gps combo

[wrightex]

I'm getting closer and closer with the 22-2 flatback project. It's time to make a decision on electronics.

I had pretty much decided on the Humminbird 858C vs the Lowrance HDS-7. Now I hear that Raymarine is offering some big rebates effective 3/31. That puts the Raymarine A70D in the same price range.

Opinions/suggestions/comments?

[wingtime]

Not sure about the Humminbird or the Raymarine but the HDS-7 is SWEET

[TheKid]

I'm in the same boat.

Looking at the 898cSI and the HDS8 w/ LSS-1. Here is what I have learned.

Both packages have dual Hz transducers, Down Imaging, and side scan along with Navionics capabilities.

However, it seems the the Lowrance unit can handle a lot more add-ons like radar, flo scan, engine diagnostics, sonic whatever(Ipod Hookup) and a few others.

With the bird you are done.

Also, I read that the down imaging on the bird is just an interpretation from the side scanning ducers where as the Lowrance unit has a dedicated ducer for the down imaging. Looking at some posts on THT it looks like the DI on the Lowrance is superior.

In the begining I was headed for the Humminbird unit due to price and a notion of superior customer service. Now I'm not so sure. I like the additional things I can add on with the Lowrance, like the auto pilot, radar and FloScan. Sure its a little more money out the gate, but might save more down the road.

IF your looking for the HDS7 I have seen some good deals on an HDS7/LSS-1 bundles. Although you did not mention anything about side imaging.

[wrightex]

Thanks for the reply kid.

Not really concerned with side imaging, or radar.

I found enough "opinions" on tht to last for awhile...

[gran398]

Guys...will be looking a combo as you describe in a month or so...tell us about pricing/deals/steals, etc.

Thanks!

[Newbie25]

I was looking at all three units described and really researched them. I will be going for the Raymarine A70D. It comes with a 50khz transducer with HD quality plus you don't get all that junk on your screen because it filters it out. I am a raymarine fan and to me humminbird is good for freshwater and lowrance is good for nothing because their customer service is non-existent. just my two cents.

[wrightex]

The $500.00 rebate thay have now really makes the Raymarine A70D look good.

[Newbie25]

Rayamarine has a $500 rebate on the a70d?

[TheKid]

lowrance is good for nothing because their customer service is non-existent.

Have you dealt with Lowrance or is this hearsay?

I have not. Just wondering because I have found equally bad comments about all the mfg's. You have to remember it is rare that people jump to the internet to praise a company. It is usually only the ones with negative feedback that fill the forums with they're experiences. Most of the time it's their own dumb fault too.

Just curious. I originally was against Lowrance for the same reason. I don't want bad customer service. I would prefer to never deal with customer service. After asking a lot of questions, not just reading forum posts, I believe they are all about the same.

[MarshMarlowe196]

I have to disagree with poor customer service from Lowrance.  I recently graciously acquired a 2004 model Lowrance combo unit from Capt. Bob, and was having issues trying to install a new update to the unit and Navionics chip.  I called Lowrance and they were very helpful.  

When I had issues with my old Garmin unit, Garmin customer service put me on hold and played some very soothing enjoyable hold music for about half an hour, then very politely and calmly told me there was nothing they could do.

[Capt. Bob]

Have to agree.
Talk's cheap.

If you have first hand knowledge, back it up.

I own a Lowrance HDS-5x. I have not had the ability to use it as much as I would have liked but that hopefully will change. What use it has seen has made me believe it's a good product. Since it hasn't failed, I have no experience with Lowrance Customer Service other than what I have encountered on the net. If you follow this Forum at all, then you know my feelings about cyberspace, its inhabitants and what passes as fact by same. As with anything, you must take it with a grain of salt and sort through the useful and ridiculous.

That stated, I called Lowrance Customer Service to see for myself if they did in fact, exist. Sure enough, I engaged a warm body with an accent I would place as Mid America and while I freely admitted I didn't have a problem but was calling to check to see if anyone was home, the young lady was very receptive and understood why I would place such a call.

Therefore, I make no representation of the quality of Lowrance products other than my own (and possibility Jessie's turn of the century model he's running right now) but can assure you they do have a Customer Service Department.

Soothing "may I place you on hold for a moment?" music...
Corporate America's idea of Thorazine. :shaking2:

[John Jones]

Lowrance justly earned their bad customer service/warranty reputation a few years back when they came out with the 300 series that the gps module seemed to be designed to fail.  Their customer service department and repair department were overwhelmed.  Once they got over that hump I have not heard too many complaints. Probably about even with the other major players now.

Garmin has been pretty good to me.  Yeah, you can hit them at a busy time and sit on hold for 1/2 hour but what customer service line is not like that at times.  I have had six different Garmins over 10 years and have not had a major failure except for the very first handheld I bought 10 years ago.  They made good on it within 10 days.  I still have all of them and they all work but that original handheld is losing screen pixels now.  The only other issues I have had that I had to call were PC to Garmin communications (my computer at fault) and a couple of bad cables that they replaced for free even though the unit was out of warranty.

Furuno is super equipment but their user interfaces suck in my opinion and I know for a fact their repair prices are off the chart.

Humminbird?  I have six or more friends with the side imaging and they all love them.  I don't know of one that has had a failure.

Brands that I did not comment on I have no info.

[gran398]

Good work guys. To the new members, and not blowing the CA horn, but this is how an internet forum should operate.

[DOCREED]

Lowrance, Simrad, Northstar and several others are all owned by one company now.

[Capt Matt]

I had lowrance gps/sonar on my flatsboat for about 8 yrs with lots of problems, I even had bought 2 units because one was always in the shop. Anytime it would rain the unit would quit, it just did not seem very waterproof and the navionic's chips would corrode.  After seeing ***GPS Module not responding*** over and over I was over it. After having 2 units go out in 3 days while fishing a tournament that was the final straw I went and bought a Garmin that I have had now for 2 yrs with no problems. The garmin is crazy durable.
Since lowrance switched to the new HDS a few years ago I have not heard of many problems and they seem to be much more waterproof than there old units. My buddy has one and loves it, its a easy system to operate too.
As far as hummingbird they are the cheapest sonar/gps on the market. I use the side imaging one on the other boat I run and its ok. The wire connections do not lock onto the unit and corrode badly.The GPS/chart screen is not close to as detailed as garmin or lowrance
Any unit you buy needs to be rigged with a better fuse holder than comes with it, the spring loaded type just does not last.
My 2 cents buy a Garmin with the Blue chart chip
Capt Matt