look out humminbird

[ikeslayer]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 20, 2009

Steve Wegrzyn

Navico

LOWRANCE ANNOUNCES SIDE-VIEWING SONAR OPTION

FOR NEW HIGH DEFINITION SYSTEMS

Innovative HDS Multifunction Displays to Offer Advanced Fishfinding Technology Tulsa, Okla. – Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics since 1957 and GPS navigational systems since 1992, announced today, at the Bassmaster Classic in Shreveport, Louisiana, its introduction of a new side-viewing sonar technology option for its powerful line of HDS (High Definition System) multifunction displays. Available in 2009, the Lowrance sideviewing sonar technology depicts the underwater world of bottom and structure in photo-like presentations.

Presenting an advanced new dimension in bottom and structure viewing, Lowrance side-viewing sonar delivers the same legendary total-sonar performance that anglers have come to expect from Lowrance. In addition, the side-viewing sonar works in tandem with existing high-definition 2D sonar displays – powered by the built-in HDS Broadband Sounder.

A simple, cost-efficient add-on module, the new side-viewing technology is easily networked

using Lowrance Ethernet connections, allowing anglers to enjoy the Lowrance sonar advantage on all HDS displays mounted on their boat.

Designed by the leader in recreational fishfinder innovation, the new Lowrance side-viewing sonar option is welcome news for serious and pro anglers, as well as those involved in

underwater search and recovery, marine archeology and marine ecology sciences.

Full details, pricing and a projected 2009 availability date for the new Lowrance side-viewing

supplemental HDS sonar technology option is expected to be released at the American Sportfishing Association’s ICAST trade show in Orlando, Florida in July.

[Cecil]

Have heard from a Lowrance contact that price to add onto HD unit is about $200.

[tritonman]

Didn't sound like anything was set in stone yet as far as pricing. To bad we have to wait till July for them.

[RiverBassGuy]

Word on the marine electronics street is that HUMMINBIRD has been waiting for Lowrance to release their version of the side imaging so that they can unveil an even better side imaging program. Too bad for Lowrance, it sounds like they are getting left in the dust again....

[Deitz Dittrich]

Competition is exciting. I have seen screen shots from the Lowrance unit, and have to say, I dont see it as any better yet.. Bird just released updates to thier units.. Lowrance from what it sounds like will have to pay royalties to bird for the pattent on the ducer.. but I could be wrong.

[olski]

All I can say is don't forget ALL the issues with the units that have been around for a while. i.e. LCX 27's not reading bottom or GPS not responding. I will give them the fact that being able to read both chips is nice, but if not for that I am way more pleased with the birds. Deitz, I think it must be something like that because from what I get is the patend is all about the ducer, and being able to mount it to the boat. As far as price I have heard every thing from $200.00 to $600.00. S I guess it's a waiting game.

[ps70mlf]

Ive seen some pictures of the side imaging lowrances and they look about the same so far. Im gonna run them both side by side on my boat hopefully. That will be the true test. i love my 797c and just upgraded to the 997c

[kg2]

Where does some of this stuff come from? HB isn't collecting royalties from Lowrance. Lowrance must have found a way around HB's patents. (Or else there will be a suit.)

[Nick Kuhn]

Where does some of this stuff come from? HB isn't collecting royalties from Lowrance. Lowrance must have found a way around HB's patents. (Or else there will be a suit.)

It's not exactly rocket science. The biggest thing is how to process the return signal, not how to transmit and still get a return. My guess is the main limitation in the past of having large high resolution and side imaging has not so much been the transducer, but finding a chip that can process the all the info and still not overheat (remember water-tight units can't have the cooling most things with significant processing power do have).

[canobeans]

How do u guys afford these? Sounds like i need a new job or something.

[Charley]

I also heard they were having to pay royalties and HB is coming out with a new version.

[ricqik]

competition........... always taking turn one upping the other.

[prov1900]

Is Lowrance going to upgrade their customer service as well?

[TonkaBass]

lol, they used to be really good. I have never had an issue. Not the case anymore so I hear.

[prov1900]

I should clarify my slam. When you call, the hold times are astronomical. The other part, which I will lump into their customer service, is their "alleged" refusal to service older units. Older as in 3 to 5 year old units. I like the product (when it works) because I like the layouts and the graphics and the key functions.

[Smallie]

I couldn't agree more about customer service from Lowrance for the "LACK OF SERVICE"!You call and get put on ETERNAL hold. I won't go into details but had problems with 2 of there units last year. The end result was they sent me my money back in September. I will be on board with the Bird family.

[Central Bassman]

WOW....i have worked with Lowrance on a few problems that i have had over the last few years and there customer service was really good. Hopefully i don't have to call anymore if there CS is going down hill.

[RiverBassGuy]

I got the chance to personally witness hundreds of unhappy Lowrance customers in 2008, and I'll be recommending Humminbird from here on out.

[Deitz Dittrich]

** Hey guys, lets not turn this into a Lowrance bashing thread.. **

[champion198elite]

Geez Ike, look what ya got started now!!

[Go2fish]

The Lowrance 332C revolutionized picking a lake apart. The HD stuff looks awesome and adding the Side Imaging onto that should be pretty cool.....but I bought the 997SI and it is freaking awesome.

I have never been impressed with any customer service, it is irritating to be in the situation to need to talk to them at all.

[RiverBassGuy]

** Hey guys, lets not turn this into a Lowrance bashing thread.. **

HaHa what I meant to say was Lowrance are awesome!

[prov1900]

Sorry about my wayward comments. I guess I was "fishing" to see if they had improved. I know my experiences with their CS was a few years back and was slow. Then I heard it got worse and that was a couple of years back. So I assume that they must have changed something by now, in a positive direction.