Humminbird vs Lowrance: Who Makes The Better Fish Finder???
May 20, 2021 02:42:33 #
Ron620DVS
Loc: Guntersville Alabama
.
đŁđŚ
Humminbird vs Lowrance: Who Makes The Better Fish Finder?
Last Updated on March 2, 2021 by Virgil Renfroe;
In the battle of fish finder supremacy, there are two brands that seem to overtake the rest. Weâre comparing Humminbird vs Lowrance in this review because these are the two manufacturers with the most products of the highest quality and the most relevant reputation in the market.
Iâve likely reviewed at least 25 fish finders by this point and many of them have been either Humminbird or Lowrance so Iâm interested to see how they look side-by-side. Letâs get right into it!
Humminbird vs Lowrance:
Letâs do a side-by-side comparison of Humminbird versus Lowrance so you can see how the two stack up. The best way to do this is by comparing them right up against each other so you can determine which brand offers more bang for the buck.
Company History:
Weâll start with company history and reputation. If you read any of my reviews you know that I stay loyal and true to brands when it comes to fishing gear. I donât believe these rules should apply in everything but thereâs a lot of experience and knowledge that goes into manufacturing fishing gear, technology, and accessories. I think itâs best left to the most experienced brands like Humminbird, Lowrance, Garmin, Simrad, and Raymarine.
HUMMINBIRD:
The company started in 1971 in a garage in Alabama. Right off the bat, they were a hit because they represented a lot of the grassroots and hometown history that we struggle to find in todayâs society.
Humminbird led the way with technological advances by being the first manufacturer to develop a waterproof depth sounder and 360-degree sonar technology. Their product line has since grown to include tremendous products like down and side imaging fish finders, huge HD displays, and new technology that continues to make fishing easier and more pleasurable.
Even after all that, theyâve still managed to maintain a reputation of family values and homegrown roots. Their customer service team has an excellent reputation, they stand by their products, and represent their warranties when something goes wrong.
LOWRANCE:
Lowrance got its start in 1957 and theyâve maintained a rightful leadership in marine electronics ever since. They have a large assortment of fish finders and sonar with many products possessing new technology like structure scanning, down scanning, and side-scanning.
In 2008, they were the first company ever to introduce a split-screen HD multifunction setting on their fish finders. Now you can have both side and down scanning on the screen in HD clarity which is something the world had never seen before.
Lowrance was also one of the first manufacturers to bring CHIRP sonar into the market. Itâs clear that Lowrance has led the competition in new technology but I struggle when I read reviews about how they treat their customers. I find many instances where the company doesnât stand by their products, wonât honor warranties, and even gives their customers a hard time on the support line.
Features:
The number of features a fish finder offers is important because it helps you determine if youâre getting enough for your money. While many of the features are a little extra and we could certainly fish without them; if youâre dropping a decent amount of money on something you want to make sure it provides enough to make it worth it.
HUMMINBIRD:
This company is known for packing a lot of features into all their products. You can start at the bottom with a basic CHIRP sonar and travel all the way up to a down scan, side imaging, dual display combo, GPS unit, with the works.
Some of their more high-end models also offer a variety of ways for you to connect. Many anglers prefer wired connections while others want something that connects via Bluetooth. Thatâs up to you but I recommend using a wired connection if you can because itâs more reliable. If you need a portable fish finder, wireless is the only way to go.
LOWRANCE:
One thing I notice right away about Lowrance is the number of cheap fish finders they offer. I donât say this in a bad way, I say it in a good way. They offer a large assortment of smaller and more affordable fish finders which I think is important.
Much of the time we get too caught up in how many features our products have that we neglect to realize that they only need to do one thing. They need to tell us where the fish are so we can have an easier time catching them.
When you have a fish finder thatâs loaded with a ton of features, all youâre doing is creating new things that can break down and cause problems.
That said, Lowrance offers plenty of features as well including down scanning and something they call âStructureScan.â This is a fancy way of saying they have sidescan.
Number of Products:
humminbird vs lowrance screen;
The number of products offered by a manufacturer is important for a few reasons. You want to be able to find something that caters to your needs and if the company doesnât offer a lot of variations of a single product, your chances of getting what you want go down. Keep in mind preferences, taste, and fishing style as well.
HUMMINBIRD:
Humminbird has continued to push forward over the years while it seems like Lowrance is nearing retirement. At one time, Lowrance was the biggest on the market but Humminbird has definitely surpassed them in terms of the number of products.
Something else I really like about Humminbird is that they donât reinvent the wheel. They take products they have that are already selling and they modify them slightly, add a few new features, and send them back out into the market.
That tells me two things. One, people already like that product so thereâs no need to change much. Two, the product is performing well because they donât feel the need to completely discontinue production on it. Some of the models youâll see in the market are the Helix 5, Helix 9, Helix 10, Solix, ICE, C-Map and PiranhaMAX.
LOWRANCE:
Lowrance offers three major product lines. They have the Hook, Elite, and HDS Live. The Lowrance Hook is their most popular model among recreational anglers and youâll find a few variations within as well.
Personally, I donât dislike the Lowrance model, Iâm just not as impressed by it. I feel that it lacks definition, the quality feels cheaper, and the price is actually more expensive in many cases.
Budget Friendliness:
We only have so much money to spend and the last thing we want to do is spend it on a product that might not even help us catch any fish. Weâd be better off spending it on lessons! Anyway, the price range of a fish finder is important because you want to get the most bang for your buck and not waste money on something that is going to consistently underwhelm you.
HUMMINBIRD:
As with most products from competitors, they specifically match the prices pretty evenly to prevent the price from becoming a deciding factor. This means I have to dive a little deeper to find the value versus the price. If we look at Lowrance vs Humminbird weâll see that Humminbird products consistently outrank Lowrance in terms of reviews and reputation.
The average score of a Humminbird fish finder is near 4.5 out of 5 while Lowrance ranks considerably lower.
Another thing I noticed is that Humminbird seems to offer better features in lower-priced fish finders.
For example, the Humminbird Helix 7 offers three types of sonar technology for roughly $750 while youâll have to pay nearly $1,000 to get that same technology from Lowrance.
LOWRANCE:
Itâs not all bad and Iâm not by any means saying you should count this manufacturer out. They do a lot of great things and they keep many of their fish finders at price ranges that Humminbird cannot match.
For example, the Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 uses SplitShot sonar technology and comes with mapping for a price that beats Humminbird and exceeds them in reputation. The key is to pick and choose which products are their high-performers and which ones you might want to avoid.
Ease of Use fish finder on a boat:
Ease of use is obviously important because weâre not all the most tech-savvy and you shouldnât need a college degree to operate a fish finder. As technology continues to advance, theyâre making the units more and more difficult to operate and fewer people are able to keep up. As Iâve previously mentioned, you donât need the latest and greatest features to find fish but you do need to know how to use the fish finder.
HUMMINBIRD:
I think Humminbird does a nice job of providing variety in terms of the units they offer. Some are easy to use while others are a bit more difficult but youâll have to choose a basic model if you want something without all the bells and whistles. Of course, as you increase in features you make the unit more complicated and ultimately will find something that you donât know how to use.
Where I think Humminbird succeeds is with their customer service. Everything you read about this company praises their customer support helpline and how theyâre so helpful in answering questions and handling inquiries. Thatâs an important consideration.
LOWRANCE:
As with Humminbird, Lowrance also does a nice job of providing product variations to keep things simple for people. What I like about these products is the number of units offered with push buttons rather than a touchscreen. I donât think anyone wants to use a touchscreen when your fingers are all grimy and fishy and the regular buttons are easier to use.
The area where Lowrance fails is with their customer service. As you read about this company you realize that many of their complaints stem from the customer support people experience when they call in for help.
GPS/Mapping Capabilities:
GPS and mapping are features that are becoming more essential as fish-finding technology advances. In this fish finder comparison, we want to see who offers better GPS, Humminbird, or Lowrance?
HUMMINBIRD:
This company offers both GPS and chart plotter on many of their fish finders. A variety of the units come with preloaded maps of lakes so you can map where youâve been and where youâd like to go again as you make your way around the lake.
It looks like youâll have to pay around $300 or more to get a fish finder with GPS and mapping in it. Thatâs not too bad and right around where weâd expect. As for the technology itself, as you couldâve guessed, itâs state of the art.
You can track your location, drop dots on the map of places youâd like to revisit, monitor your speed to help with trolling, and a variety of other things. It seems like itâs functional, easy to use, and doesnât break down that often either.
LOWRANCE:
Lowrance also offers GPS and mapping technology on their fish finders. For this, youâll have to pay around the same price as the Humminbird. Most of their GPS units will run you around $300 but Iâm a bit disappointed by the mapping on their units.
They use a blank white screen that requires you to input your own design and shape of the lake and you can draw it up that way. This is the same as using a paint feature on your phone and it doesnât really help that much.
To get real mapping, you need to upgrade to a more expensive model which then puts the pricing comparison in Humminbirdâs favor.
Lowrance Side Imaging vs Humminbird Side Imaging:
This comparison comes up a lot and itâs rather subjective to the individual unit but Iâll try and clarify this as much as possible. If I had to pick Humminbird or Lowrance I would pick Humminbird for a few different reasons.
First, Humminbird premium units use a lot less power which results in your either sucking less life out of your battery or using fewer batteries.
I also find that Humminbird offers a lot more features built into their side imaging compared to Lowrance. You get the fastest refresh rate on the market, ethernet sharing, a dedicated DI, variable bandwidth, and a âmade in the USAâ stamp that you can carry with pride.
Overall, Lowrance structure scan vs Humminbird side imaging isnât really much of a debate. Humminbird produces a better product and I think itâs because theyâre actively looking for new technology and ways to develop their products. Lowrance could be headed for the hills.
Advantages of Lowrance:
A large variety of affordable units
Long company history
High-quality imaging
Disadvantages of Lowrance
Poor customer service
Expensive premium options
Sub-par side imaging
Advantages of Humminbird
Made in the USA
Great customer service
More affordable mid-range units
Great side scan
Disadvantages of Humminbird
More expensive low-grade options
As you can see, Iâm impressed by Humminbird, and doing a side-by-side comparison was a great way to realize that their products exceed expectations. That said, there are plenty of reasons to love Lowrance and we still think they put out a vast assortment of quality units. Each company has its own set of pros and cons.
Best Options From Each Brand
HUMMINBIRD HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI
Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP MDI
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Humminbird
Type: Down Imaging
Display: 7.0â
CHECK LATEST PRICE >>
This fish finder features a seven-inch LCD screen with a color TFT display. IT comes with down imaging up to 125 feet with Dual Spectrum CHIRP to ensure you get a consistent flow of images that arenât choppy or reduced quality.
It comes with two different display modes which is nice because you donât have to have the screen all cluttered up with things you donât want. You can show water depth, temperature, and turbulence on one screen and then flip back over to the real-time image to zero in on your target. It comes with a micro SD card slot to hold all your data as well.
This unit also comes with Humminbirdâs proprietary GPS and mapping technology. It features all the hardware, mounting, and transducer items youâll need to get it mounted and on the water. You can use this premium fish finder in both freshwater and saltwater.
LOWRANCE HOOK2:
Lowrance HOOK2
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: HOOK2
Type: Down and Side Imaging
Display: 5.0â
CHECK LATEST PRICE >>
This model is a perfect example of something I said about Lowrance. Their products are great but they come at a premium price if you expect to get anything good. Thatâs definitely the case with the HOOK2.
The fish finder is amazing. It features some of the best mapping technology Iâve ever seen, it has inland maps installed, itâs easy to use...
Please click on link for additional information, Thank You.
https://yourbassguy.com/humminbird-vs-lowrance/
Ron620DVSđŁđđ đ¸đŚ
đŁđŚ
.
đŁđŚ
Humminbird vs Lowrance: Who Makes The Better Fish Finder?
Last Updated on March 2, 2021 by Virgil Renfroe;
In the battle of fish finder supremacy, there are two brands that seem to overtake the rest. Weâre comparing Humminbird vs Lowrance in this review because these are the two manufacturers with the most products of the highest quality and the most relevant reputation in the market.
Iâve likely reviewed at least 25 fish finders by this point and many of them have been either Humminbird or Lowrance so Iâm interested to see how they look side-by-side. Letâs get right into it!
Humminbird vs Lowrance:
Letâs do a side-by-side comparison of Humminbird versus Lowrance so you can see how the two stack up. The best way to do this is by comparing them right up against each other so you can determine which brand offers more bang for the buck.
Company History:
Weâll start with company history and reputation. If you read any of my reviews you know that I stay loyal and true to brands when it comes to fishing gear. I donât believe these rules should apply in everything but thereâs a lot of experience and knowledge that goes into manufacturing fishing gear, technology, and accessories. I think itâs best left to the most experienced brands like Humminbird, Lowrance, Garmin, Simrad, and Raymarine.
HUMMINBIRD:
The company started in 1971 in a garage in Alabama. Right off the bat, they were a hit because they represented a lot of the grassroots and hometown history that we struggle to find in todayâs society.
Humminbird led the way with technological advances by being the first manufacturer to develop a waterproof depth sounder and 360-degree sonar technology. Their product line has since grown to include tremendous products like down and side imaging fish finders, huge HD displays, and new technology that continues to make fishing easier and more pleasurable.
Even after all that, theyâve still managed to maintain a reputation of family values and homegrown roots. Their customer service team has an excellent reputation, they stand by their products, and represent their warranties when something goes wrong.
LOWRANCE:
Lowrance got its start in 1957 and theyâve maintained a rightful leadership in marine electronics ever since. They have a large assortment of fish finders and sonar with many products possessing new technology like structure scanning, down scanning, and side-scanning.
In 2008, they were the first company ever to introduce a split-screen HD multifunction setting on their fish finders. Now you can have both side and down scanning on the screen in HD clarity which is something the world had never seen before.
Lowrance was also one of the first manufacturers to bring CHIRP sonar into the market. Itâs clear that Lowrance has led the competition in new technology but I struggle when I read reviews about how they treat their customers. I find many instances where the company doesnât stand by their products, wonât honor warranties, and even gives their customers a hard time on the support line.
Features:
The number of features a fish finder offers is important because it helps you determine if youâre getting enough for your money. While many of the features are a little extra and we could certainly fish without them; if youâre dropping a decent amount of money on something you want to make sure it provides enough to make it worth it.
HUMMINBIRD:
This company is known for packing a lot of features into all their products. You can start at the bottom with a basic CHIRP sonar and travel all the way up to a down scan, side imaging, dual display combo, GPS unit, with the works.
Some of their more high-end models also offer a variety of ways for you to connect. Many anglers prefer wired connections while others want something that connects via Bluetooth. Thatâs up to you but I recommend using a wired connection if you can because itâs more reliable. If you need a portable fish finder, wireless is the only way to go.
LOWRANCE:
One thing I notice right away about Lowrance is the number of cheap fish finders they offer. I donât say this in a bad way, I say it in a good way. They offer a large assortment of smaller and more affordable fish finders which I think is important.
Much of the time we get too caught up in how many features our products have that we neglect to realize that they only need to do one thing. They need to tell us where the fish are so we can have an easier time catching them.
When you have a fish finder thatâs loaded with a ton of features, all youâre doing is creating new things that can break down and cause problems.
That said, Lowrance offers plenty of features as well including down scanning and something they call âStructureScan.â This is a fancy way of saying they have sidescan.
Number of Products:
humminbird vs lowrance screen;
The number of products offered by a manufacturer is important for a few reasons. You want to be able to find something that caters to your needs and if the company doesnât offer a lot of variations of a single product, your chances of getting what you want go down. Keep in mind preferences, taste, and fishing style as well.
HUMMINBIRD:
Humminbird has continued to push forward over the years while it seems like Lowrance is nearing retirement. At one time, Lowrance was the biggest on the market but Humminbird has definitely surpassed them in terms of the number of products.
Something else I really like about Humminbird is that they donât reinvent the wheel. They take products they have that are already selling and they modify them slightly, add a few new features, and send them back out into the market.
That tells me two things. One, people already like that product so thereâs no need to change much. Two, the product is performing well because they donât feel the need to completely discontinue production on it. Some of the models youâll see in the market are the Helix 5, Helix 9, Helix 10, Solix, ICE, C-Map and PiranhaMAX.
LOWRANCE:
Lowrance offers three major product lines. They have the Hook, Elite, and HDS Live. The Lowrance Hook is their most popular model among recreational anglers and youâll find a few variations within as well.
Personally, I donât dislike the Lowrance model, Iâm just not as impressed by it. I feel that it lacks definition, the quality feels cheaper, and the price is actually more expensive in many cases.
Budget Friendliness:
We only have so much money to spend and the last thing we want to do is spend it on a product that might not even help us catch any fish. Weâd be better off spending it on lessons! Anyway, the price range of a fish finder is important because you want to get the most bang for your buck and not waste money on something that is going to consistently underwhelm you.
HUMMINBIRD:
As with most products from competitors, they specifically match the prices pretty evenly to prevent the price from becoming a deciding factor. This means I have to dive a little deeper to find the value versus the price. If we look at Lowrance vs Humminbird weâll see that Humminbird products consistently outrank Lowrance in terms of reviews and reputation.
The average score of a Humminbird fish finder is near 4.5 out of 5 while Lowrance ranks considerably lower.
Another thing I noticed is that Humminbird seems to offer better features in lower-priced fish finders.
For example, the Humminbird Helix 7 offers three types of sonar technology for roughly $750 while youâll have to pay nearly $1,000 to get that same technology from Lowrance.
LOWRANCE:
Itâs not all bad and Iâm not by any means saying you should count this manufacturer out. They do a lot of great things and they keep many of their fish finders at price ranges that Humminbird cannot match.
For example, the Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 uses SplitShot sonar technology and comes with mapping for a price that beats Humminbird and exceeds them in reputation. The key is to pick and choose which products are their high-performers and which ones you might want to avoid.
Ease of Use fish finder on a boat:
Ease of use is obviously important because weâre not all the most tech-savvy and you shouldnât need a college degree to operate a fish finder. As technology continues to advance, theyâre making the units more and more difficult to operate and fewer people are able to keep up. As Iâve previously mentioned, you donât need the latest and greatest features to find fish but you do need to know how to use the fish finder.
HUMMINBIRD:
I think Humminbird does a nice job of providing variety in terms of the units they offer. Some are easy to use while others are a bit more difficult but youâll have to choose a basic model if you want something without all the bells and whistles. Of course, as you increase in features you make the unit more complicated and ultimately will find something that you donât know how to use.
Where I think Humminbird succeeds is with their customer service. Everything you read about this company praises their customer support helpline and how theyâre so helpful in answering questions and handling inquiries. Thatâs an important consideration.
LOWRANCE:
As with Humminbird, Lowrance also does a nice job of providing product variations to keep things simple for people. What I like about these products is the number of units offered with push buttons rather than a touchscreen. I donât think anyone wants to use a touchscreen when your fingers are all grimy and fishy and the regular buttons are easier to use.
The area where Lowrance fails is with their customer service. As you read about this company you realize that many of their complaints stem from the customer support people experience when they call in for help.
GPS/Mapping Capabilities:
GPS and mapping are features that are becoming more essential as fish-finding technology advances. In this fish finder comparison, we want to see who offers better GPS, Humminbird, or Lowrance?
HUMMINBIRD:
This company offers both GPS and chart plotter on many of their fish finders. A variety of the units come with preloaded maps of lakes so you can map where youâve been and where youâd like to go again as you make your way around the lake.
It looks like youâll have to pay around $300 or more to get a fish finder with GPS and mapping in it. Thatâs not too bad and right around where weâd expect. As for the technology itself, as you couldâve guessed, itâs state of the art.
You can track your location, drop dots on the map of places youâd like to revisit, monitor your speed to help with trolling, and a variety of other things. It seems like itâs functional, easy to use, and doesnât break down that often either.
LOWRANCE:
Lowrance also offers GPS and mapping technology on their fish finders. For this, youâll have to pay around the same price as the Humminbird. Most of their GPS units will run you around $300 but Iâm a bit disappointed by the mapping on their units.
They use a blank white screen that requires you to input your own design and shape of the lake and you can draw it up that way. This is the same as using a paint feature on your phone and it doesnât really help that much.
To get real mapping, you need to upgrade to a more expensive model which then puts the pricing comparison in Humminbirdâs favor.
Lowrance Side Imaging vs Humminbird Side Imaging:
This comparison comes up a lot and itâs rather subjective to the individual unit but Iâll try and clarify this as much as possible. If I had to pick Humminbird or Lowrance I would pick Humminbird for a few different reasons.
First, Humminbird premium units use a lot less power which results in your either sucking less life out of your battery or using fewer batteries.
I also find that Humminbird offers a lot more features built into their side imaging compared to Lowrance. You get the fastest refresh rate on the market, ethernet sharing, a dedicated DI, variable bandwidth, and a âmade in the USAâ stamp that you can carry with pride.
Overall, Lowrance structure scan vs Humminbird side imaging isnât really much of a debate. Humminbird produces a better product and I think itâs because theyâre actively looking for new technology and ways to develop their products. Lowrance could be headed for the hills.
Advantages of Lowrance:
A large variety of affordable units
Long company history
High-quality imaging
Disadvantages of Lowrance
Poor customer service
Expensive premium options
Sub-par side imaging
Advantages of Humminbird
Made in the USA
Great customer service
More affordable mid-range units
Great side scan
Disadvantages of Humminbird
More expensive low-grade options
As you can see, Iâm impressed by Humminbird, and doing a side-by-side comparison was a great way to realize that their products exceed expectations. That said, there are plenty of reasons to love Lowrance and we still think they put out a vast assortment of quality units. Each company has its own set of pros and cons.
Best Options From Each Brand
HUMMINBIRD HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI
Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP MDI
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Humminbird
Type: Down Imaging
Display: 7.0â
CHECK LATEST PRICE >>
This fish finder features a seven-inch LCD screen with a color TFT display. IT comes with down imaging up to 125 feet with Dual Spectrum CHIRP to ensure you get a consistent flow of images that arenât choppy or reduced quality.
It comes with two different display modes which is nice because you donât have to have the screen all cluttered up with things you donât want. You can show water depth, temperature, and turbulence on one screen and then flip back over to the real-time image to zero in on your target. It comes with a micro SD card slot to hold all your data as well.
This unit also comes with Humminbirdâs proprietary GPS and mapping technology. It features all the hardware, mounting, and transducer items youâll need to get it mounted and on the water. You can use this premium fish finder in both freshwater and saltwater.
LOWRANCE HOOK2:
Lowrance HOOK2
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: HOOK2
Type: Down and Side Imaging
Display: 5.0â
CHECK LATEST PRICE >>
This model is a perfect example of something I said about Lowrance. Their products are great but they come at a premium price if you expect to get anything good. Thatâs definitely the case with the HOOK2.
The fish finder is amazing. It features some of the best mapping technology Iâve ever seen, it has inland maps installed, itâs easy to use...
Please click on link for additional information, Thank You.
https://yourbassguy.com/humminbird-vs-lowrance/
Ron620DVSđŁđđ đ¸đŚ
đŁđŚ
.
May 20, 2021 16:03:50 #
william creese
Loc: alvord, Texas
I have a Lowrance on my deck and a hummingbird on the trolling motor. I would prefer both be a hummingbird ,do not like the Lowrance.
May 20, 2021 16:07:47 #
May 21, 2021 07:28:20 #
william creese wrote:
I have a hummingbird helix 5 and love it
I use a lowerance for gps and ray marine fish finder . Never liked hummingbird.but I havenât used a hummingbird in years.
May 21, 2021 09:40:44 #
May 21, 2021 16:31:57 #
After Owning lowrance errands graphs on all my boats for the past 30 years I have for the first time changed over to the Humminbird products line. Last month just updated my Ranger boat with
A Solex 15 gen3 on the bow
A Solix 15 gen 3 on the console
360 imaging
A Minolta ultrex mega trolling for the whole boat system
There is nothing wrong with lowrance products, there great graphs. But just didnât fit my needs at the moment
I have run these for a month now and find them outstanding. Very heavy and they use a ton of battery up with the addition of the garmin live I also installed I now need to run 5 batteries in my boat
A Solex 15 gen3 on the bow
A Solix 15 gen 3 on the console
360 imaging
A Minolta ultrex mega trolling for the whole boat system
There is nothing wrong with lowrance products, there great graphs. But just didnât fit my needs at the moment
I have run these for a month now and find them outstanding. Very heavy and they use a ton of battery up with the addition of the garmin live I also installed I now need to run 5 batteries in my boat
May 21, 2021 20:23:31 #
harleypiker
Loc: WA
Would love to get your review on Garmin. I don't care for Lowrance either. My Humminbird is lousy. won't show a school of walleyes I'm catching under the boat. Side scan is zero. Solid brown. won't even show a dock or deadhead when passing 10 past it. Company just said to adjust contrast, sensitivity, etc but with no results. So i would love to read if my good impression I had at Cabela's for a Garmin is accurate.
May 21, 2021 20:34:10 #
Iâve had several over the years to include, eagle, Garmin, lowrance and Humminbird, plus a few others. Iâm Humminbird 100% now with everything I have because of my experience with them.
May 21, 2021 21:37:57 #
May 28, 2021 22:19:55 #
Ron620DVS
Loc: Guntersville Alabama
harleypiker wrote:
Would love to get your review on Garmin. I don't care for Lowrance either. My Humminbird is lousy. won't show a school of walleyes I'm catching under the boat. Side scan is zero. Solid brown. won't even show a dock or deadhead when passing 10 past it. Company just said to adjust contrast, sensitivity, etc but with no results. So i would love to read if my good impression I had at Cabela's for a Garmin is accurate.
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đŁđŚ447
LAST UPDATED: MAY 23, 2021:
Best Fish Finder â Lowrance vs. Humminbird vs. Garmin vs. Simrad;
The market of fish finders is truly wide, with many brands pushing their latest models.
It can be truly difficult to know which brand to choose since each of them seems so similar at first glance, but they become very different once you start digging and seeing what they offer and what they specialize in.
Best Fish Finder Main Image;
Today weâre looking at the top four brands: Garmin, Lowrance, Humminbird, and Simrad.
All four have a history of creating versatile fish finders in a variety of price ranges.
Whether you need a high-end, premium unit with half a dozen imaging types, or just something small for the occasional weekend fishing trip, these brands have something for you.
Weâll give you the specifics on each brand and what they offer.
Be mindful that weâre only picking the best fish finders in general, so each brand offers more than what weâre displaying here.
Have an open mind and weâre certain youâll find a fish finder that matches your needs and budget.
Weâre going broad today and comparing the brands and what they generally offer.
Be sure to give each brand a shot and look at everything they offer before making a final choice.
Overview;
Before getting too deep into what each brand offers, letâs introduce them to you and get you acquainted.
This will give you a better idea of what each brand is and why they offer what they offer.
Lowrance;
Lowrance opened its doors in 1957 and has been a leader in marine technology since its inception, creating many fish finders and related sonar units.
They have adapted to new trends and imaging techniques, such as side imaging (Structure-Scan) and down imaging (Down-Scan) with ease.
Perhaps their biggest innovation in the market came in 2008 when they were the first to introduce an HD multifunction screen.
They continuously seek and adapt new imaging and technology to their long list of fish finders.
From being one of the first to use CHIRP sonars to adding Structure-Scan and Down-Scan to their fish finders.
Since 2008, they have continued this trend by introducing the first HD multifunction screen along with features such as Trackback to review previous sonar readings, 4G radar connections, and enhanced, picture-like sonar readings.
Humminbird;
Humminbird started in 1971 and has been marked by homegrown roots and innovation from start to present.
Beginning in a small garage in Alabama, Humminbird started a trend of being the first to produce or use new technology.
They were the first to introduce a waterproof depth sounder, one of the first to use LCR screens (which later evolved into modern LCD screens) and they were the first to use 360-degree sonar technology.
While their product line has grown to include innovative features like Mega Side-Imaging, Mega Down-Imaging, and massive 15-inch HD displays, they havenât forgotten about their homegrown roots and still develop units for anyone interested in fishing.
Garmin;
Garmin has different roots than Lowrance and Humminbird, but their commitment to their fish finders and products, in general, is definitely top class.
Starting in 1989, Garmin started and is currently a leader in GPS technologies.
They have adapted their GPS units to work with automotive, marine, aviation and outdoor needs, plus they have created many types of wearable tech.
Garmin fish finders are among the most advanced and versatile on the market, making them a top contender for best fish finders.
They make fewer units in general, but their obsession with quality speaks for itself.
Simrad;
Founded in 1946 and known as Simrad Yachting, the company name comes from combining the founderâs last name (Simonsen) with his primary product at the time, radio communication.
While Simrad has been purchased by several companies throughout the years, they have never wavered in their mission to create luxury fish finders with sonar, autopilot features, and navigation.
Though these are often made for yachts and similar luxury crafts, they make units that everyone can enjoy.
Though each has a different story and emphasis, they all cater to anglers and fisherman by providing them with versatile fish finders that combine GPS, sonar, and other features.
They want you to catch as many fish as possible and have fun while doing it.
Letâs dive deeper into the brands and see how they match your needs.
Number of Products;
The number of products may not seem initially important, but thereâs a big reason weâre bringing it up.
Having more products means that the brand can reach more markets and hence youâll have an easier time finding a fish finder that works for your exact needs.
It also means that there will be more options and the ability to work within your budget or preferences.
Lowrance Fish-finders;
The top two here are definitely Lowrance and Humminbird.
Lowrance used to have more, but Humminbird has just slightly edged them out.
They have made a variety of fish finders for ice fishing (ICE series), standard models for all anglers (Helix), and premium models with state-of-the-art imaging and updated user interfaces (Solix).
They also come in a variety of sizes from 5-15 inches.
Lowrance offers three series with many different sizes and features, ranging from 5-16 inches depending on the model.
Hook Reveal is their entry-level series with Fish-Reveal technology and numerous imaging types.
The next step up is Elite Ti2, made for serious anglers who want to take their fishing to the next level.
Professional and tournament-level anglers should choose the HDS Live series.
This has the fastest sonar, the most imaging types, and the clearest displays.
Simrad is quite close.
They actually have four types of fish finders, but there tends to be somewhat fewer variety in each series with an overall size of 5-24 inches.
Consider them a very close third.
The entry-level Cruise series has both a GPS and CHIRP sonar with easy controls. Next is the Go series, which is their best value series.
These touchscreen fish finders have numerous imaging types and are easy to install.
Next up is NSS Evo3, these are for professionals and powerboat enthusiasts.
Lastly is the NSO Evo3, which was made for full luxury cruisers as they offer many imaging types and very large screens.
Garmin is a good brand, but they are a very distant fourth with the smallest number of offerings.
They offer the Striker and Striker Plus lines, both of which combine GPS and CHIRP sonar readings into a versatile and handy unit for anglers.
Thereâs also the Echo-MAP series with enhanced GPS features and other imaging types.
While they donât have as many units, they are a quality brand with a dedicated following.
Overall Features;
At the highest level, all of these brands offer nearly the same features.
You can get CHIRP, traditional sonar, down scan, side imaging, multi-panel displays, dedicated GPS units with maps and so on.
But, letâs break down what the general offerings are so that you get a better idea of what each brand offers.
Lowrance Down-scan;
Garmin offers traditional sonar with all their units.
The smaller units (4 and 5 inches) have both CHIRP and Clear-Vu, which is a type of down imaging.
The larger 7- and 9-inch models also feature Side-Vu.
The GPS is highly accurate and allows you to draw your own maps.
While it relies mostly on waypoints and custom maps, it does a wonderful job of getting you from point A to point B.
Lowrance offers many features and it depends on the series and size of the model.
Their smaller units, like the 5-inch ones, offer CHIRP and Down-View, while the larger ones also offer Side-View.
All the Lowrance fish finders offer physical buttons, and the larger ones (around 7-inches or bigger) offer touchscreen capability as well.
The more advanced models tend to offer brighter screens, faster GPSs, and stronger imaging for viewing deeper under the water.
Humminbird doesnât have many products smaller than 5 inches, and the truth is that the majority of their products start at 7 inches and go up from there.
While there are a few units only with down imaging, most have side imaging and other advanced features.
Their largest model is 15 inches, and you can get Wi-Fi, Ethernet connections and much more.
Their maximum depths are amazing, and you can easily make out vegetation, objects and everything else around your boat.
Humminbird offers crystal clear imaging with all their models along with easy controls.
Unlike Lowrance, where larger models offered touchscreen, Humminbird makes this more about the series.
Helix models only offer physical buttons while Solix has both touch and physical buttons.
Many of the models offer both side and down imaging.
They have actually been working on the stronger âMaxâ versions of these, which increases clarity and distance.
Regardless of which you get, Humminbird is known for clarity and many imaging types.
Simrad has many features and they tend to separate them based on the series.
The Cruise line offers CHIRP imaging, Go offers that along with GPS, down imaging, and structure scan, NSS Evo3 has HD and 3D sonar imaging, and NSO Evo3 has even stronger imaging than the NSS. Some models are touch-only while others only offer physical buttons.
Cruise only offers buttons, Go and NSO are touch-only, and NSS offers both.
In general, these are high-end fish finders and many imaging types, bright screens, and many features.
Budget-Friendly Options; *****
If money is of no concern to you and you just want the best fish finder possible, then feel free to skip this section.
Much like with the overall features section, here we are going to talk about which brand is most budget-friendly so that you get the biggest bang for your buck.
Once again, this all depends on which exact model you get.
Lowrance is probably the most evenly priced brand here.
While Humminbird now has more models in general, Lowrance offers the most budget-friendly options along with a comparable number of mid-tier and premium models.
While you may lose out on some features (like Side-Scan and a touchscreen), you can find a powerful unit at a good price.
Garmin is also reasonably priced across the board.
While they do have some premium offerings, many of their units are easy on the wallet.
These are mostly with their smaller units, like the 4- and 5-inch ones, but you can get a great CHIRP sonar for a good price.
They tend to offer some of the smallest units, which might be good if portability is an essential feature for you.
Simrad is OK with budget-friendly options.
These are really meant for yachts and sports-boats, so their cheapest models arenât quite as affordable as the other ones.
Even their smallest units tend to be more expensive than the mid-sized offerings from other brands.
Youâre getting great imaging of course, but Simrad isnât quite as affordable as Lowrance or Garmin.
Humminbird is similar to Simrad.
These models are expensive and tend to be the highest here.
Depending on the model, it can be a duel between Humminbird and Simrad for the most expensive brand.
However, since Humminbird prizes technological innovation and packing in as many features as possible, you can expect their budget-friendly options to have many great features.
Ease Of Use;
Lastly, letâs talk about ease of use. How quickly can you pick up and learn these fish finders so that you can easily switch between tools and options and start finding fish?
Honestly, all three are tied here. They are all built to have low learning curves so that you can immediately get out there and start fishing.
Fish Finder Installation Width=,
No one wants to spend hours of time reading manuals, figuring out buttons, coordinating options and so on.
Each brand knows that fishermen just want to attach the finder to their boat, turn it on and get that sonar running.
Donât worry, youâll have an easy time regardless of what you choose.
Unless you are getting a huge, premium unit, all of the fish finders from these four brands should take very little time to learn and properly use.
Best Models;
Here weâll discuss three of the best models from each brand based on price and functionality.
We will separate them into affordable, best value and high-end premium units.
Garmin Line;
Affordable: Garmin Striker Plus 4cv
Garmin Striker 4cv with Transducer
Garmin Striker 4cv with Transducer
Check Price Now;
Good things come in small (and affordable) packages.
This budget-friendly fish finder has a small 3.5-inch screen with surprisingly good clarity and numerous features.
You get CHIRP sonar capabilities for highly detailed images along with Clear-Vu imaging for down-scanning.
The depth reaches 830 feet in saltwater and 1,750 feet in freshwater.
Fish Symbol technology helps you identify fish when theyâre nearby.
There are multiple frequencies to choose from for custom imaging.
It has GPS capabilities as well to track where youâre going and how to reach your destination.
You can store up to 5,000 waypoints.
Quickdraw Contours creates maps of your trails so you can see where youâve been before.
Despite the small display, you can split it into two screens for viewing sonar and GPS simultaneously.
Plus, a backlight LED ensures you can see the readings no matter the lighting conditions.
Please Read Full Review;*****
Please click on link for additional information, Thank You. *****
https://www.fishfinderhub.com/best-fish-finder/
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