but customer service took care of them.

[PerchJerker]

I think both are good units. I use both brands quite a bit and I like both brands quite a bit.

There are a lot of people who like to complain about Low customer service, but I can tell you that through our business we call both Low and HB customer service quite frequently, and for the last few months it is almost always quicker and easier to get ahold of Low than HB. Both companies do a good job of taking care of their current units that are still in warranty. There are a lot of complaints out there about the way Low deals with units that are discontinued and/or out of warranty, so that may be a concern to you.

Whether you go with 2 HDS units and a StructureScan module, or go with the 998c SI and the 898c SI (both side imaging units), the total price will be about the same. If you don't want SI at your bow it would be cheaper to go with HB and an 858 instead of the 898. If you do want side imaging at your bow, Lowrance does a better job of sharing more info between multiple units, which may or may not be important to you.

Not sure if any of that helps or not. You can check out all these units and prices on our HSOforum at the link below if you wish. Good luck with your decision.

[Nick Kuhn]

You get side imaging with the bird which is a huge help (it'll cost extra on Lowrance). You won't miss any structure with it. I had no problem picking up what has to have been an anchor rope last weekend. Anything bigger will be that much easier to find.

[MN Mike]

Looks like word is coming out from ICast, Humminbird has full networking coming soon and more new models for next year.

I've never had to call Humminbirds customer service but I have emailed them a couple times and they have been VERY prompt on their replies, usually just a few minutes during ' working ' hours.

I made the switch to Humminbird a couple winters ago and I've been very pleased with their product.

Mike

[JohnMickish]

One more major plus for Humminbird is that they will fix their units for many, many years after it's out of production, and you can go to their HSOforum and it will give you a flat price to get it repaired. Lowrance dosen't do that.

[Ed Carlson]

Since Hummingbird won it's patent challenges against Lowrance in court, one has to wonder what may happen with the future of the Lowrance side scan?

Back to the drawing board maybe? Hard to say how that will shake out just yet?

If I had to choose between the two today, it would be the 998c si.

[Shack]

Dave @ Pro fishing supply is Top Notch at anything & everything fishing & electronic. His store looks pretty nice down in Waconia also.

Also "Top Notch" IMO is Humminbird. I have been using them for my entire fishing life/hobby. Have not had one unit fail yet. Bought SI out of the starting gate for the 2008 season and can not saying anything but positive. Very hard to do for a "first" production run of anything, much less anything electronic and software related!

They have their microprocessors soldered down tight over @ Humminbird!

[kg2]

Since Hummingbird won it's patent challenges against Lowrance in court, one has to wonder what may happen with the future of the Lowrance side scan?

Back to the drawing board maybe? Hard to say how that will shake out just yet?

If I had to choose between the two today, it would be the 998c si.

Has the verdict come in yet? I haven't heard or seen a press release or anything official yet.

[MuskieJunkie]

I vote bird. I use to be a lowrance guy and have since made the switch.

[pmedic]

Thanks for everyones feedback.....sounds like the bird is the way to go.

[harvey lee]

I was a Lowrance user for many years. The last 2 units I purchased from them were nothing but trouble and their CS was as bad as their product. They may now be better but I will never return to Lowrance for any of their product line the way I was treated like so many others.

I switched to the Birds and have 2 units in the boat with the SI. I can say nothing short of great for these units with no issues at all. I have heard their CS is very good but I cannot verify that as I have never needed to contact them once at all.

I have both units tied together in the boat with no issues there either.

So from my expierences in the past years, it will be the Bird line all the way.

[Matt C]

My HDS 5 n 7 are SKA inmo. (with some tweekin help from PJ) Shortly will be putting my 7 on the bow and a 10 at my helm.

Another imo. If I have issues I hit my boat dealer, they rock. swap out n go. So I never have had to talk to LW CS. Just keep adding updates as they come in....hence usin the small town dealer for all and skipping the big box save ya a buck...but thats a different subject