Side imaging- Lowrance or a Bird

[Ron Don]

This topic always opens up a can or worms. I think its basically a Ford vs Chevy type question. Im trying to make up my mind between a few units.

One is Humminbird 999ci hd si. One thing going for it is the ability to Link to my IPilot. But as of now that's not possible here since Lakemaster only has mapping for 2 lakes in LA and neither are ones I fish. Im sure one day they will map more lakes here but no telling when!

Lowrance HDS 8 is the other im really considering. Ive seen this one in action and its impressive. Ive never seen the hummingbird tho. Lowrance is running a $300 rebate on these units making it that much sweeter. Ive considered the Touch 7.

Im sure I would be totally happy with either one. But dang its a hard choice!

 

[toadfrog]

No help here . My fish always come to the surface to get away from the dynamite .

 

[Jig Man]

Lowrance and don't look back...

 

[plateboater]

Been on Lowrance for 10 years......I run HD12 console and bow. Look at new Elite HD 7...new technology. Or go with Dragon Fly by Raymarine. Both Elite HD 7 and Raymarine is going into new technology on how "pinging" works. Better pic more clarity. I would have a 14ft boat with the best electronics and 9.9hp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All about hunting with electronics. Took me one hour to find them this morning with side scan and then going back over with down scan to pin them down. I hunt now more than ever for crappies with my HD's. Kinda like deer hunting in the forest but there is the spot in the spot!

 

[Bucko]

I run only humminbird. ilink with ipilot is awesome. I actually have a 787 side image unit for sale. I upgraded to bigger screen.

 

[Ron Don]

Generally what the majority say is the hummingbirds SI is better and the lowrance DI is better. Other than that hummingbirds customer service is great and not so much for lowrance. Hey plate you should check out the Onyx or whatever u call it. Has it all. I think they fixed most of the bugs with it.

 

[Pup]

There is some pretty good reading under the 'sonar' category over at Big Indiana Bass if you'd like to find out a bit about a Humminbird 798ci HD SI unit. Covers basic operation and installation.

Start here and work backwards: http://www.bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/depthfinders/page/3

Then, move forward.

 

[plateboater]

RD....I will check it out!

 

[papaperch]

I would personally opt for the Humminbird. My main two reasons customer service and the 360 View accessory. You may not want the 360 now but you will in the future. So the up grade option is there. Lowrance answer to the 360 "spot scan " or something like that even the Lowrance guys say it is a flop.

Also you may want to consider the 998C HD or the 1198 C. Right now Cabelas is sellin the 998 for slightly south of 1200.

Which ever route you take it will continue to cost you money ( trust me I know ). Once the initial resistance to high priced units is overcame the flood gates open. I now have an 1198 and an 899 ethernet linked with 360 view and the Ilink terrova. I dare say my electronics are worth more than my boat.

 

[Bucko]

I would personally opt for the Humminbird. My main two reasons customer service and the 360 View accessory. You may not want the 360 now but you will in the future. So the up grade option is there. Lowrance answer to the 360 "spot scan " or something like that even the Lowrance guys say it is a flop.

Also you may want to consider the 998C HD or the 1198 C. Right now Cabelas is sellin the 998 for slightly south of 1200.

Which ever route you take it will continue to cost you money ( trust me I know ). Once the initial resistance to high priced units is overcame the flood gates open. I now have an 1198 and an 899 ethernet linked with 360 view and the Ilink terrova. I dare say my electronics are worth more than my boat.

it's a slippery slope! but worth it if you ask me. makes prefishing for a tournament way easier! you can scan the lake for structure, mark it, then go over it again for further inspection. too cool!

 

[Ron Don]

Just ordered a 999. Probably shouldn't have a company card! Yall hiring?

 

[StumpHunter]

That is awesome Ronny! I got my new unit installed but have not been able to take the boat out. My right arm has blood clots from my elbow down to my hand, because of a IV I had in my hand last week! Looks like I stuck my arm in a wasp nest.......

I look forward to seeing some pics from the unit soon

 

[moswampy]

Let me know how you like the 999 that is the unit that I would prefer to purchase


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ron Don]

Ronnie it was a hard choice but since I spent the extra 300 on the I pilot link I figured I might as get the bird to go with it. I'm sure one day or year Lakemaster will map LA. I think following the contour will be useful pulling cranks.

 

[smalljaw]

I'm a little late with this thread but I think you made the right choice Ron Don, my buddy is a die hard Lowrance user but he is getting a bird for his next unit. The big reason is what has been discussd here already, the customer service, his unit is 3 years old and it needs to be serviced but Lowrance won't do it unless he agrees to a complete refurbish which would cost around $250 to $350. We have a mutual friend that made the switch a long time ago and had 1 problem with his first unit and even though it was 4 years old they serviced it for a minimal charge, I think he paid $50 plus shipping, something he said Lowrance won't do on a unit more than 2 years old. If it was just a few friends I would not bank on it but I've read on a number of bass forums were guys are switching to bird because of poor customer service by Lowrance, it is one of the reasons they now have Raymarine in the freshwater game so not to have guys switching to bird. I never knew until this year that Raymarine is part of Lowrance or vice versa but the two are connected somehow.