LWinches
02-27-2009, 02:36 PM
The more I use this unit the better I like it. I'll have to revise one of my previous comments about visibility of what's on the screen. After experimenting with the 14 or so color palettes available, you should be able to find a combination you like.
Overall strengths in no particular order:
1-Ability to show a clutter free display.
2-Improved visibility closer to the bottom.
3-Wide cone angle in shallow water works very well.
4-Ability to eliminate interference from other fishfinders
5-Adjustable ping speed. This is available on all Lowrances but I list it since it is absent on Hbirds.
Weaknesses:
1-Menu systems are awkward. This is not a Lowrance or HDS specific weakness. It is common. Vexilar has buttons on the front. The other HDS models have programmable buttons on the front. If you don't like negotiating through all these menus you should consider a different model.
2-The width of the A-Scope is too narrow. This is common to all Lowrance models, not just the HDS. I use this a lot. The width of the A-Scope should be double what it is.
3-I could not find an option to place grid lines across the screen. This is another option I like very much. It may not mean anything to you, but I want thin lines running horizontally all the way across the screen at least at 20 foot intervals.
Today I called Lowrance technical support. I've seen posts on lots of boards about how terrible their tech support was. Today was just one call so that does not constitute proof of anything but one call. My wait time was about 30 seconds. I'd call that excellent. Troy was the person's name taking my call. He was professional and courteous, answered all my questions to my satisfaction and never rushed me. All I have to go on is this one call, but on the basis of it, I would give Lowrance high marks on tech support.
L.Winchester
Overall strengths in no particular order:
1-Ability to show a clutter free display.
2-Improved visibility closer to the bottom.
3-Wide cone angle in shallow water works very well.
4-Ability to eliminate interference from other fishfinders
5-Adjustable ping speed. This is available on all Lowrances but I list it since it is absent on Hbirds.
Weaknesses:
1-Menu systems are awkward. This is not a Lowrance or HDS specific weakness. It is common. Vexilar has buttons on the front. The other HDS models have programmable buttons on the front. If you don't like negotiating through all these menus you should consider a different model.
2-The width of the A-Scope is too narrow. This is common to all Lowrance models, not just the HDS. I use this a lot. The width of the A-Scope should be double what it is.
3-I could not find an option to place grid lines across the screen. This is another option I like very much. It may not mean anything to you, but I want thin lines running horizontally all the way across the screen at least at 20 foot intervals.
Today I called Lowrance technical support. I've seen posts on lots of boards about how terrible their tech support was. Today was just one call so that does not constitute proof of anything but one call. My wait time was about 30 seconds. I'd call that excellent. Troy was the person's name taking my call. He was professional and courteous, answered all my questions to my satisfaction and never rushed me. All I have to go on is this one call, but on the basis of it, I would give Lowrance high marks on tech support.
L.Winchester