Lowrance Side Scan Vs Humminbird Side Imaging?

[Damned67]

Hi All,
I'm in the market for a new sounder, and was all geared up to buy the Lowrance HDS7 touch. That was until someone reminded me that one can connect Minn Kota I-pilot to some of the Humminbird range (800 series and up, maybe?)....

So, who wants to comment on the HDS7 touch vs the Humminbird equivalent (898cx HD Si?)

Cheers

[NAGG]

I have a 998 SI & a HDS8 SS on my boat ........ its not even worth arguing about which is the better unit - Lowrance by a long way

Chris

[FishCQ]

I have a lowrance HDS7 touch gen2 and love it, i have structure scan and downscan and its far better then my old garmin and humminbird.

[Damned67]

I have a 998 SI & a HDS8 SS on my boat ........ its not even worth arguing about which is the better unit - Lowrance by a long way

Chris

Thanks Chris, that's exactly what I was after, opinion from someone with experience with both units.
I can see a HDS in my future.
Cheers!

[chocolatemoose]

i sell both units and have used both a fair whack. humminbird has a long history of side imaging " we still arnt sure what happened in the court rooms when johnson outdoors took navico to court over structure scan" but well yeah
they are both good. lowrance has a few more tricks
humminbird is easier to install and potentially cheaper in some reguards

[NAGG]

Thanks Chris, that's exactly what I was after, opinion from someone with experience with both units.
I can see a HDS in my future.
Cheers!

I think for image quality & interpretation ...... Lowrance wins
I bought the Bird because it had the advantage of being a self contained unit (the HDS 8 is matched to LSS2 transducer / LSS1 black box) ....... In down scan & side scan the Bird is still pretty good but as a normal sounder falls well behind. The plug set up in the Birds are problematic. I certainly wouldn't consider buying another - specially now that Lowrance have self contained units.

chris

[Spiderpig]

+1 for humminbird, I love my 998.

[CATchin'Em]

buy a HDS12 if any I know its dearer. I personally have HS10 gen2 while is great unit, a bigger screen is better!!! I see lots more once I get home and put it into drdepth or lowrance viewer.
In your case I would probably buy the humminbird, especially now that 360 is out(I know more money) and with integrated ipilot. too many advantages for a small boat over lowrance. downside is no overlay or drdepth but believe they are working on it.