What your preferred brand of Fish Finder and why?

[darin]

I have always had lowrance graphs but was seeing some decent deals on the humminbirds... Then I got to thinking that a lot of times when I look at some boats in the classifieds, many of them have Garmin units on them. So if I'm going to buy a new color graph to go next to my lowrance 520C, what should I get? I suppose another lowrance would allow me to network them and use them off of the same gps and tranducer, right? Would another brand interfere? I don't have a bowmount, so moving a transducer up front is not and option. I guess I'm looking for the best bang for my buck in a color graph. Thanks to anyone who chimes in...

[cspierings]

I just upgraded boats recently and as part of the package I bit the bullet and had it set up to run my old 520c at the trolling motor and the console (power only there) and a HB 997 at the console. That has given me a nice opportunity to compare Lowrance and HB next to each other though they units are of different vintages.

What I like about the Lowrance is the Lakemaster chip compatibility which here in WI crushes everyone else one the lakes I like to fish. I also know the Lowrance interface pretty well and have lots of trails and waypoints in it. I will tell you I did not enjoy the experience I had with Lowrance customer service on my hand held GPS.

What I like about the HB is the side imaging and the size of the display. Granted I paid a lot more $ for the HB. I unit does well hold the bottom at up to about 45 mph though the side imaging isn't useful at those speeds. Its desiged for about 4-5 MPH max from what I read. When they become available I will plug a Lakemaster WI chip in that HB too. HB has software to help me convert my lowrance data and store it in the HB unit, haven't done it yet though so I don't know how rough it is. The calls and emails I have made to HB for help have been answered promptly which is much more than I can say for my experience with Lowrance.

At this point I can't recommend one over the other its not apples to apples on vintage but I can recommend HB when it comes to dealing with them on the phone and via email. Lowrance used to be that way but that changed between when I bought the unit prior to my 520 and when I actually bought my 520.

Lots of learning to do with that HB unit yet but so far I am happy with what it is showing me.

[smoker62]

Hummingbird because I get them for discounted prices.

[frwhlr38]

I have a hummingbird portable, works great because i can switch it form 1 boat to another but im looking at lowrance for my big boat BILL Life Member Since 09-01-09

[darin]

Thanks for the responses... I have spent long hours on the phone with Lowrance, too. Emails with them went a little faster, I think. Not sure what to do. I'm thinking I'd like a bigger screen than my 520... but I don't want the price tag of the big screen. Are any of you comfortable buying used units? Not sure it's worth the risk to save a few bucks...

[Chucker57]

I don't like buying used unless I know the person that selling it. I prefer Lowrance over HB. I know HB has side imaging but I had that back years ago with Bottomline and didn't find it that useful for walleye fishing. Also Lowerance seems to be more up to date with the various brand of lake chips. Which are a very valuable fishing tool.

[1shooter]

Why don't you try calling both companies 800 number and make your decision off of your experience.

[whofan]

Why don't you try calling both companies 800 number and make your decision off of your experience.


I second that. Hard earned money deserves good service and quality product.

[1shooter]

Did you try calling both companies and what was your experience?

[fishncamp]

I just purchased a Standard Horizon CPF300....anybody else using one?

[Yamy75 unlogged]

1. Brighter screen of HB......easier to see in daylight
2. large text sizes for reading data in most formats
3. quick toggle ability of keys for different views
4. no problems in 3 years (797 Sidescan with NVB map)
5. better resolution when using a Navionics premium chip.. better contrast for contour lines
6....this is my view after comparing 332C Ext. Lowarance and 797 Sidescan with NVB

Oh, and did i mention, the sidescan feature is outstanding!

[rebs]

I have always had and enjoyed Lowrance and still do. I have not encountered the problems that others have

[Pezman38]

I have the new HDS5 Lowrance product. The first unit I had malfunctioned immediately and I never had to talk to Lowrance because the dealer just handed me a new one and took care of it. I installed the software update on the new unit and love it. Great detail all the time, no issues with glare from the sun, GPS countours are amazing with the Navionics chip, data transfered easy from my H2Oc for waypoints. I had trouble transferring data and the Lowrance website with FAQ's was more than helpful so I never needed to call.
Lowrance now has sideimaging ($699) as well, give it a few months for all the bugs to get worked out and both units are comparable.
I hope to get a HDS 7 for the console and move my HDS5 to the bow eventually.

[karpbuster]

I have had Lowrance in the past, but just bought a HB. I like it, easy to use, very good quality display.

I bought a HB 788 ci.

[fisher-1]

I have always had and enjoyed Lowrance and still do. I have not encountered the problems that others have

Same here!