Humminbird or Lowrance - need opinions

[NEANGLER]

I have always been a Lowrance guy but with trying to get service and trying to get my Global 4000 map fixed(for sale if anyone is interested ) I am now looking at Hummingbird for a sonar /GPS combo. I have heard from some friends that Lowrance has had some issues with the newer units and service is next to impossible(agree). I am looking at either the Hummingbird DI 596 combo or the Lowrance Elite 5 DSI combo. the Lowrance is $100 bucks higher for less resolution. Anyone have any experiance with either of these units or with either companies combo units in general.

Thanks!!!!!

[FM_Mike]

If Lowrance is as bad as you say it is, I would diffenetly NOT be looking at Lowrance.

From the experiences you say above, you would be a fool(No personal attack) to go with Lowrance.

Mike

[eyebjim]

I was a lowrance guy for years. I also got tired of the poor service and obsoleting models that are only a couple years old so I went to humminbird. a fews years ago when I was in the market for a new sonar I got a 797si and have been happy ever since. Humminbird CS is great as is their web support updates etc. They also support units for more than 2 years, much more, unlike Lowrance.

[NoWiser]

10 years ago, I would have laughed it someone told me I'd be using a Humminbird someday. Then the problems began. My Lowrance would freeze up on a screen and no matter what I did (turning off, disconnect power, etc..) none of the buttons would work. After a few hours it might decide to work again for awhile, but until then I was stuck on whatever screen it wanted me to be on, so I'd be without sonar or map. My dad bought a new Lowrance shortly after, and had nothing but trouble with his. We would end up fishing a weekend with nothing but our handheld units because his graph refused to work. Another friend of ours had tons of problems with yet a newer model yet. It seemed like everyone that had one was frustrated.

So, last spring, my dad and I went in together on an 1197 CSi and bought an extra GPS antenna, transducer, and power cord so we can switch back and forth between boats (if we are both fishing at the same time, we are always fishing together). Wow, what a difference. Its an awesome unit and we didn't have any issues with it all summer. In Canada I could actually find lake trout on the graph in 100 feet of water, drop my jig down, and catch them. Something I had tried for years with Lowrance, but could never confidently mark fish. I couldn't be happier. Unless Lowrance makes some serious changes, I don't see myself ever going back....

[gregg52]

geeeez

this deal keeps coming up

and seems like every thread gets worse and seems like different units from lowrance that are junk

i cant believe a company would just go to he11 like that its a shame

would you think sales would hafta be way down

theres no way after reading all this would i even think about lowrance

i got stung once thats enuff

i see alot of talk bout hummingbird

not much about garmin

i will be buying one or the other for sure

[PerchJerker]

There's a couple really recent threads on the same topic

Here's One

Here's Another

Have fun reading

In my opinion, the problems that most guys bring up are on old, out-dated units (but they weren't all outdated units when these guys had their problems though). Most of the stories of customer service problems are old stories too, their customer service has come a long ways in the last year. But if those problems are a concern for you then you should look at the HB units.

[gregg52]

i said this before mine was 07

and i except a 1000$$ worth of equipment to work longer than 3 summers

not 3 years...3 summer which isnt even a year

it really never worked from the get go

[Esox_Magnum]

I stayed with Lowrance even knowing all the bad PR, love my HDS and issue free yet after a few hundred hours of use.

[prov1900]

There is just something about the Lowrance mapping (layout/look) that I like better. Plus, it ia all I have ever had, so I got used to the buttons/controls. In the future, provided I am very, very financially secure, Raymarine looks pretty darn good.

[jigginjerk]

I just finished going through what you are going through. Was really a though decision. I went with the HB 998si. I was also a lowrance guy for years. Just thought it was time for a change. Now I can't wait to get it out on the water. Hope I made the right choice. Good luck with your decision!

[cjac]

jiggin,

What was your decision point between the 898 and the 998? I'm adding either an 800 or 900 series, and the screen size is the only sticking point or difference between the two. Did you think the 998 size was worth the extra $$$?

Penny for your thoughts.....

[reddog]

Buy what works best for you. They both have pros and cons, but all in all I think they are great units.

The last Lowrance I had was a LCX15. While it was very troublesome out of the box, it worked flawless after they got the software glitches out of it, and I do still use it for GPS at times.

With that said, I jumped ship in March of 08 to a Humminbird 997, primarily because of side imaging. That unit has been bulletproof since I installed , with free software updates (4) since that time to keep it current with the newer models that have come out since.

I now own 5 Humminbirds, a 757, a 787, 2, 997s and an 1197. Every one works great and best of all, they find fish.

[196thDLR]

I, too am looking at these very same units to add to my rig this Spring. After 18 yrs, my old LMS350A gave up the ghost. The GPS module still works but the sonar is wacko. Lowrance really stood behind this unit and the only cost I had was the shipping to Georgia when I had a problem with it six or seven yrs.ago. This looks like the flip of the coin at OT.

[196thDLR]

Sorry guys, it was Tulsa I shipped it too.

[Westsidefishing]

I decided to buy HB 998 after some research. Does anybody know where can I find good deal on this unit. Is it worth waiting for NW sportmans show?

[PerchJerker]

Does anybody know where can I find good deal on this unit.

We've got a good price on it.

If you want, you can check it out at 998c SI at Pro Fishing Supply

[Tator2k]

Wow that's the best price I've seen on the 597. So far this spring.