Which One would you buy??

[MT 1]

Which of these two would you buy???

Humminbird® 898c SI Sonar GPS+WAAS Chartplotter Combo
or
Lowrance® HDS-8 Fishfinder/GPS Chartplotter

I don't know enough about either of these but they seem to be in the same price range. Any help would be great!!! Thanks!

[viperboy]

MT 1 I have always fished with lowrance products but my new locator this year will be a Humminbird. Lowrance was sold a few years back and thier quality has been in question for the last couple of years. Thier service desk was run by a fine lady named Linda Colt who has recently left lowrance. I just had a unit in for repair that was 3 months off warranty and I was billed for the repair. I have no problem paying for a repair however for the price we pay for these units I believe the sould last longer than 15 months. Humminbird will be the new standard. Enjoy the bird.

[scl73]

I agree with viperboy, go with the Humminbird, way too many issues with Lowrance. I currently have an Lcx27c and have had nothing but troubles with it. I was going to go with and HDS unit, but they have all sorts of issues with them also.

[Jason Halfen]

They are in the same price range, but remember that the Humminbird 898 is a fully capable side imaging/down imaging/2D sonar/chartplotter unit. The HDS 8 is a 2D sonar/chartplotter only, unless you add the structure scan module and its separate transducer at additional expense (~ $600 retail).

[SingleShot]

I'll be changing to HB this year, lowrance is done in my boat!

JK

[cspierings]

I have run Lowrance for years and been pretty happy until my last two purchases. Bought an H20 handheld GPS for ice fishing, had issues and fought with Lowrance about them, Gander Mountain took it back when I told them the problems. Bought an "Ice Pack" for my 520C to use on the ice and the battery was shot when I got it. Lowrance told me to get out of their hair and spend $40 on a new battery. That got me thinking about the wisdom of staying with them. To that point I had purchased 4 different locators prior to the handheld from Lowrance. I was shocked by the response on the battery since I purchased the ice pack direct from Lowrance.

This fall had my boat totaled by a coffee deprived lady in an SUV and that meant time to shop for a new rig. That shopping gave me the excuse to bite the bullet and try Humminbird after seeing the costs to get into 3D via Lowrance and given my recent customer support experiences. I rolled the 997c SI into the package I bought and still had the boat wired to use my 520C (so many trails and waypoints in that unit to let it go). I use the 520 to run over old trails and get me to old waypoints and save them in the HB then when I arrive take it up front on the Terrova and shift it to full locator mode.

So far I am happy with the HB and the software upgrades are nice. In fact I wish I had had the money to spring for the big SI unit.

If you are used to Lowrance it takes some getting used to the differences in the interface but that SI has seriously changed the way I fish and I am certain there are a few less Sauger on the Mississippi than there would have been without it.

So far HB has treated me right when I have had questions or concerns. Lowrance hasn't lately so I voted with my dollars. I'm not telling you one is better than the other just telling you that in my experience right now you will probably get more for your dollar from HB if you need help.

[ffishman]

I run two Lowrances on my boat now, but after what I have been reading, when I need to replace one, I will look at other names

[Jimmy Jig]

My problem is that I have two map chips that work in the Lowrance and I don't want to buy two new ones for HB. I too have heard enough of Lowrances rotten customer service and defective units right out of the box........

[fishermanbilly]

After all the posts that I have seen I would go with Hummingbird. I would also check out other fishing sites concerning FishFinders. Make your decision based on your own research. I would also check with your local boat dealer and see what problems that have had with units that they sell. I know I asked a local boat deal where I live and they stated they have had nothing but problems with Lowrance products. Good Luck and enjoy fishing this season.

[yarcraft91]

My problem is that I have two map chips that work in the Lowrance and I don't want to buy two new ones for HB. I too have heard enough of Lowrances rotten customer service and defective units right out of the box........

When I start replacing my current Lowrance equipment, I'd rather spend $200-300 for new map chips than spend $2K+ for electronics with crummy factory support.

[Jason Halfen]

I assume you're talking about Lakemaster. It's true that you'll need a Humminbird-specific Lakemaster chip for use in the 'birds. However, you're getting more than mapping with a Lakemaster chip in your Humminbird: you're also getting a host of Humminbird-exclusive features that will enhance your cartography experience beyond what you're currently experiencing.

Below are a few screen captures from Pelican Lake (by Brainerd, MN) illustrating the water level offset, shallow water highlight, and depth range highlight features that you'll only find in the Humminbird/Lakemaster combination.The last one shows the searchable lake list....find your lake without scrolling all over creation with the cursor....another Lakemaster/Humminbird exclusive offering.

[Pezman38]

Will the humminbird accept Navionics SD cards?

[yarcraft91]

Will the humminbird accept Navionics SD cards?

Yes! Navionics SD map chips work in either Lowrance or Humminbird. Check it out.
http://www.navionics.com/HMPlatinumCompatiblePlotters10.asp

For those of us considering a switch from Lowrance to HB, this is especially nice to know.

[pwrfshn]

Gerald,

As I stated in my email, there are a lot of reasons as are almost all mentioned above.

He may not be the most popular guy on a walleye site, but I believe KVD is respected by many and will probably go down as one of the best bass fishermen ever.

He was on a radio show recently and absolutely blasted Lowrance IMHO. For a guy with that level of professionalism to outright blast a company must mean there is something inherently wrong with Navico. Firing Linda Colt was the worst thing they ever did. She seemed to be the only person that understood how to help make things right with the consumer. That is another topic.

I've used the latest Lowrance HDS units and although I am impressed with the technology and user interface, the company is something I can not support or even remotely suggest. I've used a Humminbird since they came out with the 987 and currently have a 788 and 1197 and would not go back to Lowrance.

My .02,

[Pezman38]

Gerald,

As I stated in my email, there are a lot of reasons as are almost all mentioned above.

He may not be the most popular guy on a walleye site, but I believe KVD is respected by many and will probably go down as one of the best bass fishermen ever.

He was on a radio show recently and absolutely blasted Lowrance IMHO. For a guy with that level of professionalism to outright blast a company must mean there is something inherently wrong with Navico. Firing Linda Colt was the worst thing they ever did. She seemed to be the only person that understood how to help make things right with the consumer. That is another topic.

I've used the latest Lowrance HDS units and although I am impressed with the technology and user interface, the company is something I can not support or even remotely suggest. I've used a Humminbird since they came out with the 987 and currently have a 788 and 1197 and would not go back to Lowrance.

My .02,

Mexico,
I know it was your opinion above that he was "discussing" one of his sponsors. I would like to hear the interview just the same. Any chance you can come up with a link for us?

[pwrfshn]

KVD was NOT blasting one of his sponsors, he is no longer sponsored by Lowrance. He is a happy Humminbird owner now. :bigsmile:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/podcast/archive?id=3922306 The BASS Reporters: 1/15 Got to about 19 minutes into the interview.

[Pezman38]

Dang thanks for the fast reply. I was unaware he switched to HB, interview sheds some light on why.

Just listened and you are 100% correct, he seems to agree with most people on this forum.

[AllenW]

KVD was NOT blasting one of his sponsors, he is no longer sponsored by Lowrance. He is a happy Humminbird owner now. :bigsmile:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/podcast/archive?id=3922306 The BASS Reporters: 1/15 Got to about 19 minutes into the interview.


And he's blasting Lowrance now..hummm, not sure I'd take much stock in that, infact when a sponsored pro talks about equiptment, I figure most of it is BS anyway.

To the OP, I have 2 LCX27C and one 510x and they have all worked fine, I see no need to upgrade especially considering the total cost and considering the units work well.

That said, when one does fail, I will go elsewhere.
Customer service is as important to me as the unit its self, Lowrance's ace in the hole was Linda, she is no longer there.

Chances are you'll see Huminbirds on my boat as the Lowrances fail.

I'd suggest you do the same, but look at each unit and see which one YOU like the best.

Al

[1625rebel]

My HDS has worked fine so far, but I don't have a lot of run time with it. It gives some excellent sonar returns. No issues with my H2Oc handheld or the sonar that came with my boat. Sounds like I'm in the great minority here.

I'm all for customer service though, and maybe Lowrance will someday see the error of their ways. I have to think someone who works for Navico must be seeing the internet response from various sites on Linda's departure.

Some of the reasons I went with Lowrance HDS 7: Ability to get engine info on NMEA 2000 network, ability to add structure scan later without paying for it today, needed something a little bigger than the 5" screen from the 798, but couldn't afford to step up to the 9 series.

[bob1]

Linda Colt was the best thing Lowrance had going for them. Sounds stupid to let her go!

If I had a company, I would hire someone like her to be my customer service manager!

Bob