View Full Version : Lowrance X-91 vs. Eagle 240
Looking to get a new locator. Struggling between the X91 and Eagle 240. Any advice?
WillieB
03-28-2002, 08:21 PM
Don't get too swayed by Lowrance over Eagle. Both are made on the same assembly lines (yes, in Mexico) and use over 98% of the same parts. The primary difference between the two have almost always been the number of view options or the method of backlighting the unit.
For all intents and purposes the Eagle FishMark 160 is the same as the Lowrance X-71, the Eagle FishMark 240 is the same as the Lowrance X-91. So why the extra $$ for Lowrance? The answer I've always received from Lowrance/Eagle customer service is those "extra" features, but they openly acknowledge they are made at the same place, on the same line, using almost all the same parts. Give Lowrance a call at 800 324-1356, Eagle at 800 324-1354. The same customer service reps answer.
All that being said, the Eagle FishMark 240 (Lowrance X-91) is a great unit and should serve you nicely.
tight lines
CarpetBagger
03-28-2002, 08:56 PM
I agee with Willie on this one. There is little difference in the units. Now they come in different colors (Lowrance a darkish gray Eagle a lighter off white) until this year there really was no visible differnece between these units, unless you bother to see Eagle or Lowrance on them (X65 and X85).
I guess really the only difference is in a name (and really whats in a name; thanx Shakesphere) Only difference is you can say to your fishing buddies "I Gota Lowrance on my boat."
Same screan size, same power, same unit, same 1 year warrenty from the manufacturer (different colors, different price differnt name only difference). Im definatly not against LEI (i have a Lowrance) but youd think they would make a difference between the 2 lines.
##### even their Websites are similar!
Unless you want the bragging rights of owning a Lowrance id say save a few and go with the Eagle.
CB
livebait
03-29-2002, 12:02 AM
Perhaps your not thinking an internal backup memory is a big deal or the fact that the lowrance has an easier screen to read in varioius lighting conditions. Do yourself a favor and go with lowrance.
ebijack
03-29-2002, 03:40 AM
x-91/3000 watts
eagle 240/1200 watts
WillieB
03-29-2002, 06:47 AM
My apologies, there IS a difference in power. The FishMark 240 has 1500 watts peak to peak (per their website) and is "depth capable" to 800'. The Lowrance X91 has 3000 peak to peak (like the X85 it replaced)and is "depth capable" to 1000'.
I know that I do the VAST majority of my fishing in less than 100', most of the time less than 60'.
As far as the internal battery back-up, BOTH the Lowrance X-91 and the Eagle FishMark 240 units have it.
Both should serve you quite well, with the FishMark 240 costing about $120 to $130 less.
But yes, a Lowrance IS a Lowrance.
tight lines
CarpetBagger
03-29-2002, 07:56 AM
i dont think 800-1000' of water is in any of our freshwater lakes...
Grey Wolf
03-29-2002, 09:24 AM
I've been told and tended to believe the salesmand when making purchases, I don't have first hand experience, that both Lowrance and Eagle have the same warranty, same assemble line etc, that if you are shortly out of warranty and have a problem you will get charged for the Eagle, but will not for the Lowrance. This is contrarty to what the warranty states. Now I don't know, maybe that is a sales gimic to justify the higher price, but like I said I didn't have first hand experience. I do think though that the differences you get are not advertised, are there better components in the Lowrance? The lighting to me is worth it.
I was just discussing online with another fellow about my lowrance x15 mt. I had to send mine in because it was not working. That was one week ago to the day. I told them I needed it urgently because I am leaving tonight to go to new york to catch some brown trout. They told me if there is anything wrong with it they will send me a new one and they said it will take three days to get it back to me. I just received it a half hour ago. It has been 7 days so I was pissed until I opened the box and there was a letter inside. It read "sorry for the inconvenience we hope this will make up for the late arrival". The lowrance I bought was the standard x15 mt. They sent me the lowrance x15 mt with the gps option. This option costs about 400 dollars. I was very happy about this. I have owned 3 eagle paper graphs and a scanner. They have not given me this kind of satifaction. THis company is so well ran that if I have another problem it wouldn't surprize me if they sent along with the graph a 6 foot tall blonde beauty to give me oral while I test out the repaired graph.
ebijack
03-29-2002, 02:25 PM
i have had above and beyond the service from lowrance. back in about 92 they repaired my old X-16 (new key pad) cleaned and all new knobs. also a replacement for the scraped transducer....all free of charge...i just had to pay to ship it to them...no return shipping cost. just wish they still made the external flashers with the 600watts.
WillieB
03-29-2002, 03:19 PM
Three weeks back I tried powering up an Eagle Ultra III I had picked up at a yard sale. Well, she was as dead as a doornail. I called up Lowrance/Eagle and after confirming that I had tried switching power cables, they offered to "upgrade" me to the new Eagle FishMark 160 with speed/temp sensors for $175.
I read them the serial number from the back of the Ultra, sent them a check and I received the new unit in 5 days WITHOUT having to send in the dead Ultra.
All I know is I got a $120 discount on a new $300 unit, and the statements regarding same assembly line, parts, etc. came from the reps at Eagle/Lowrance on this and several other occasions.
Last year I was told the same regarding the differences between the Lowrance X75 and the Eagle Accura from the "Lowrance" reps.
I have both Eagles and Lowrances, along with a Garmin 240 and a Humminbird 3D Paramount. I do minor repairs on depthfinders and sell most off. I've no particular allegience to any brands name, only it's performance...I just do some honest comparisons.
I've meant no offence to Lowrance owners, or to Garmin owners for not advocating the 240.
Thank the gods that we've got toys like these to play around with!
tight lines
How do you find the Humminbird 3D? I have one, its a 92 model I believe. I find that the depth is out by 4 feet. I like the "3D" aspect of the unit but I'm wondering if bottom definition has gotten any better or is it still laid out in grids on the "3D" mode? Also, are the new ones any better? I am leaning towards purchasing a Garmin 240, but I like the looks of the new Eagle 240.
Much appreciated.
WillieB
03-29-2002, 08:05 PM
I like to use the 3D Paramount the first time or two that I'm on a new body of water. It's a great quick info tool to show you the bottom contour, slopes and humps in a grid format. Unfortunately, the shallower you use it, the more "tunnel visioned" it becomes. I've got a 2000 model, resolution is 320x240.
Once I've identified contours and structure, I'll use a standard 2D unit, I'm partial to the Lowrance X75, Garmin 240 or Eagle Accura. All are great units, some of it just comes down to how user friendly it is or the "feel" of the unit.
I think the Garmin 240 is technically a slightly better unit, but I like the simplicity of the X75 or Eagle...maybe I'm just more familiar with them or maybe I'm getting a bit lazy! I don't subscribe to pinging away with as many watts as I can buy. I believe much better results are obtained by properly tweaking your sensitivity levels. If I routinely fished the Great Lakes or had need to intricately examine depths over 100 feet, then I'd be a little concerned about watts.
Don't know what waters you'll be fishing, but the Garmin 240 is a fine unit and a very nice value for the money. In the $300 range there are some folks dumping Lowrance X85s...Cabelas was/is letting them go for $319. A nice price for another nice unit.
tight lines