Hummingbird vs Lowrance vs Garmin

I apologize if this has been debated a million times before. I am in the market for a new locator for my 1850 Crestliner Sprotfish this summer. I am looking at spending around $1500 or so. I have decided on either the Helix 9 Chirp Mega SI+ GPS 4 G EN $1499 or the Elite FS 9 with Active Imaging 3-in-1. $1199 I currently have a Hook 7 with GPS but it does not have side or down imaging. Side and down imaging is what I am looking to upgrade to. And it must have GPS.

So my question is which would you buy and why? Is it really Chevy vs Ford or is one really that much better?

Also, I know nothing about the Garmin Finders.

Thank you for your input. I plan to find a good deal this spring and buy one and have it installed before the opener.

Rick Z

Rick, are you familiar with one of the operating systems? I have found that if you are already familiar with one of them it might be best to stick with that one.

Also, if you use a minn kota electric motor it’s kinda nice to sync up with humminbird.

It depends on if you want to add livescope or something similar. They all have their advantages and disadvantages.

Humminbird mapping and mega siding imaging is nice. You can link to minn kota trolling motor.

Garmin you can create your own maps and you can add panoptix or livescope. Their side imaging is pretty close to Humminbird

I’ve used all three and all are good. I’d say choose the one that pairs with your trolling motor if that is important to you.

I’m currently running Humminbird for mapping and side imaging. Garmin on the bow for Livescope.

If starting from scratch I’d probably go all Garmin now.

I’ve run birds and now have garmin. Side, down and mapping are comparable imho. Some guys will say bird side imaging is superior but I didn’t see a difference.

The difference is livescope. If you want that, go with Garmin. If not, look for the best deals you can find.

Wait till spring and check out everyone’s new units. Everyone will have a livescope version this spring. I have used all three and all three brands have pros and cons. As far as technology they will all be visually more equal this spring. For me it comes down to ease of use operating systems and I like a touch screen. And of course a good deal.

They are all good,but Garmin will get you there faster for settings.Best for ease of use.Humminbird for power and clarity.Lowrance CS seems to be falling.

gimruis wrote:

Rick, are you familiar with one of the operating systems? I have found that if you are already familiar with one of them it might be best to stick with that one.

Also, if you use a minn kota electric motor it’s kinda nice to sync up with humminbird.

I agree with this 100%. I upgraded from a HB 797c2 to Helix 10 and learning curve was dramatically shorter.

I sold my hummingbirds and now run all garmins. I enjoy the simple use and easy adjustments. I ran a 93 and 73sv but now have 2 93sv units in my closet waiting to be installed. Might be willing to part with one still in the box for 600. No tax

Sylvanboat wrote:

I agree with this 100%. I upgraded from a HB 797c2 to Helix 10 and learning curve was dramatically shorter.

I’ve been using a Lowrance since I started fishing 22 years ago. That’s a big reason why I continue to use them. I’m very familiar with their operating system and features.

Thanks everyone. I currently have a Lowrance hook 7 by the drivers counsel and a hummingbird Helix 7 up front that runs off the trolling motor. Neither have side or down imaging. The Lowrance has GPS the Bird doesn’t.

I like the thought of linking the trolling motor to the locator.

Bear, with the 93sv all I would need to buy is the Panoptix transducer? I looked they are like $1400. But that would give me the 360 imaging?
I def need to do more research!

I run all Humminbird in my boat mostly because it had a factory glassed in 2d transducer already installed and I was already familiar with Humminbird and because at the time their Side Imaging was the best, fast forward 7 years and all 3 brands are very comparable. I also built a Livescope Echomap93 setup for ice fishing and running at the bow of my boat in the summer. I’ve thought of going all Garmin to utilize 1 screen for winter and summer, but I love the flexibility having the Livescope portable setup offers in terms of using it in friends boats or even off a dock. I also dont like the idea of possibly cutting the $1,500 livescope wire when stowing the trolling motor.

My point being, you can run a mixture of brands and build the best setup for how you like to fish.

I would hold off on making a decision until AFTER the Bassmaster’s Classic to see what the new models will look like, we could see some game changers!

PM Sent

PM Sent

Bearcat89 wrote:

I sold my hummingbirds and now run all garmins. I enjoy the simple use and easy adjustments. I ran a 93 and 73sv but now have 2 93sv units in my closet waiting to be installed. Might be willing to part with one still in the box for 600. No tax

Hi Bear
Are you interested in selling the Garmins still?

Thanks!

Rick

I have used Lowrance products in the past but I have not followed their offerings recently. I had switched to Humminbird at one point in time and more recently started using Garmin as well.

It looks like the side view of the Humminbird was slightly better than the Garmin. I say was because with Garmin’s newer 56 transducer these should be comparable.

Pairing your Humminbird to the trolling motor has added features. The follow the contour feature sounds great in theory but I do not believe that their mapping data is accurate/precise enough to benefit greatly from it. I also prefer to have greater control of the boat then using this feature. And with the current price premium that Minn Kota is charging for the extra Link feature it is easier to walk away.