OK, I have been a Lowrance guy as long as I have been running electronics. The new boat is ordered and I am interested in what the new Humminbirds have to offer. I know nothing about them and am having a really tuff time finding someone who does, who doesn’t have an agenda. What are your feelings on the two in reguards to pros and cons of either. Thanks 
Lakemaster will eventually make its way to Nebraska. I would stick with Lowrance.
I have a friend that just picked 1 up and I went out with him the unit is neat but the manual is 600 pages!!!??? and it did not seem very easy to run.
I have also asked at my local Cabelas and I cant find anyone their that can make it work and they have been trained???
I think they will be great if you can learn how to use it.But I am holding off till they can make it easier to work with.
One thing for sure you know what you will get with Lowrance
Good luck
Heard anything about Raymarine?
I love the side scan options on the Humminbird. I find it easy to run after playing with it for a little while. The only part that I have had trouble with is using a lakemap in the unit…but I am checking up on that.
It all comes out to your preference in the end.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging/
check out this site, If I upgrade electronics I am definitly looking at the Bird
I have an older Humminbird (Matrix 67) and a Lowrance 332. After using both units for 2 seasons, I beleive the Humminbird is more user friendly. I bought the 332 because my 67 would not accept map chips with 1″ contours.It’s hard to compare the units because the 67 is B&W. I like both units but the lowrance loses bottom more often and will pick up intereference from the Humminbird. The Humminbird does not pick up interfeence from the Lowrance. If buying today, I would probably lean toward Humminbird.
Zack, I should have the 997SI by the end of the month and I will let you know what I think. I have played with them in the stores and they seem pretty easy to work with. There is a little learning curve since I’ve dealt with the Lowrance menu for 10+ years. You can set up shortcut keys to get to your favorite screens, similar to how you set your favorite radio stations in your car, which make it easier. The only part I am concerned with is getting the transducer mounted in a good location. I plan to have it set up before heading down to Lake Amistad the end of the month. I’ll have a good week with this unit and will write up a little review of what I thought of if.
Jason
Thanks Guyz and the 997 or the 957 look appealing to me so a review would be much appreciated Jason 
Zach, I am on my Second year running Humminbird have not had any issues. I am very happy with the units I have ran thuss far. Next year will be the first year I am running the side scan units.
HUMMINBIRD. I would be willing to bet that in the near future–you will see used lowrance units flooding the market. I had the 787 on my last boat and put a 997si on the one I have now. Both units give an incredible picture on the screen. The screen is clear and leaves little guess work. Running the unit is pretty basic, and as you get to know how to use it–well it becomes incredable. The screen size is great. Check the yahoo link the photos show the truth–If you buy a lowrance–I am willing to bet it will be on Ebay as soon as you see someone else running this BIRD. BTW I was out this moring for an hour and just trolled around the lake for fun. Then back to work. You can buy the right unit the first time or you can always wonder why you didn’t. The only issue I have with the HB is the size of the transducer and getting it set up right. Once you get past that your set!!
I agree with Welch1 100%. The Hummingbird units are ahead of Lowrance. Especially, in customer service. So many of us had trouble with Lowrance, trying to get the correct version of the software to run in deep or shallow water. H-bird has excellent customer support!!
The H-bird is easy to operate. Good luck in your selection, Zach. I would reccomend taking a serious look at the H-bird units.
Brad
After working with Lowrance, is it tough to pick up the operations of the HB’s? How hard is it to get used to the SI? It is a whole different mind-set, right? 
I’m not your average user but I love my Humminbird 997. The hardest part is getting the transducer on right, but other than that you’d learn quick.
Here’s a project I was working on today thinking towards ice fishing. Its the channel in Forest Lake at Willow point. I’ve haven’t got that much done as I’m still refining the process but its doing nothing but getting better.
My latest project with the side scan
WarrenMN
Zach–I by no means work for HB. To be told I am a Mr. Mom. I get out for little spurts here and there (not like Docfrigo) I started with the 787 to see how HB was before making the $2K investment. Well the 787 was a great little unit. The 997si is just over the TOP. Even if you did not use the SI–this unit still IMO outperforms lowrance with the detail and color in the screen. The bottom color is distinctive and changes with the slightest variance. The weeds show distinct marks–I bought this unit because I don’t get out on a regular basis and looked at this purchase as my “heads-up” on the water.
I will sell my boat for another, but I wont be selling the 997si with it 
Zach
Did you order a Tuffy? If so what are you getting? Color etc….
Zach, Jason’s 997C SI is on the way and he should have a report for you soon. Most of the reports I get back from people suggest that the 997C is an incredible unit. I can’t give my opinion on it because I haven’t run one myself. As you know, I run Lowrance, but I have heard good things about the new humminbirds.
Quote:
Zach
Did you order a Tuffy? If so what are you getting? Color etc….
Gunmetal and white 1890 with the full windshield. I am not yet 100% sure if I am going with the 175 or the 200 Suzuki, 9.9 Suzuki, 80# Terrova, 38HD and 27C or HB. I can’t wait but need to get mine sold soon 
So I make sure I get this, on the SI’s you can use the SI or traditional view?
yep, but this JPG doesn’t do it justice. You can also use it split screen.
WarrenMN
Zach, I am looking for ways to dump my Lowrance and getting the Bird, but I have the CP to get around
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and wonders when you are migrating north? Maybe that hummingbird unit should migrate north too–see what it does for vertical jigging this fall.