Lowrance Electronics

[Hazbin]

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?

If you are not ready to junk it, there is a shop in Springfield that repairs them and specializes in Lowrance units and if you pm 1997merc Bo can give you all the info on George.

[BOwnz]

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

That's what frustrates me. I understand that technology changes, but my fear is the Gen2 HDS's are their top product now and when I have a problem 2 years down the road there will be something bigger and better and I'm SOL on a $1,500-$2,000 unit.

[Champ188]

Switched to Lowrance, will never own another Humminbird anything. I had to file a claim with the BBB against them and won. Got a call from some "president" of Humminbird the day after the case was closed and she was very unhappy and rude about refunding my money..

can catch all the fish I need with a $99 X4 Pro. It goes for days and days on 8 AA batteries.

They saw you coming on that X4 Pro. Cabela's has em for $89.

[BOwnz]

I'm leaning either at the HDS Gen2 7 or the 998. They fit into what I'm willing to spend and seem comparable. Has anyone used both? Also, does the old GPS puck still work on the newer models? The less time I have to mess with the thing the better.

[Champ188]

I have a Gen 2 HDS 5 in my dash (it came with our 2013 Ranger) and as stated earlier, I added two 900 series Humminbirds. I do think the Lowrance 2D sonar is more sensitive, but part of that is learning how to set up the Humminbird. IF I'm not mistaken, the HDS 7 should have a built-in GPS antenna, so no need for an external puck.

[5bites]

998 has a bigger screen.

Can you link lowrance units to share waypoints? I assume you can.

[BOwnz]

I have a Gen 2 HDS 5 in my dash (it came with our 2013 Ranger) and as stated earlier, I added two 900 series Humminbirds. I do think the Lowrance 2D sonar is more sensitive, but part of that is learning how to set up the Humminbird. IF I'm not mistaken, the HDS 7 should have a built-in GPS antenna, so no need for an external puck.

Yup, you are right, built in. I should had stated I have a good Lowrance up front for 2d. I want the graph that gives me the best side imaging and maps for structure. I think the fact you added two Humminbirds says they got your vote lol

[5bites]

As far as maps go imo lakemaster has the advantage on features and coverage. For the lakes I fish anyway. I can post screen shots of certain lakes of you wanted me to.

[Dutch]

If you are not ready to junk it, there is a shop in Springfield that repairs them and specializes in Lowrance units and if you pm 1997merc Bo can give you all the info on George.

If you are talking about George Robinson of Marine Repair he has retired and left a couple of years ago. Before he left he told me that systems now days have to be repaired by computers.

[Pepe]

To address your question about waypoints; my HDS units are networked so when you enter a waypoint into one of them, or save a screenshot related to a waypoint, it is on all the units. I'm sure Hummingbird does the same thing.

I do like the Sonic Hub music system on the Lowrance. If i pause it on one unit I can resume on the other. Sometimes the bass like Coleman Hawkins, sometimes it's Allison Krauss, Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler or James Taylor. Even when they don't, sometimes we do;)