Humminbird vs Lowrance

[FlYiNGuY]

In the market for a new finder this season. Looking opinions on what brand you prefer and why. I know it's a bit of a Ford and Chevy discussion but looking for input.
I'm looking at either a Helix 10 with the MEGA or the Lowrance carbon 9... Thoughts? It's it really worth the extra $$? or can I get into a model that will do basically the same for less $$?
Will be used for trolling to find walleye and some lake trout fishing as well.
I sold my last boat with everything so starting fresh.. will buy a trolling motor to pair with either brand. I've had bird in the past but while looking at options I like the Lowrance menu speed and function.(touch screen)
Thanks All!

[Lowrance Fishburn]

Lowrance is better IMO, buuuut i have a portable Hummingbird fishing buddy with color screen and its been bang on for depth and temp - sucks batteries dry though. I say Lowrance

[RavYak]

Six of one half a dozen of the other.

The Helix 10 units are awesome and the new mega imaging looks crazy good, the Lowrance doesn't compare to the mega imaging quality up close. The lowrance on the other hand has the 3d structure scan capability.

The Humminbirds just added bottom hardness and weed mapping to their autochart whereas the new sonarcharts live on HDS will only do depth. I believe you can do bottom hardness and weed on insight genesis though.

I like the fit, finish and size of the HDS units. I could care less about the touch screen but some people like that. Speed wise I haven't played with a Carbon but if anything I would say the helix's are faster for boot time and for maps compared to an HDS(HDS maps probably slower due to more detailed background map though).

I honestly don't think a person can go wrong with the Helix 10, the HDS's are nice but the 3d structure scan version in a smaller screen size(9) is over 60% more money... There are some HDS Gen 3's available a bit cheaper now that the Carbons have been announced though and they would be more comparable to the Helix 10 price wise.

[Salmo]

I use Lowrance and love the Gen 3 units, but the final decision may come down to the brand of Trolling motor you want to pair with it. MG with Lowrance and MK with HB but you likely already knew that.

My Xi5/Gen3 combo works really well and if will be creating routes with any sort of frequency touchscreen will save you a lot of time. I seems like Lowrance and Navionics have solved the lack of real-time mapping (although I will continue to save my tracks and generate maps with Reefmaster). Go play with the units and see what you prefer.

[RavYak]

One nice thing about Lowrance down your way is that a lot of the lakes have already been mapped on insight genesis. Up here around Edmonton coverage is still fairly spotty.

Lowrance will have detailed maps quicker then Humminbird since both insight and navionics collect user data whereas humminbird requires you to make your own maps(or get a navionics card and hope guys update it).

[EZM]

Originally Posted by RavYak

The Humminbirds just added bottom hardness and weed mapping to their autochart whereas the new sonarcharts live on HDS will only do depth. I believe you can do bottom hardness and weed on insight genesis though.

My Humminbird ONIX has had bottom hardness since 2013 when I purchased it.

I think the newer technology is the weed mapping.

I agree, you can't go wrong either way. Lowrance and Humminbird both have outstanding units with great features.

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by EZM

My Humminbird ONIX has had bottom hardness since 2013 when I purchased it.

I think the newer technology is the weed mapping.

I agree, you can't go wrong either way. Lowrance and Humminbird both have outstanding units with great features.

Had to rub my eyes, thought I was having a halucification.lol





That said I also agree.

[EZM]

Originally Posted by huntsfurfish

Had to rub my eyes, thought I was having a halucification.lol





That said I also agree.

I was drunk when I posted that ..... and in a good mood.

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by EZM

I was drunk when I posted that ..... and in a good mood.

lol

[RavYak]

Originally Posted by EZM

My Humminbird ONIX has had bottom hardness since 2013 when I purchased it.

I think the newer technology is the weed mapping.

I agree, you can't go wrong either way. Lowrance and Humminbird both have outstanding units with great features.

Bottom hardness autochart live or bottom hardness when making maps using autochart pro on the computer?

The autochart live helix models did not have bottom hardness last year, I know that and the weeds is new for them this year(as well as being offered on the 5's and 7's as well).

[FlYiNGuY]

Thanks everyone, all excellent info! About the cartography- I was told by the bird rep at the boat show that in the 2017's you no longer have to export data to a computer to build your own lake maps. Can anyone confirm this?
The price on the Lowrance has got me hesitant going that way, and the clarity is nothing compared to some of the mega images I'm seeing online.. all at a much less price point on the bird.
Also hearing mega ducer doesn't read well at speed. How many add ons would I need? I know it never ends..
Another plus for the bird is the Bluetooth on the bird now talks to the new '17 trolling motors if with the link.. no cables.
Hmmmm.....

[FlYiNGuY]

Originally Posted by RavYak

Bottom hardness autochart live or bottom hardness when making maps using autochart pro on the computer?

The autochart live helix models did not have bottom hardness last year, I know that and the weeds is new for them this year(as well as being offered on the 5's and 7's as well).

Did some reading.. as I understand, the Helix 10 comes with the autochart live but no bottom hardness or SI mosaic overlay. If you want both of those it is an upgrade to the pro software. Helix has 8hrs of storage internal (not sure how that relates to data) anymore than that, it's the zero lines card.

Looks like my best option for $$ would be Helix 10 mega SI and the add on of Navionics + for the region. Then as I build my own maps I still have a rough estimate of structure. Thoughts?

Lowrance, I like the simple functionality, but the comparable unit would be out of my budget!

[RavYak]

Originally Posted by FlYiNGuY

Did some reading.. as I understand, the Helix 10 comes with the autochart live but no bottom hardness or SI mosaic overlay. If you want both of those it is an upgrade to the pro software. Helix has 8hrs of storage internal (not sure how that relates to data) anymore than that, it's the zero lines card.

Looks like my best option for $$ would be Helix 10 mega SI and the add on of Navionics + for the region. Then as I build my own maps I still have a rough estimate of structure. Thoughts?

Lowrance, I like the simple functionality, but the comparable unit would be out of my budget!

Bottom hardness is now done live, as is weeds.

SI overlay would have to be done on computer. I understand you can just use a regular sd card to hold mapping data(don't need zero lines card) but it won't show you outline of lake and wont look quite as nice because of that, but something to think about to save a few bucks. Navionics + would be good to have to get started.

Here is some of the Helix info I been watching lately.

Mega imaging, super clear although reduced visibility distance(but capable of using lower frequencies as well if you want further visibility)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIiwiAzRotk

Bottom hardness/weed mapping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXSCrac2eZY

[EZM]

Originally Posted by RavYak

Bottom hardness autochart live or bottom hardness when making maps using autochart pro on the computer?

The autochart live helix models did not have bottom hardness last year, I know that and the weeds is new for them this year(as well as being offered on the 5's and 7's as well).

Yes - BUT - I don't have the Helix - I have the ONIX 10SI - these units came out with bottom hardness, mosaic, etc.. right out of the box and a few other features not available on the original Helix units (not sure about the new ones).

[RavYak]

Originally Posted by EZM

Yes - BUT - I don't have the Helix - I have the ONIX 10SI - these units came out with bottom hardness, mosaic, etc.. right out of the box and a few other features not available on the original Helix units (not sure about the new ones).

I thought the bottom hardness and mosaic was done on the computer with autochart pro, I never realized that the Onix units themselves were capable of all that.

The new helix's have bottom hardness and weeds added now but still not SI mosaic to my knowledge. A bit surprised by that since they must be capable of adding it as well if they already had it on the old Onix units.

[FishHunterPro]

Originally Posted by RavYak

Bottom hardness autochart live or bottom hardness when making maps using autochart pro on the computer?

The autochart live helix models did not have bottom hardness last year, I know that and the weeds is new for them this year(as well as being offered on the 5's and 7's as well).

I just looked and last years helix models have an update for the auto chart live bottom hardness and weed mode . Lots of other improvements

[Willowtrail]

Originally Posted by RavYak

Six of one half a dozen of the other.

The Helix 10 units are awesome and the new mega imaging looks crazy good, the Lowrance doesn't compare to the mega imaging quality up close. The lowrance on the other hand has the 3d structure scan capability.

Where have you seen a new Carbon? They aren't out yet.
I love my gen 2 touch and planning to upgrade and network to a Carbon once they come out.

To the OP
The HDS Carbon is touch screen and now has pinch to zoom just like our phones have. The onscreen keyboard is great for making waypoints abs really fast to type.

The Helix isn't a touch screen so you're comparing apples to oranges. Hummingbird is coming out with a new touchscreen unit to replace the Onyx.

I love my Insight Genesis and use it on any lake I go and now can overlay live structure scan.

[RavYak]

Originally Posted by Willowtrail

Where have you seen a new Carbon? They aren't out yet.
I love my gen 2 touch and planning to upgrade and network to a Carbon once they come out.

To the OP
The HDS Carbon is touch screen and now has pinch to zoom just like our phones have. The onscreen keyboard is great for making waypoints abs really fast to type.

The Helix isn't a touch screen so you're comparing apples to oranges. Hummingbird is coming out with a new touchscreen unit to replace the Onyx.

I love my Insight Genesis and use it on any lake I go and now can overlay live structure scan.

I haven't seen the new Carbon yet just the videos and info that Lowrance and some others have posted.

The side imaging and structure scan 3d hasn't changed. They have brighter screens, faster dual core processor, dual channel chirp sonar(can view 2 different sonar frequencies at same time), sonarchart live(which is also available as an update for gen 3 units).

The new Humminbird replacing the Onix is called the Solix it is only available in a 12 and 15 inch size. The 12 inch Solix with mega imaging is the same price as the 9 inch HDS Carbon with structure scan 3d.

Insight genesis is by far the biggest advantage Lowrance has imo. Lowrance is going to have accurate maps before Humminbird because they collect and share data whereas with the Humminbird you need to map all your lakes on your own.

[FlYiNGuY]

Thanks everyone! I think the helix 10 mega will get the nod, I can't see the value in an extra grand for less detailed images, even if it is quicker/easier to mark waypoints.

[Walleyedude]

A few points about comparing Lowrance and Humminbird. It's pretty important to compare apples to apples when comparing prices.

The closest competitor to the Helix units from Lowrance isn't really the HDS Carbon or even the Gen3, they're a step above, the direct comparison is the Elite Ti units.

If you want to compare the HDS units, you need to compare them to the Onix or the new Solix units from Humminbird.

If you compare the Helix and Elite units, the price points and features are very similar. At that level, they will both have good 2D, DI/SI, CHIRP depending on the model, built in live auto mapping, and the ability to connect to a trolling motor.

The Lowrance advantages are the touch screen, which is HUGE in my opinion, Insight Genesis, and better 2D broadband sonar.

The Helix units with Mega imaging offer better SI and a slightly lower price.

One thing to note regarding the side imaging though, is that with both units, but the Humminbird Mega in particular, you need to be travelling at speeds of 5-8 mph in order to see images with anything close to the clarity you see in the advertisements.

They're both great units, you can't go wrong with either one. For me, the touch screen on the Lowrance is the deciding feature. It's so much easier to use and customize to your preferences. Kinda like using an IPhone vs an old Motorola flip phone lol.

[SamSteele]

I have a Helix 9 SI Gen 1. Autochart Live allows you to build maps as you drive. There are 8 hrs internal memory or you add a zero lines card ($100-$120) and have pretty much as many hours as you would ever need. They came out with an update last fall that adds bottom hardness and vegetation layers to the autochart live functionality as well.

I bought my boat last year and went with the Helix unit entirely due to Autochart Live. I didn't want to have to drive an area, upload the data, download the processed data in order to get a map. I can map my entire lake while I fish without having to connect to anything. The addition of bottom hardness and vegetation layers as a free update was a huge win this past fall too.

Had an HDS7 G1 on my last boat and the bird is sooooo much more useful for me.

SS


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[idaman]

If you care about customer service at all stay as far away as possible from anything Hummingbird.

[SamSteele]

I believe there is a rebate on some Lowrance units as well.


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[Ossie]

I have a cottage on a big lake in Ontario, we use Lowrance on the big boat, Hummingbird on the 14 foot "fishing" boat, and a portable Garmin for our fly in fishing trip each spring. Of them all, I like the little Garmin the best. Easy to use, tough as hell in it's portable carry case, and the most inexpensive of the bunch...go figure....