Hummingbird

[RetNav]

I have a chance to get a Hummingbird LCR 8000 unit from a dealer that I have gotten to know real well. It is an older unit but still new in the plastic wrap. The list price for this unit is over $1100 and he has said he would let me have it for $250. It sounds like a real good buy but my questions are: How old is this unit? Has the technology on the newer units, Garmin, Lowrance..etc far surpassed this old bird to the point that I would be better off getting something newer. <br /> Any information anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Hummingbird

In 1985 the first WIDE screen liquid crystal recorder, the LCR 8000, was developed by Humminbird. This breakthrough in enlarged screen technology spelled the beginning of the end for paper chart recorders. Another Humminbird innovation. <br /><br />Then in 1986, Humminbird saw its one millionth unit roll off the production line. <br /><br />The following year in 1987, Humminbird once again made history in the fishing industry. The introduction of the most exciting unit ever to hit the market, the LCR 4ID had customers literally standing in line to purchase it. "If it’s fish, it’s red" was the phrase that described the #1 product in the fishing and marine industry that year. The 4-ID set sales records and pushed Humminbird once again to the top of the marine electronics industry. <br />

I have the LCR-4ID on my desk at home. Might as well be a paperweight. The technology is very old. Will it work? Yes. Is it worth $250? No. Maybe to a collector being that it's in the original packaging and all. <br /><br />For $250 you can get a really nice modern unit. Go with that.

 

[RetNav]

Re: Hummingbird

Thanks for the response Steve. I have been also looking at the Garmin FF250C With dual freq transducer. It looks like it would do the job I am looking for. Do you know anything about that unit?

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Hummingbird

Looks like a nice unit with all the standard bells and whistles (color, fish alarms, df transducer, etc), and the going price for it seems to be around $400-$450 depending on where you look. I'd put one on my boat. I have an older humminbird, a wide 100 or something like that, can't remember exactly what it is right now, so I too will be in the market for an upgrade sometime soon. I see myself splurging on a color FF/GPS though. Just have to come up with that kind of cash first. <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[RetNav]

Re: Hummingbird

I have also been looking at the GPSMAP 178C INT W/Dual transducer at this site. Looks like a good unit for what I am trying to do.<br /> http://www.boatfix.com/elec/garmin1.asp

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Hummingbird

That's a nice unit. <br /><br />I have the GPSMAP 230 on my boat. Monochrome, it's a few years old and uses obsolete map chips you can't get anymore. Luckily I have the chips for my area already. Also does not use WAAS signal so it's not as accurate as the new ones.

 

[RetNav]

Re: Hummingbird

I think I will order that one and get it on board before the season starts. Appreciate your responses.

 

[Trent]

Re: Hummingbird

Iv got a GPS178c...Iv used it one time. The problem I had was sunlite on the screen. It did a great job when I could see it. I will know more this weekend when I use it agin. I used it on another guys boat and it was great..But it was overcast that day.. stay tuned..if your looking at this GPS/Sounder<br /><br />For your info..I paid 500.00 plus shipping on ebay.

 

[RetNav]

Re: Hummingbird

Thanks Trent, just in time as I checked this before ordering mine. I am not in any hurry, so please give me some feedback after this weekend.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Hummingbird

Yeah I agree with Trent, that's the "problem" with most if not all color displays. <br /><br />With a monochrome display, the brighter the sun the clearer the display will look. <br /><br />With a color display, the brighter the sun the nore faded the display will look. <br /><br />If you have a bimini or some other way to shade the unit that is optimal. Direct sunlight will make most displays hard to see. Just a little shade is all you need.

 

[RetNav]

Re: Hummingbird

I have a canvas top that is always up when I am out there fishing so whatever I get will be shaded. I have never used a color display so a real good mono one will work for me as that is what I am used to.