looking to get a new combo chart/fish finder Lowrance,HumminBird

[jerseydevil]

looking to get a new combo unit. Most of them come pre loadebut do you also need to get a lake view or river card to see details? The Lowrance Elite series seem to be the most user friendly. Haven't checked the HumminBirds out but the Garmins aren't user friendly at all. What's every ones opinions?

 

[Georgesalmon]

For navigation most have enough info already preloaded. But,,,if you want/need more detail or any fishing info you'll have to get a card. I have had them all and I am partial to Hummingbird these days, just got a 998 Hummer with all the bells and whistles and I really love it. We have two boats that are used mostly one at a time, one for Lake Michigan and the other for everything else. So we bought an extra mount and transducer and swap the head from boat to boat to save cost. I have friends with Lowrance and they are happy too.

 

[jerseydevil]

Thanks for the info GeoSalmon. Appreciate it.

 

[roscoe]

New Humminbird Helix 7 is pretty awesome. Still learning to use it.
Screen is HD and very bright.

Larger 8" an 11" ? are coming out soon.

Yes you will need a map chip if you want bottom contours'


Fyi, if you want ( or need ) a Lakemaster chip, then you must buy a Humminbird. They no longer work in Lowrance units.

 

[Alumarine]

Both Lowrance and Humminbird often bundle them with chips at a good price.
I like that the chips provide depth, which for me is critical.
I find bigger is better for navigating at speed.

 

[jerseydevil]

Thanks Marc still doing some comparison shopping but I think i'm gonna go w/ lowrance Elite 5 CHIRP or the Elite 7 CHIRP?

 

[Alumarine]

Bigger is better...

 

[ondarvr]

Lowrance is not that easy to use, and the manual is almost useless, it works well, but you need to learn how to navigate the menu's first.

Garmin is easy, Humminbird is in between.

Lowrance has terrible customer service when there's an issue, I haven't had an issue with mine, but those that do complain about it a great deal.

The standard maps in the Lowrance are pretty good, the up graded chip had the same detail, only covered a larger region, I got it but never use it.

 

[Alumarine]

Lowrance is not that easy to use, and the manual is almost useless, it works well, but you need to learn how to navigate the menu's first.

Garmin is easy, Humminbird is in between.

Lowrance has terrible customer service when there's an issue, I haven't had an issue with mine, but those that do complain about it a great deal.

The standard maps in the Lowrance are pretty good, the up graded chip had the same detail, only covered a larger region, I got it but never use it.

Just curious, do the standard maps show depths?

 

[ondarvr]

Just curious, do the standard maps show depths?

Most were identical to the upgrade, and yes if the lake had been mapped it showed depth. Not all lakes have been mapped though.

 

[jerseydevil]

Lowrance is not that easy to use, and the manual is almost useless, it works well, but you need to learn how to navigate the menu's first.

Garmin is easy, Humminbird is in between.

Lowrance has terrible customer service when there's an issue, I haven't had an issue with mine, but those that do complain about it a great deal.

The standard maps in the Lowrance are pretty good, the up graded chip had the same detail, only covered a larger region, I got it but never use it.

Good to know about the customer service isssue & the upgrade chip. I looked at the Garmin demo & the screens/menu weren't too user friendly i thought?