Lowrance vs hummingbird

[HardHead]

more specifically the hummingbird 899ci had si versus the lowrance hds 7 gen 2.  I'm looking at one or the other for my triton.  Was playing around with them side by side at gander today. Jmo, but the hummingbird seem to have a better graphic, more clear definition.  Kind of seemed like the only thing the lowrance had over the hummingbird was the touch screen

would love to hear others opinion, experiences, and/or reviews of either unit.  Thanks in advance for the info.

[jolicious]

Since I only know two things about My Lowrance Units:

1. Process for powering up

2. They still don't make a cable from cell phone to units for extra-large "Angry Birds Sessions"....

I did a quick Google search - this link seems to have at least a little info on both?

 

www.fishfinders.info/the-best-fishfinder-under-1000

[Bassmod]

Just got a 899 combo and that thing so far has been super easy to setup and use!! 

[bobby b.]

You may want to consider the future capability (linking two units together, linking the trolling motor, I Pilot link, etc.) of what you buy and the length of time each unit will be supported by the manufacturer.  I have a 997 SI and a 777 linked together to share waypoints and the 777 uses the universal sonar in the MinnKota Powerdrive.  I like the setup but while looking for a bigger screen to replace the 777, I found out that these units will not be supported (repaired) after 2016. 

[5bites]

Both brands are great but I run birds. The main advantage of birds is the mucho much better mapping. Some guys actually run both brands just to get the humminbird/lakemaster mapping. The picture is great but from everything I've heard (no personal experience) lowrance has a slight edge in real life situations. It's not much but it is what it is. I'll keep running the birds though. The maps are great and the much simpler installation is worth it imo. I just don't like the separate lss box of lowrance but that could be why it's clearer? 

 

Just so you know you can buy 999's new right now for $859 and 1199's for $1299!

 

 

Heres a few screens from my 999's. 

[Matt Henry]

I have a friend who worked in the electronics department at Bass Pro.  He strongly recommended Humminbird over Lowrance when I was buying equipment.  2 factors:

1-easier to operate 

2-customer service from the factory- He said Lowrance was very difficult to work with.

[Sore Thumbs]

I have Lowrance and like them just fine. It does appear that Hummingbird has a clearer picture. The one advantage is that the Lss lets you have Si on multiple units. So it might cost you less in the long run. They also have those backbone connection cable that you can plug into your motor to have your unit display fuel consumption,rpm etc... I'm sure HB has that as well. Not sure though.

[5bites]

I have a friend who worked in the electronics department at Bass Pro.  He strongly recommended Humminbird over Lowrance when I was buying equipment.  2 factors:

1-easier to operate 

2-customer service from the factory- He said Lowrance was very difficult to work with.

this is also true from my experience. Good menus, screen presets like a car radio, just a simple layout. Customer service has been good to me

[5bites]

I have Lowrance and like them just fine. It does appear that Hummingbird has a clearer picture. The one advantage is that the Lss lets you have Si on multiple units. So it might cost you less in the long run. They also have those backbone connection cable that you can plug into your motor to have your unit display fuel consumption,rpm etc... I'm sure HB has that as well. Not sure though.

you can actually feed si into into non si units on humminbird via Ethernet. Say you have a 999 at the wheel and an 859 at the trolling motor. It's a neat feature for some I'm sure especially if you doibt you'd use si up front much. Personally I like it up front. You find all kinds of stuff while covering water but that's another topic. 

You won't go wrong no matter what brand you by as long as you like the layout and menus. I'm watching the other brands. It's getting competitive. Hopefully they'll quit going to court soon and then the prices will get even better 

[skeeter]

I have a friend who worked in the electronics department at Bass Pro.  He strongly recommended Humminbird over Lowrance when I was buying equipment.  2 factors:

1-easier to operate 

2-customer service from the factory- He said Lowrance was very difficult to work with.

At today's prices and if you plan on keeping whatever you purchase for a few years, I'd pay close attention to Matt's #2.  Lowrance has this Corporate Policy of declaring their units "obsolete" after a while   Won't support them and won't repair them and you are then forced to buy another unit.  Of course, it's up to you. Good luck !