Hummingbirds vs. Lowrances

[nebrwalleye]

Always ran Lowrance, but I really like the new Hummingbirds. I have 2 questions about them as I have never had the chance to use one or even ask questions.

1) Are they compatible with Lowrances? For instance, can't use the same LakeMaster chip in both a Lowrance and a Garmin. Any chips I have are for my Lowrance; will they work just fine in a Hummingbird?

2) Are the functions relatively the same? Getting reasonable good at using my Lowrance and I don't want to have to learn a new sonar unit.

Thanks for any help!!

[fishyj]

You won't have any problems learning to run the 'bird'. Very user freindly. Don't think the bird accepts Lakemaster cards, only Navionics. The GPS and the zoom in is very easy and accurate.

[RDJ]

I don't run Hummingbird (Lowrance user) but last saturday I did see Lynn Jurrens (sp?) announce while he was on stage at the final day weigh in for South D. AIM that H.Bird had an update comming out that would make their units compatible to run LakeMaster map cards. Might want to double check this info but he talked about it for a few minutes prior to weighing in.

RJ in Montana

[hondo]

Humminbird will be compatable with LakeMaster later this year or early next year - a software update will be needed to existing HB units. Lowrance or Garmin LakeMaster cards won't work in HB, you'll need the HB version of the LM card.

The menus and some of the terminology is different but it shouldn't take you too long to pick it up if you switch brands.

[KHedquist]

http://www.jasonhalfenoutdoors.com/HumminbirdIndex.html

Here is good site for Humminbird info

[lundeepv]

Have had Lowrance, Garmin and now have two Humminbirds. So far..........so good!!!

[KHedquist]

I converted to Humminbird and I am extremely happy with them, I have a 997 and 1157 and 788, of course they run Navionics, which I also have been happy with, but like they said above Lakemaster will be avaialble also. The 2d sonar will pick up a weight and leech in 30+' of water. Simple to learn also

[whofan]

I`m a former Lowrance user. I would go with Humminbird if I were rigging a boat now days.

Lowrance has nice hardware product in concept and aesthetic looks.
Too bad they don`t work as well as they use to.
Bought a Lowrance x75 in 1999, it was flawless for eight years running.
I upgraded to color with the x510c, big mistake!

I now have a Vexilar Edge, that works good like my old Lowrance.

[juliel]

I switched back to Lowrance on my new boat this year, Thank God, I didn't get rid of the Humminbird that came with it. I will be on my 3rd hds, and total they have worked for about 2 hrs. Quit on vacation and before a tourney last weekend. I will be going back to humminbird, that unit has been flawless

[blueranger61]

I purchased an '05 621 in 2007, it came with two birds a 987 and a 787 both have work flawless. Recently I downloaded an upgrade on the 987 and the unit would not re boot up for me. I contacted Eddie at Humminbird and he said to fed ex it to him and he would fix the problem. I sent it on a Monday, they received it on a Tuesday and I had it back on Wednesday. Just this week I wanted to find a DVD on the 987( the one that came with unit did not make it to me when I bought the boat) I emailed Eddie at Humminbird and had an answer back in about 30 minutes along with the DVD for the sonar and side imaging. I asked Eddie to let me know what the charge would be "his reply was complimanets of Humminbird". Humminbird service is nothing but a "CLASS ACT" and the units do what they say they are going to do. Right now I am looking to upgrade to the 1100 series.