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02-20-2018, 10:30 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,900
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Hummingbird or Lowrance?
Hey guys,
I want to get one these devices for my boat this year.
Just not sure which one to get.
16ft Aluminum utility.
Budget of $500.
I know I want to know depth, temp,wind,
GPS marking.
Decent maps.
Decent visibility of the screen while screaming across the lake with my hair on fire.
And anything else that I may be missing because I’ve never used one before.
Thanks guys.
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02-20-2018, 11:07 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: West Edmonton
Posts: 5,174
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In that price range your only options are the Helix 5 or Hook2 5 models.
For the most part they are very similar. The biggest difference I know of is that the Helix 5 units are capable of creating your own accurate depth chart maps(live while on the water) whereas I do not think the Hook2 units have depth chart making capability.
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02-21-2018, 12:58 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 76
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Maybe take look at a Garmin they have live mapping also it's called quick draw.
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02-21-2018, 07:04 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 395
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I have never used hunmingbird but i like lowrance. For 500 bucks for just the unit/transducer/navionics card, not including battery i would try get my hands on a used gen 2 hds 7” min lowrance unit.... you would be set up well at that point for that price range.
My 2 cents
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02-21-2018, 07:08 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,718
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RavYak
In that price range your only options are the Helix 5 or Hook2 5 models.
For the most part they are very similar. The biggest difference I know of is that the Helix 5 units are capable of creating your own accurate depth chart maps(live while on the water) whereas I do not think the Hook2 units have depth chart making capability.
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Didn't we just do this not long ago? Why not do a quick search before you make statements you "think" are true?
YES, the Hook2 units are fully capable of live on the water mapping using Navionics+ and SonarCharts Live, they are also fully compatible with CMAP Genesis, so you have access to all of the mapping on the Social Maps layer (very good detail and coverage in AB and SK) for free, and the option to create your own private maps.
For about $425, you can get the Hook2 5 with the Splitshot Transducer (2D and DownScan) bundled with a Navionics+ card to give you Sonar Charts Live. Add the TripleShot transducer for DI and Side Imaging, and you're about $600 for the same setup.
The Hook2 7 with Splitshot and the Navionics+ is $700, $850 with DI and SI. If there's any way you can swing the extra $250 up front, you'll never regret it, and you won't end up buying a bigger unit in a year from now. Screen size is king. It's easier to identify fish #1, but it also gives you a lot more usable options in how you setup and split the screen to take advantage of the mapping, 2D, DI, and possibly SI features.
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02-21-2018, 07:22 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Lloydminster Alberta
Posts: 1,301
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for 500 you can get a helix 5 with DI and be able to make your own maps on the water. I have always liked Humminbird products.
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02-21-2018, 02:01 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: The Run.
Posts: 85
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So looking at the BPS flyer for their Fishing Classic(which starts March 2nd), notice a good deal on a Lowrance Elite 5 TI with DI, SI, Chirp. Perhaps, they discontinued this model??
Looks like your in E-Town... maybe its worth the drive or not.
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Stay frosty.......
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02-21-2018, 03:10 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 3,139
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I have yet to run into a lowrance unit that I have not wanted to throw out in 5 minutes or less. I vastly prefer the control setting on a humminbird.
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02-21-2018, 05:45 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: West Edmonton
Posts: 5,174
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walleyedude
YES, the Hook2 units are fully capable of live on the water mapping using Navionics+ and SonarCharts Live, they are also fully compatible with CMAP Genesis, so you have access to all of the mapping on the Social Maps layer (very good detail and coverage in AB and SK) for free, and the option to create your own private maps.
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I remember talking about it a while ago but didn't think there was any confirmation at that time. I see that Navionics announced a month ago that sonarcharts live does work on the Hook2 units. I don't get why Lowrance doesn't promote that feature on their website...
Do you know if a guy has to pay yearly subscription fee for updates in order to use sonarcharts live? I will find out in a few months, hoping I don't have to pay for updates. If a guy does I would still give Humminbird the advantage for maps since there is no annual fee. CMAP maps are nice if you are down south/fishing lakes that have already been mapped by others. Downside on these cheap units is that you can't run it and sonarcharts live together since there is only one sd slot(I couldn't get it to work on mine anyways).
Since the Hook2 does have live mapping you can't really go wrong with either the Helix 5 or Hook2. They both have roughly the same features and are priced similarly. Pretty much comes down to personal preference, go play with the 2 units in store and decide which user interface you prefer.
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02-21-2018, 06:04 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,826
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E-Town,
Do you ice fish? If so you may want to consider the Helix 5 unit with a ice transducer and a portable transducer. You can make maps in the summer and use them and any waypoints in the summer.
I have had both Lowrance and Humminbird. When I had Lowrance they didn’t have live mapping but Humminbird did so I went that way. It looks like Lowrance does now too with Sonar Charts Live, but you pay an annual subscription. I’m still quite happy with my Humminbird Helix units.
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YouTube: Harder Outdoors
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FB: HarderOutdoors
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02-21-2018, 08:30 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aulrich
I have yet to run into a lowrance unit that I have not wanted to throw out in 5 minutes or less. I vastly prefer the control setting on a humminbird.
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I would say the exact opposite. I have always found the screens and menu's on the Lowrance far easier to navigate through then on the Humminbirds.
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02-21-2018, 08:46 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 11,933
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Helix would be my recommendation simply because you get the live mapping without the added cost of a subscription, they are easy to use, and almost everyone that has them loves them.
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02-21-2018, 09:51 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,718
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyShootMore
So looking at the BPS flyer for their Fishing Classic(which starts March 2nd), notice a good deal on a Lowrance Elite 5 TI with DI, SI, Chirp. Perhaps, they discontinued this model??
Looks like your in E-Town... maybe its worth the drive or not.
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Some good deals in that flyer.
The Elite TI 5 is a current model, and fully supported including the latest update. An Elite TI touch screen unit with a Totalscan transducer for $500 is a smoking good deal.
The Hook2 7 with CHIRP, DI and Navionics+ card for $600 is a great deal too.
The Elite 12 TI with Totalscan for $1800 is almost 1/2 price.
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02-21-2018, 11:29 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WMU 214
Posts: 569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wes_G
I would say the exact opposite. I have always found the screens and menu's on the Lowrance far easier to navigate through then on the Humminbirds.
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x2
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02-22-2018, 06:56 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: calgary
Posts: 3,013
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I run a Bird but must say the touch screens on Lowrance are easier to work with. Saying that once I got used to them it is a non issue.
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02-22-2018, 08:24 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Fort Saskatchewan
Posts: 733
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You may aswell ask which is better, Chev or Ford. Like RavYak says go to the store and play with both of them. If you ask on a forum whatever unit someone owns is the best. With that said Chev and Humminbird as I use my bird in the winter for ice fishing and in the boat for summer.
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02-22-2018, 10:53 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 94
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lowrance all the way⚡️
it's the best product on to market easy to use and just really nice resolution
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02-22-2018, 03:30 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,900
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Thanks for the help fellas
Sounds like I have to try them in store and see which I prefer.
Like Ford.
Hopefully Cabela’s has some decent sales so I can increase my budget a bit.
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02-22-2018, 04:26 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,826
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ETOWNCANUCK
Thanks for the help fellas
Sounds like I have to try them in store and see which I prefer.
Like Ford.
Hopefully Cabela’s has some decent sales so I can increase my budget a bit.
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You might want to consider checking them all out at the Sportsman’s show in a couple weeks. Both brands will be there and you may be able to find some sweeter deals.
__________________
Princecraft, Humminbird, MinnKota, Cannon, Mack's Lure, & Railblaza Pro Staff
YouTube: Harder Outdoors
Instagram: @harderoutdoors
FB: HarderOutdoors
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02-22-2018, 04:31 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: West Edmonton
Posts: 5,174
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calgarygringo
I run a Bird but must say the touch screens on Lowrance are easier to work with. Saying that once I got used to them it is a non issue.
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No touch screen models in the OP's price range.
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