Humminbird or lowrance!

[Bbowen]

I am thinking about buying either a Humminbird 898 or HDS7 but just wanted to get some of yalls opinion first. any help would be great, thanks.

 

[Catfish 1]

HDS 7...get an HDS 8 (bigger screen, more buttons) with the Gen 2 bundle if the buget will allow...10 stars on my 7...talk to Cffer m17glock for bird info, he luv's em...

 

[Doug V]

I would take a ride with both and play with the operation of both units and select the unit that is right for you! In the end it is your money that you will be spending.

To me I really like the added features Humminbird Offers and the advanced Technology and Performance. To me the logical order and operation of the Menu System. IT's just easy to make the small changes that help me get the data I need to be successful. There are differences in technologies and one thing I like is the greater coverage of the 455kHz and added detail Humminbird shows especially in shallow water (Less than 10) but the Side Imaging performs equally or better even in deep waters. Also take into account standard features like 50 Channel with 4 X Per Second GPS Refresh Rate Standard Equipment, All in one unit, and one thing that we need more of is American Made Product. Humminbird Service and Manufacturing are in Eufuala, ALabama on the shores of Lake Eufuala. Engineering is in Atlanta, Georgia and owned by American Based Johnson Outdoors in Racine, Wisconsin. So your investment creates American Jobs and Keeps your Dollar in America! Oh and they have World Class Customer Support if you ever need it...heck just give them a call 800-633-1468 and ask them about the 898c product and take a test drive of Humminbird support.

 

[djsmarinelectronics]

I have customers that swear by both; can tell you the pros and cons of each manufacturer, but I think it just boils down to what you are used to using. Using both Humminbird and Lowrance customer service frequently I would give them both an A+ with a slight edge toward Humminbird. As a user, I prefer Lowrance.

 

[flpper]

Something to think about...... Academy Sports at Hamilton Place had a new 998 Si Hd for $1499 which is about $500 off list. Don't know if it was display model or if they had more. At any rate, that's a pretty good deal.

 

[flpper]

Another thing to think about; with a lowrance unit, to get side imaging one has to add the "structure scan" accessory. That equates to more dollars. So, although in my research (before I purchased the unit(s) I have) I looked hard at the Lowrance because the "head" unit was less expensive. I almost pulled the trigger; then I learned about the extra money to get the side imaging, and decided on the HB units that included SI. It was a wash on the price; within $20-$30. The closer was HB reputation for customer service.

 

[Red Bullet]

I've used Lowrance ever since I gave up the Super Sixty. BUT, Lately I think there warranty has been Sucking! They always tell me my unit has been discontinued when it goes out and want to sell me the latest and greatist at a so-called discount. Can anyone shed any light on how Hummingbird is treating people these days on repair and replacement?

 

[shiftworker]

ive used both.

lowrance gps and sonar is better. gps is way better
hummimgbird side imaging is a little beter.

i was amazed at how often the hbird kept losing its gps signal when i tried to stay lined up on a certain spot. i would have to troll the boat a few yards to get the gps to respond and by then id be off the mark to far..

 

[shiftworker]

both will get the job done tho

 

[flpper]

My buddy just sent his 788 in for servicing. It was out of warranty, and he wasn't too awfully excited about the minimum charge ($175), but said he sent it Monday, they got it Wednesday, he got it back Friday.

To be honest, the reason I even considered Lowrance was because of the image resolution and the (seemingly) lower price. But when I found out about the extra accessory to get SI, the price went back up to comparible with HB. Then I found many more folks like Doug V. who were willing to pass on tips and pointers about the HBs; you don't find that with the Lowrance. Plus, my buddy runs a 1197 SI so I have the added benefit of his experience. And a lot of Lowrance users have complained about customer service, and not many HB users do that.

 

[SNUFFY]

Bass Pro has the the spring sale starting next week. Get the Low Lss-1 for 449$ after 150$ rebate .....or get the Gen2 Low HDS-7 with the sidescan for 1399$ after 100$ rebate. I`m sure they`ll have some deals on HB too...But I`m a Lowrance guy.

 

[fishunt_lg]

bass pro is offering the lss 1 structure scan for 450.. saw an ad in the paper i got yesterday. +1 for lowrance

 

[Doug V]

Red Bullet - 2/16/2012 2:05 AM

I've used Lowrance ever since I gave up the Super Sixty. BUT, Lately I think there warranty has been Sucking! They always tell me my unit has been discontinued when it goes out and want to sell me the latest and greatist at a so-called discount. Can anyone shed any light on how Hummingbird is treating people these days on repair and replacement?

Humminbird Repairs versus replaces the unit. As a business owner of farm equipment dealership and service oriented person. Fixing the problem versus parts replacement is important to me. Many times the result of the problem is not part that is causing the concern. For Example...Unit Powers Down can be because of defect in power supply not a failure in the head unit. If a company replaces the heeadunit it does not solve the problem. But sending the head unit in and testing at the manufacture finds no issue then the customer needs to explore other options like installation or hardware accessories to resolve the concern. Plus the other thing I like about service centers that repair their own units they can learn from the failures and build better products and increase product quality from what they learn in the repair. Humminbird shoots for 36 hour turn around once the unit is received at Eufuala, Alabama Custumer Support Service Center. Some will be quicker and some will be longer but most of the time I hear from consumer that have had to use the services that the product was in shipping longer than it was at Eufuala. If you ship in Express Shipping Service examples - Next Day Air - it is returned Next Day Air. Out of Warranty units are a flat fee to repair and lookign at the list they extend way past the current product line-up. http://www.humminbird.com/FAQ.aspx?ContentId=1764 I see units that I started with Humminbird in 2003 still on the repair list.

 

[Bbowen]

Thanks for all the help. I'm gonna try to take a ride with both and see how I like them .

 

[Triton20xHarris]

Just go buy both of them and you can't go wrong

 

[Bbowen]

If u half it with me

 

[djsmarinelectronics]

$459 on an LSS1 after $150 rebate is not a good deal, nor is $1399 after $100 rebate. Check with me before you buy.