Changing from Lowrance to Humminbirds. Change my mind.

[Kickerfish]

Im about to upgrade my graphs and I am pretty sure I am going with a Helix's. Im gonna run a Mega at the console and a GPS/Chirp up front. I am currently running Lowrance HDS 9 and 7, both second generation with an LSS2 and structure box. (which all of this will be for sale).

Any words of wisdom, encouragement, etc from you guys before making the switch? This seems like a big deal to me as I have never done it before. I am loving the detail you get off of the Mega units.

(If any dealers of these products would like my business, shoot me a PM as I do not know where I am purchasing these yet)

Thanks guys.

 

[Tn bullet]

Johnny at dj marine and electronics what is the main reason your are swapping the mapping is def better in the bird but di and si are better on Lowrance! IMO both have plus and neg and both do so much more than most people know how to use I was going to get a bird and add to my lowrance for mapping! Lowrance is supposed to have cmap card out soon though and may be even better than lake master

 

[Kickerfish]

I agree with you on the mapping part. They look amazing. I personally thought the DI SI looked better on birds as well but I am currently using a Gen 2 with the Structure scan box that has its share of miles on it.

 

[Volfish]

Johnny will treat you right, I bought a hummingbird and a minn kota. He beat everyones price and he is local.

 

[Kickerfish]

Does he install?

 

[Tn bullet]

Could be settings on your lowrance

 

[FishingwithRusty]

youre going to love how easy the birds are to use, very intuitive. the mapping and imaging are GREAT!!!! oh and the 360.........

as for the install, not that hard to do yourself but if youre not comfortable then id let your dealer do it.

 

[Kickerfish]

I thought about getting the 360 for the trolling motor but I have an Ulterra. I could probably find my way around the boat and get it done but as far as doing it right, I'd like someone to do it that has done it before.

 

[FishingwithRusty]

Kickerfish - 3/29/2018 12:28 PM

I thought about getting the 360 for the trolling motor but I have an Ulterra. I could probably find my way around the boat and get it done but as far as doing it right, I'd like someone to do it that has done it before.

they make a 360 mount for ultrex and have to imagine there is a mount for the ulterra as well

 

[jb366]

Make the jump. You'll see stuff with the mega that you never knew was there with the lowrance. Cumberland crappie have a 360 mount for the ulterra. Its not cheap though

 

[beetlespin]

Mapping and SI better on the birds. That being said, I switched from HDS9&12 to Helix 12 Mega and Helix 10 and it’s not worth the money to switch.

 

[Kickerfish]

beetlespin - 3/29/2018 3:02 PM

Mapping and SI better on the birds. That being said, I switched from HDS9&12 to Helix 12 Mega and Helix 10 and it’s not worth the money to switch.

Which Generation of HDS did you switch from? What your thoughts on why its not worth the switch?

 

[Oldman]

make the switch you wont regret it.(and is made in the USA.)

 

[Tn bullet]

The only reason to switch would be for mapping lowrance imaging is much better if you know how to set the settings if the cmap card will come out it may be than lake master from what I’m hearing if it’s not time sensitive what a month see if the card comes out either way go see Johnny at dj

 

[beetlespin]

I switched from Gen2. The birds are fine but not worth the money over what you have.

 

[Labman]

You might consider that ALL sonar, DI and SI imaging in birds was licensed from Lowrance/ navionics Just my 2 cents.

Regards, Labman

 

[beetlespin]

Labman - 3/29/2018 10:33 PM

You might consider that ALL sonar, DI and SI imaging in birds was licensed from Lowrance/ navionics Just my 2 cents.

Regards, Labman

Not true. Humminbird had side imaging long before Lowrance. Lowrance had to license from Humminbird.

 

[31airborne]

I made the same switch 12 years ago and haven't looked back or regretted it one bit. Detail, resolution, and user interfaces on the HB are way better than Lowrance. You will especially love the detail that comes w/ CHIRP. Lots of enhancements w/ the gen 3 products - be sure to compare w/ the gen 2 capabilities to fully appreciate what you're getting. I have a new sled on the way. Am configuring mine the same way you plan to set yours up. The Lakemaster map cards have the best detail out there. They have limited coverage right now but they're adding new rivers/lakes all the time. Final note - Lowrance lost me when Linda Colt left. She was the best ever at customer service. Things changed after she left. HB has superb customer service. Many terrific on-line assets for learning about, getting the most from your new units.

 

[Oldman]

ditto

 

[porthos33]

Ive used both and they seem to show the same thing. Sonar, mapping, SI,DI. They both do the same things too. I can see what I'm looking at even on the cheaper units. I think we as anglers over complicate it. It's crazy how much some of these units are compared to smart TV's, computers, and used cars. Heck the new units are more expensive than my boat that comes equipped with everything. The reason I went with Birds was b/c they were cheaper and Lakemaster was more detailed.