RE: fish finder help
2011/06/02 23:44:03
(permalink)
I'll give my opinions on the units I have experience with.
I have an older Garmin unit (178-C) that I absolutely LOVE. I also have 2 Lowrance units (HDS-5 and HDS-7). I like those units too, but I think the Garmin is more user friendly.....or I'm just used to the Garmin since I've had it longer. I like using the Garmin as a GPS on the console and the HDS-5 as the console fishfinder. I prefer this configuration over running a split screen single unit. I use the HDS-7 on the bow. I like the bigger unit up there, so I can run it split screen and still have the screens big enough to see.
I believe my Lowrance units are better on the fishfinder side, however, I'm comparing a new Lowrance to a 6 year old Garmin. The new Garmins may be better now. If my Garmin would die tomorrow, I'm not sure what I'd so. I've had good luck with the Garmin GPS, but I think I'd upgrade my bow unit to a HDS -8 and move the 7 to the console as a fishfinder and use the 5 as a GPS.