Lowrance or Humminbird Fishfinder

[bluekim7]

I am lookig at getting a new fishfinder this winter for my boat. The fishfinders I am looking at is Lowrance LCX-110 W/GPS or Humminbird 957C SI W/GPS. I know Lowrance is proven but I hear their customer service isn't great. Anyone have any info or recommendations on either finder. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kim

[chamookman]

Kim - Many Walleye & Bass Pros have jumped ship to Humminbird the last year or so. Quaility and customer service problems have plagued Lowrance as of late. Don't know this for fact, but I heard that Darrell Lowrance sold the company a while back. C-man

[Jason Ammerman]

It seems that the world of fishing electronics is a lot like the auto industry.

Ford will be the best then Chevy then ford. Right now humminbird is on the top with the new SI technology. I have used the units and have a lot of friends that have them they are great I know of one that had problems but Humminbird took care of it right away. On the other hand a lot of my friends that have bought Lowrance have had tons of problems with them and they take foever to get fixed.

Just my 2 cents

[bluekim7]

I was pretty much sold on humminbird until I seen Cabela's has the Lowrance LCX-110 on sale for $999. The other humminbird I was looking at was the 997C SI with side imaging. Most of my fishing is Walleye on the Saginaw Bay and Lake Erie, Jigging Detroit River, and Salmon fishing. I want to get a finder that is going to suit all my needs as this is going to be a big purchase and will hopefully last me a while. I like humminbirds NVB package with the preloaded maps also.

[waterfoul]

Why is it everyone ASSUMES they WILL have trouble with a given product?? I do not base my purchasing decisions on what OTHER people say about customer service. That being said...if you want to avoid customer service all together for the first 3 years you own a product... go to your local West Marine or West Marine.com and buy your procuct from them, and also buy the protection plan for that unit. It is the best protection plan in the industry. It covers anything. And I do mean ANYTHING that might go wrong with the unit. Water damage, if you drop it, dog eats it, anything. Most often we simply replace the unit and then WE deal with the manufacturer not you. Also, if you purchase a unit that costs $1000 or more (we give you the penny for a $999.99 unit) we gaurentee a 24 hour turnaround... either you get your's back fixed... or we give you a new one within 24 hours.

You cannot beat that gaurentee.

[sfw1960]

I am lookig at getting a new fishfinder this winter for my boat. The fishfinders I am looking at is Lowrance LCX-110 W/GPS or Humminbird 957C SI W/GPS. I know Lowrance is proven but I hear their customer service isn't great. Anyone have any info or recommendations on either finder. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kim
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z289/sfw1960/H_Bird797c2SI_sm.gif

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z289/sfw1960/LMS332C__small_SFW.jpg

Kim ,
Here's my 2¢....
I own a Lowrance [5" color 480X480 pixel 2400 Watt] model LMS332c (which is the same as the current LMS520c with less built-in mapping and is older) which I've had since May 2005 and I've NEVER had a problem with it since I got it , and I've done a few firmware updates since it's been released , PLUS I use it on the ice also!
I have previously owned an X70A which is still going ten years plus - with only a new transducer needed two seasons ago.
I also have owned a Humminbird [5" color 640X480 pixel 4000 Watt] model 787c2 for a year which I sold to my best friend (ZERO issues with it also) , to which I was "upgraded" to the Humminbird [5" color 640X480 pixel 4000 Watt] model 797c2 SI .
I run the LMS332c on the bow trolling motor and the 797c2 SI is off the transom.... I have a Navionics HotMaps USA SD Card in the 'Bird and I have a LakeMaster ProMaps Michigan in the LMS332c.
You could always PM Steinfishki here (for a second opinion) to see if the units work"O.K." as he's used the LMS up front while I've run the 797c2 SI in back....LOL
:lol:
I have owned & used Lowrance for many , many years and STILL am a "Lowrance" guy - but the Humminbirds are a first rate product ALSO.
Nailer , another site member here is running a Humminbird model 580 GPS , if my memory serves... and Ken told me "it's the best unit I've ever had".
I will have to say that I've had dealings with both Lowrance and Humminbird's Customer Service and they have BOTH been good , albeit the hold times can be long - you MUST be persistent to get what you want/need and you must be overly assertive , but you WILL get taken care of.....
From an "A Scope" point of view , I have always desired the quality displays Lowrance products generate....
;)
I think Johnson Outdoors , Inc. has an edge with the SI technology right now and Lowrance will need to answer back big-time , or lose market share.
Either machine is a fine choice - but IF you take the time to learn and utilize the Side Imaging Technology it CAN indeed give you an edge.
:D
WALLEYE MIKE runs a Humminbird 987c SI and I'm sure he'd be GLAD to give you his opinion also.
:)

CHEERS!

Robert

[Houghton laker]

I have the Lowrance LCX-110 w/gps and have never had a problem...absolutely love it!! I know a couple others with it and they've had no problems.....I run the Lakemaster chip....I like this better than the Navionics.....either way I don't think you will go wrong with the units your looking at!.....and Oh yea....I got mine for a steal at West Marine!

[KI Jim]

I put a Lowrance X-125 on my boat this past spring and am VERY pleased with it. Had a Garmin before and did not like it. Had a Furuno before the Garmin and I really liked it.

Jim

[The Fishing Pollock]

I've always used Lowrance in my choices. It is just a brand I trust due to friendships within that company. If I were you. I'd base my choices on number of pixils, ease of features, sensitive adjustments on the features, screen size in relation to where you would be looking at it when it is mounted, and how the screen allows sight in direct and semi- direct sunlight. Additional accessories , external downlodable material, and memory capacity should be big factors also.

[shametamer]

i run humminbirds...the 797c2 SI Combo NVB has navionics gold and premium hot maps built right in and does not need require a separate gps receiver..sure is pretty..works wonderful...does not, I repeat DOES NOT put more fish in livewell!:lol:..but i'm getting real good at repeating the same troll line that didn't catch fish the first time!:dizzy:..planning on trading 2 boats this spring, gonna try a lowrance(hope to change my luck)on one of them;)

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Yup, I got the 987c SI. Nice unit. Happy with it? You betcha. Humminbird has come alone way the last few years.

Someone has a 737c in the for sale forum. 7.5" screen. Good price.

[bluekim7]

I did see the 937c for sale on the forum. Just trying to make the big decision before I splurge. For the humminbird owners with the side imaging. Is it worth the extra money and does it work as good as advertised?

Thanks,
Kim

[WALLEYE MIKE]

I did see the 937c for sale on the forum. Just trying to make the big decision before I splurge. For the humminbird owners with the side imaging. Is it worth the extra money and does it work as good as advertised?

Thanks,
Kim

It is if your in a lake with flooded timber. You can make waypoints around the outsides of the timber for trolling without actually getting caught up in trees. Mine worked pretty good in Sanford lake. Picked out timber just like its advertised. Have yet to use it much in the SCR for wrecks and such. Takes a little practice to interpet what you are seeing.
Got to go slow (5MPH or slower). Its nice to have but not real necessary. More of a luxury item. Similar to should i get a flasher or camera first. Flasher first.

[sfw1960]

Similar to should i get a flasher or camera first. Flasher first.
Let the record show WALLEYE MIKE & I have agreed once more (mostly anyways!!)
:lol:

I don't know how much MIKE has played with the SI - but it does take some "training" to figure what you're looking at!
(There is a "Yahoo! group" you can learn more from)

:16suspect

I have had some trouble seeing the SI display in bright light - but I do a lot of night time eyeball draggin , so that's NOT been a major issue...
:cwm27:

In the fall or spring we do a lot of countour trolling and if you're unfamiliar with an area - the SI will surely help you visualize the world below.... Some of the seawalls , docks & dredgings become more understandable when you have another edge to aid you - and it can show you how steep or gentle a break is without actually zig-zagging it.(Maintaining a depth on a break - it's helpful , and I'll take ANY edge I can get!) I know MIKE runs a lot of deep water on SCR & such , so to his usual style of fishing it isn't very important to him. This would also apply to wide open places like SAG & Erie as well , not to say that seeing suspended fish off the side of your boat are not always beneficial......

:evilsmile

A big screen LCX Lowrance or a big screen 'Bird would be a machine anybody would be PROUD to own , and YES - I think the extra money is worth it.... I remember at one time MIKE was pondering a LCX25/26 and I think he's glad he got the 'Bird - and WHEN the conditions arise to USE the SI - He's got it IF He wants to use it.
:)

Robert

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Robert, right now it is more like a novelty item rather than a necessary tool (for me). Only use it about 2% of the time right now. Only reason I got mine at the time is because it was on clearance for $500 off. (last one)

I would be happy with the one in the for sale forum. Nice unit.

[sfw1960]

I Know Mike , but then again - how often do you troll breaklines you are unfamiliar with?
When the time comes - try it out next year on Leelanau and change your side ranges to something like 50-75ft & tell me what you think...
I'd be happy with that one too.
:)
I was tickled with my 787c2 and would still be running it - if NOT for COJ Mag hookin' me up!


RAS

[bluekim7]

Thanks for all the info and your help. Decision time now. I'll post what I end up going with when it is on the boat.

Kim