HDS or Humminbird Si

[McLovin]

I'm looking at buying a new fish finder for the boat to replace the Lowrance Mark 5x....what do you guys think..HDS or Humminbird 898?

[CATMAN1979]

To each his own but i have had a 1197 humminbird for 3 years and i love it to me it seems like the humminbird is more user friendly than the lowrance. I have a buddy that has a hds 10 and he has had it for 2 years and it has been sent back for repairs 3 times the colors on the the humminbird imaging seem to show better detail than the lowrance i will say that the 2d sonar on the lowrance seems to show better detail than on the humminbird they both are good units.

[SmokinBarrel]

Stay away from HDS Gen 1. The newer HDS Gen 2 are improved - both in speed and features. As Catman mentioned I had 2 repairs/replacements done. So, I pushed for Lowrance to credit me and worked out a deal with Simrad. I would suggest the Simrad NSS 8 before HDS Gen 2. Simrad is going head to head with Furuno and Raymarine.

Hummingbird is good, but you'll want to look at resolution. If possible you want a higher resolution for your money. My picks....

Simrad NSS 8
Hummingbird 1100 series

Of course, all depends on what you want to spend.

[SkipEye]

I could give my opinion on Dennis's setup but still waiting on that return-favor fishing trip from 2 years ago or so........ LOL!

Who loves ya Dennis?

[south point]

Stay away from HDS Gen 1. The newer HDS Gen 2 are improved - both in speed and features. As Catman mentioned I had 2 repairs/replacements done. So, I pushed for Lowrance to credit me and worked out a deal with Simrad. I would suggest the Simrad NSS 8 before HDS Gen 2. Simrad is going head to head with Furuno and Raymarine.

Hummingbird is good, but you'll want to look at resolution. If possible you want a higher resolution for your money. My picks....

Simrad NSS 8
Hummingbird 1100 series

Of course, all depends on what you want to spend.

big guy, did you just (sort of) recommend a humminbirdbird???? lmao!!! just kidding.
I have a hb 798 and love it but if, no WHEN, I do it over again I will buy the biggest screen I can afford. wish I had the first time.

[SmokinBarrel]

I could give my opinion on Dennis's setup but still waiting on that return-favor fishing trip from 2 years ago or so........ LOL!

Who loves ya Dennis?

LOL. I know, I know I haven't forgot. Heck, a lot of times I go spur of the moment, like last Thursday night when I caught big daddy. Actually, I think there's bigger. Now I need to go catch big momma.

Definitely plan something this summer end of June or July/August? I am busy next few weekends in the Caribbean. However, if I don't have to go to Springfield, MO to help my dad on Friday, I may go out Friday night.

[SmokinBarrel]

big guy, did you just (sort of) recommend a humminbirdbird???? lmao!!! just kidding.
I have a hb 798 and love it but if, no WHEN, I do it over again I will buy the biggest screen I can afford. wish I had the first time.

Greg,

I just didn't want to start a HB vs Lowrance vs Simrad vs Raymarine, etc... thread, or have this turn into such. But, if I really wanted to say what I wanted to say:

I like Hummingbird a lot, but their top of the line 1198(?) doesn't have a good resolution compared to other finders in this class. Personally, I would spend a little more for bigger and better resolution. Just my opinion. In addition, a lot of guys are over looking the importance of their transducers. A person doesn't have to stay with their manufacturers 'stock' ducer. I am contemplating drilling a hole through the bottom of my boat so I can get a better ready, which would require a thru-hull ducer. In turbulent water, a person has to deal with bubbles created by the turbulence in the water. Those bubbles passing over the ducer create pockets which can distort readings.

Of course, I haven't grown the 'go-nads' to make those holes yet!

[Dlynch]

From what i read the 898 has all same internals except screen size on the 998
the reviews from the bird site rank the 998 over the top 5 birds
I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger on an up grade ,myself,I shot low on the last buy
http://hummingbirdfishfinderreviews.com/

[CatHunter24]

basically IMHO, it comes down to Ford v. Chevy. Both are good tools to use and to help you catch more fish. My suggestion...play around with both brands if you have luxury and see which interface you like better. I just went back to lowrance (after strongly considering HB) because it is what I know better personally. I didn't want to have to learn a new interface again. Plus, I personally like the Lowrance 2D sonar better. Although its nice that the HB has the SI/Downscan built in.

Some criticisms i have heard

Lowrance: Customer Service is poor....(I haven't had to use it, but its a common complaint)

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HB/Johnson Outdoors: I have heard the screens are poor with glare and during daylight in comparison to the HDS. That you have to be sitting right on top of them to be able to see.

- my personal complaint, is I don't like the look/interface of the 2D sonar on HB.


A positive is that HB just came out with a new 360 sonar add on.....its expensive...but you do get added flexibility and expandability now with HB.

Another thing to think about is that if you act quickly (it may be over...or its nearing) Lowrance is doing some killer rebates on the HDS Gen 2 and LSS1 or 2 Sonar. I think if you shop around you get a better deal online buying the 2 separate rather than bundled and get ultimately a 300-350 dollar rebate.

Hope this helps, but as I said....either will work great for what they are designed for.....its just a matter of preference. Try them out, see which one suits your tastes better and go with the biggest screen that will fit & that you can afford lmao.