which fishfinder to purchase?

[erniebrown]

Dilemma: Our new TRACKER 17.5 w/60 Merc. came with a small Lowrance by the windshield, and a Hummingbird on the trolling motor. We would like to upgrade. Which is the best that will still fit to the rt. of windshield. Does it need to be a different brand from the trolling motor? Which is superior, Lowrance or Hummingbird? Thanks, Ernie Brown

 

[Oldman]

bird

 

[hippi97]

Ford vs Chevy.. You will have different opinions from different people. I went with humminbird and i`m very happy with it.

 

[erniebrown]

Is it OK to have 2 different Hummingbirds on the boat?

 

[brushhog]

get yourself a hds unit with a ram mount,you wont be disapointed!!

 

[erniebrown]

What does hds stand for?

 

[fischnrod]

http://www.humminbird.com/

 

[Mike Hernandez]

I have 2 birds on my boat. No problem. Would definitely recommend a ram mount, especially for the console unit.

 

[erniebrown]

Michael, what are the models of the 2 birds on your boat that don't have interference? Size of screens? If you were choosing again, what would you buy? Thanks, Ernie

 

[Mike Hernandez]

I have a 798c SI on the console and a 565 at the bow. What I'd like to do is move the 798 to the bow and buy a 998c SI for the console. But that's a pipe dream. I may just buy a color or a DI unit for the bow. I recently bought the HotMaps Premium East card and would love to have a bigger screen. Gotta pick up some side jobs to be able to afford though.

 

[Captain Hazmat]

Lowrance HDS

 

[Doug V]

Doesn't have to be different brand. I've run Dual Humminbirds for many years with no issues. Actually Humminbird has a Noise Filter that you can adjust if you get cross talk. Cross talk can happen even if you run different brands with the same frequency.

What find of features are you looking for and size of the unit or the model you are replacings?

For 5" Screens I would look at the 500 or 700 Series Humminbird. 500 Series are more economical because they are stand alone units - no networking. Do you want 2D Sonar, GPS Mapping, Down Imaging, Color? These will help suggest models. Also do you have a max budget?

 

[Mike Hernandez]

The 798 is on sale at Cabellas.com for $800.00. Free shipping.

 

[T Roy]

Hummingbird all the way

 

[erniebrown]

Do we think that an 1100 series Hummingbird with that 10.4 inch screen is an overkill for a TRACKER 17.5 foot boat, if mounted on a Ram Mount? Provided it would fit, is it really an advantage having all that screen space compared to an 8" or 7"? Thanks to all who have chimed in here.

 

[Mike Hernandez]

Taking into consideration that we're CFF brothers, im willing to make the sacrifice and try it out on my Tracker. Let me know when you have it ready for me to pick up . Lol.

 

[Doug V]

I know a guy that has two 1198c on a tracker. I'll see if I can find his picture or have him stop by and post them. The bigger the screen the easier it is to see the small details. Get the biggest screen you can afford is my recommendation.

 

[trbass]

I got the 1197si on my bullet it,s awesome.

 

[erniebrown]

I posted this on the wrong thread at first, but I wanted to tell all who chimed in here that today we pulled the trigger and ordered a Hummingbird 998ci HD SI Combo for the console and a 798c SI Combo for the front tolling motor. We (Frogthrower and I) will install the console on a RAM Mount, as advised. Thanks again for the comments.