Lowrance Electronics

[BOwnz]

Long time reader, first time post. I have had Lowrance electronics for the last 10 years or so. I recently had an issue with one of my units that was 3 years old. I called Lowrance and they told me it was out of warranty, which I knew. I was told that the would only work on units that were in warranty and refused to do anything, even though I offered to pay for repairs and labor. The unit has shorted out since then because of the same problem Lowrance refused to help me with. I need to buy something new and don't want to tie up $1,500 bucks in something that I cannot get fixed. Did I just have a bad experience with Lowrance or can anyone else speak to this? I will be buying a side scan and have used both Humminbird and Lowrance, what do you guys like?

[5bites]

I'm running humminbirds and really like the user friendliness of them. I don't think there's any clear advantage of one over the other more than it's just personal preference. I do know that I've heard good things about humminbird customer service.

[Champ188]

Ditto on 5bites' comment. I have a Humminbird 958 with downscan up front and a 998 with sidescan and downscan on the console. Love em.

[J-Doc]

That's sad to hear. Especially how much we have to pay for these units. You would think they would refurbish if you were willing to pay.

From my research before buying new units, HB lacks in 2D sonar quality but makes up for it with downscan and side scan quality. It's also lacking in mapping I'm told and from what I've seen.

Lowrance has great 2D sonar, great mapping and map making capacity for custom maps and for scanning your own area and then using Genisis to create updated contour maps. But Lowrance is not as good on downscan and side scan for pixel quality of images. Close....very close comparison.

Garmin (who I've never cared for) is stepping up their game.

Raymarine is getting into the freshwater market as well but limited options currently.

I have heard of others having Lowrance units fail within 3yrs. If mine does, I will be in the same boat. Looking around. Some have had them for many years but the idea of not repairing something simple is annoying.

[5bites]

I guess I shoulda added I'm running a 998 at the console and a 798 at the trolling motor. I've had an 898 before and it was a good graph also. The lakemaster mapping alone makes them worth it imo.

[Ranger482V]

You're basically SOL with any of the older units. They will not repair them now that they are making the new HDS units.

[fishingaddiction]

I run Humminbird units front and console. Mapping, down scan, and 2D are good, easier to operate than Lowrance units. Customer service is very helpful with a few non serious issues. Price point is fair for what you get in the units.

[REDSOXWSCHAMP]

In my business I have had dealings with lowrance, and it's a pain to even deal with the tech support.I've been waiting 3 weeks for an email reply

[Pepe]

I have a couple Lowrance HDS 10's and a HDS 8. I had a problem about a year ago. I called Lowrance from the water and a tech guy stayed on the phone with me while I sorted out the problem with the network. Took about 20 minutes of pulling things apart and back together before we figured it out.

T'was a bad connector. I learned to put a tiny bit of white lithium grease on each connection.

[bobby b.]

Humminbird is the way to go - the technology has changed regarding communication between the units so you may want to consider this if you plan to upgrade.