The Online Source for Washington Fishing Information

Hummingbird or Lowrance?

I plan on getting a boat of somesort this coming year and am interested in at least a Downscan model or a side imaging model if I can swing it.

So ive looked into it very briefly...

I read some reviews off of basspro's site about hummingbird having horrible customer service, relating to contacting services AND warranty service

I have also read that Lowrance is more reliable while Hummingbird not so much.

I just recently looked more into Hummingbird's 788 DI and there 798 SI

but just have read a few bad things that kind of scare me.

I just wanted to hear your guys' opinion and/or experiences.

Thanks

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nick Berto on January 19, 2011 at 5:26am

Is Jeff Boyer going to be putting on a class this year at the Sportsman Show on how to work the HDS unit again like last year? This was a very informative class that showed a lot of the capabilities of the Lowrance and if there is a class, I would highly recommend going. Didn't he also make a video you can watch?

Permalink Reply by Mark Maderos on January 19, 2011 at 5:53am

Yes Nick, Jeff will be giving seminars.

Mark

NickBerto said:

Is Jeff Boyer going to be putting on a class this year at the Sportsman Show on how to work the HDS unit again like last year? This was a very informative class that showed a lot of the capabilities of the Lowrance and if there is a class, I would highly recommend going. Didn't he also make a video you can watch?

Permalink Reply by Richard Shaff on January 19, 2011 at 12:57pm

Marc,

I have been using the Lowrance Units for years and last year purchased HDS units for my boat, the one thing I noticed with the HDS units that I haven't been happy with is the Navigation/GPS screen response time when trying to hold on smaller spots. I am used to how quickly the 520's or even the old MT15's responded, they were far easier for me to use in those pinpoint location applications. Have you had an issue similair to this or heard of any fix for this? Any information would be appreciated.

Richard Shaff

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on January 19, 2011 at 2:05pm

Hello Richard,

Change your refresh rate on your antenna to "time" instead of the default, and then set the interval to 1 second. That will make it as good or better than any of the previous models. If you are using the factory default settings be sure to increase your sonar ping speed to 18 or higher. Otherwise you are not kicking in the Broadband Sounder which will give you the best possible sonar picture.

Also make sure in the "setup" for sonar you select "shallow water mode" and that you program in the model transducer installed. The model number is on the little silver tag attached on the sonar end of your transducer cable. Then you are all set! Once programmed the HDS remembers your settings. You can also back up your settings and overlay information on an SD card and also download them to your computer.

ciao,

Marc

Richard Shaff said:

Marc,

I have been using the Lowrance Units for years and last year purchased HDS units for my boat, the one thing I noticed with the HDS units that I haven't been happy with is the Navigation/GPS screen response time when trying to hold on smaller spots. I am used to how quickly the 520's or even the old MT15's responded, they were far easier for me to use in those pinpoint location applications. Have you had an issue similair to this or heard of any fix for this? Any information would be appreciated.

Richard Shaff

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on January 19, 2011 at 2:20pm

Hey Marc, a buddy of mine just ordered a sidescan kit today. Where is the best place to order the jack plate mount you helped develope? Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on January 19, 2011 at 4:25pm

Ron,

I won't dispute ya!

Are you getting good images with the downscan and sidescan without moving the boat with the trolling motor? I've talked to some guys who use the side imaging/scan while fishing like you described. Which views are you getting from which transducers?

My "gimmick" comment was meant for the down imaging. Maybe I should have said "limited usefulness" instead...it just seems like after a year or so of looking at it, I came to the conclusion that it was giving me the same info as the sonar view and my real "aha" moments were when I used the side imaging.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

As everyone can see with chrystal clear vision, it comes down to personal experiences with the products at hand. I have both Units they are both awesome. I know that alot of top of the line pros don't like the added features on there Lowrance systems and the slowness of it booting up, and the have since switched to Hummingbird. I for one love the new units HDS units.

I for one don't mind that is why they have a standbye mode. I am not sponsored by either one of these brands, but I really really like both, it is a tough decision, choosing between the two, and a lot of thought should go behind your decision, don't let bad talk get in your way of making the decision either. Look at the positives of each system, everyone has negative things to say about one or the other, look at the positive and base you decisions on that.

Don......

There is something to be said about using the side imaging, downscan and 2d sonar and map solit sceen while actively fishing a spot, I have had quite a few times where I see a school of bait, longfin smelt, or shad, 100 or more feet away from the spot I am fishing, off to the side with fish under them, without using that split screen I would have never seen them, without the map I would never had been able to stay on my GPS waypoint with the downscan integrated into the 2d sonar i just like the view! So you see, even in your experiences that you deem it not valuable and a "gimmick" other people see it as another advantage. I know you will try to dispute this, but without idling past you spot with side imaging you would not see this but with the structure scan you would, I don't use marker bouys anymore I use my front sonar to keep me on my spots with a waypoint it draws less attention.

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on January 19, 2011 at 5:33pm

There is a huge difference in the image quality of the down scan and standard 2D sonar. You can see clear images of branches on a sunken tree rather than just a big yellow and red blob. There is no question the down scan is a huge improvement over standard 2D.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on January 19, 2011 at 6:30pm

Of course the structure scan is on the back of the boat so you have to adjust your cast for this but I have seen numerous schools of bait off to the side of my boat, while fishing vertical or casting along a breakline or submerged structure or cover. It was also easier to see baitfish and fish sitting on top of or in the submerged trees granted we don't have to worry about this in Washington State. I really like the down imaging screen as well, it shows you the size of the rocks you are fishing it is really bizarre and it is way easier to see rock than with just a regular 2d sonar. It just makes it easier. As far as seeing fish I would much prefer the 2d sonar for that. I do agree though the aha moment did occur with the side imaging the rest are just bonuses.

I would have to agree with you on many points you made about the Hummingbirds and the Lowrances good points all around from both you and Marc. I think that Hummingbird is designed more for Bass Fishermen or shallower applications, I wish that Lowrance would make an unit with this same frame of mind not just an all around unit for 1000's of feet of water to no feet of water. Like you I don't need all the applications that it has, it just clutters up the hard drive and makes it slower to boot up. Who needs a integrated instrument panel on the sonar screen anyhow? It would be cool but it is not needed for what we do. We also don't need satellite imaging to tell us the weather, Its not like we didn't check the weather the night before we decided to take the boat out of the garage, again it would be cool though. Satellite Radio is another and I could go on, but I will spare everyone since they have already heard it. Like I said I had a decision to make and I went with the Lowrance and either way nobody would be disappointed.

Don Hogue said:

Ron,

I won't dispute ya!

Are you getting good images with the downscan and sidescan without moving the boat with the trolling motor? I've talked to some guys who use the side imaging/scan while fishing like you described. Which views are you getting from which transducers?

My "gimmick" comment was meant for the down imaging. Maybe I should have said "limited usefulness" instead...it just seems like after a year or so of looking at it, I came to the conclusion that it was giving me the same info as the sonar view and my real "aha" moments were when I used the side imaging.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

As everyone can see with chrystal clear vision, it comes down to personal experiences with the products at hand. I have both Units they are both awesome. I know that alot of top of the line pros don't like the added features on there Lowrance systems and the slowness of it booting up, and the have since switched to Hummingbird. I for one love the new units HDS units.

I for one don't mind that is why they have a standbye mode. I am not sponsored by either one of these brands, but I really really like both, it is a tough decision, choosing between the two, and a lot of thought should go behind your decision, don't let bad talk get in your way of making the decision either. Look at the positives of each system, everyone has negative things to say about one or the other, look at the positive and base you decisions on that.

Don......

There is something to be said about using the side imaging, downscan and 2d sonar and map solit sceen while actively fishing a spot, I have had quite a few times where I see a school of bait, longfin smelt, or shad, 100 or more feet away from the spot I am fishing, off to the side with fish under them, without using that split screen I would have never seen them, without the map I would never had been able to stay on my GPS waypoint with the downscan integrated into the 2d sonar i just like the view! So you see, even in your experiences that you deem it not valuable and a "gimmick" other people see it as another advantage. I know you will try to dispute this, but without idling past you spot with side imaging you would not see this but with the structure scan you would, I don't use marker bouys anymore I use my front sonar to keep me on my spots with a waypoint it draws less attention.

Permalink Reply by Richard Shaff on January 19, 2011 at 6:37pm

Thanks Marc, can't wait to try the antenna refresh rate setting. That has been my only frustration with these HDS units.

Richard

Marc Marcantonio said:

Hello Richard,

Change your refresh rate on your antenna to "time" instead of the default, and then set the interval to 1 second. That will make it as good or better than any of the previous models. If you are using the factory default settings be sure to increase your sonar ping speed to 18 or higher. Otherwise you are not kicking in the Broadband Sounder which will give you the best possible sonar picture.

Also make sure in the "setup" for sonar you select "shallow water mode" and that you program in the model transducer installed. The model number is on the little silver tag attached on the sonar end of your transducer cable. Then you are all set! Once programmed the HDS remembers your settings. You can also back up your settings and overlay information on an SD card and also download them to your computer.

ciao,

Marc

Richard Shaff said:

Marc,

I have been using the Lowrance Units for years and last year purchased HDS units for my boat, the one thing I noticed with the HDS units that I haven't been happy with is the Navigation/GPS screen response time when trying to hold on smaller spots. I am used to how quickly the 520's or even the old MT15's responded, they were far easier for me to use in those pinpoint location applications. Have you had an issue similair to this or heard of any fix for this? Any information would be appreciated.

Richard Shaff

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on January 19, 2011 at 6:41pm

Transducer Shield and Saver (www.transducershieldandsaver.com) Tell him to call Scap and Shirley Cicero at (334)514-7147 in Alabama.

He probably wants the model that Scap designed on his own...the model I helped design is his newest version that holds both a puck transducer (2D) and the LSS-1 Transducer together. That is how I am mounting my bow unit. It can be used at the trolling motor or on the step or on the jackplate as well.

Great people, and they produce a great product for either Lowrance or Humminbird.

ciao,
Marc Marcantonio

Aaron Christel said:

Hey Marc, a buddy of mine just ordered a sidescan kit today. Where is the best place to order the jack plate mount you helped develope? Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on January 19, 2011 at 8:20pm

I think a lot of it has to do with how I fish. In general, I try to keep the boat off of what I'm fishing, so at that point I'm relying mostly on gps, or may not be using the electronics at all. If, I'm vertical over something then I want to see fish, and my lure = sonar, like you said. Personal pref.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

Of course the structure scan is on the back of the boat so you have to adjust your cast for this but I have seen numerous schools of bait off to the side of my boat, while fishing vertical or casting along a breakline or submerged structure or cover. It was also easier to see baitfish and fish sitting on top of or in the submerged trees granted we don't have to worry about this in Washington State. I really like the down imaging screen as well, it shows you the size of the rocks you are fishing it is really bizarre and it is way easier to see rock than with just a regular 2d sonar. It just makes it easier. As far as seeing fish I would much prefer the 2d sonar for that. I do agree though the aha moment did occur with the side imaging the rest are just bonuses.

I would have to agree with you on many points you made about the Hummingbirds and the Lowrances good points all around from both you and Marc. I think that Hummingbird is designed more for Bass Fishermen or shallower applications, I wish that Lowrance would make an unit with this same frame of mind not just an all around unit for 1000's of feet of water to no feet of water. Like you I don't need all the applications that it has, it just clutters up the hard drive and makes it slower to boot up. Who needs a integrated instrument panel on the sonar screen anyhow? It would be cool but it is not needed for what we do. We also don't need satellite imaging to tell us the weather, Its not like we didn't check the weather the night before we decided to take the boat out of the garage, again it would be cool though. Satellite Radio is another and I could go on, but I will spare everyone since they have already heard it. Like I said I had a decision to make and I went with the Lowrance and either way nobody would be disappointed.

Don Hogue said:

Ron,

I won't dispute ya!

Are you getting good images with the downscan and sidescan without moving the boat with the trolling motor? I've talked to some guys who use the side imaging/scan while fishing like you described. Which views are you getting from which transducers?

My "gimmick" comment was meant for the down imaging. Maybe I should have said "limited usefulness" instead...it just seems like after a year or so of looking at it, I came to the conclusion that it was giving me the same info as the sonar view and my real "aha" moments were when I used the side imaging.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

As everyone can see with chrystal clear vision, it comes down to personal experiences with the products at hand. I have both Units they are both awesome. I know that alot of top of the line pros don't like the added features on there Lowrance systems and the slowness of it booting up, and the have since switched to Hummingbird. I for one love the new units HDS units.

I for one don't mind that is why they have a standbye mode. I am not sponsored by either one of these brands, but I really really like both, it is a tough decision, choosing between the two, and a lot of thought should go behind your decision, don't let bad talk get in your way of making the decision either. Look at the positives of each system, everyone has negative things to say about one or the other, look at the positive and base you decisions on that.

Don......

There is something to be said about using the side imaging, downscan and 2d sonar and map solit sceen while actively fishing a spot, I have had quite a few times where I see a school of bait, longfin smelt, or shad, 100 or more feet away from the spot I am fishing, off to the side with fish under them, without using that split screen I would have never seen them, without the map I would never had been able to stay on my GPS waypoint with the downscan integrated into the 2d sonar i just like the view! So you see, even in your experiences that you deem it not valuable and a "gimmick" other people see it as another advantage. I know you will try to dispute this, but without idling past you spot with side imaging you would not see this but with the structure scan you would, I don't use marker bouys anymore I use my front sonar to keep me on my spots with a waypoint it draws less attention.