Lowrance or Humminbird? Which $1,000 Unit Should You Buy?

[@CastToCatch]

Hey Johnny! I've seen pretty much all of your videos for the past year or so. Since I started tournament fishing. About 2 months ago I was doing an open. I was beating bank and just coming up short. I had my side scan on and as i was moving saw a rock pile in about 15 foot. I back out and casted a 4.3 keitech and creeped it over those rocks. Long short short. I won that tournament. And got a podium finish in the next, and last, tournament of the year. Doing exactly what you preach. Graph! I recently practiced at popular lake here which hold many tournaments and decided to throw a jig. Again in rock pile that I graphed. I killed. Basically, when I was on the water I knew what I needed to do based on what I've seen in your videos. But I never practiced it. But lately I feel like a completely different angler. Thank you! I just picked up some of your jigs from jewel. Excited to throw them. What I was hoping, can you spend some time talking about AZ lakes? Our lakes are al extremely deep. 45° banks that drop to 50/60 foot quick. I just dont know what to do from a practical perspective. Thanks man. And always keep it reel. Dont sell out. Be you. That's what we love.

[@Internutt2023]

You didn't cover the "Fish Reveal" function on the Lowrance Elite, It incorporates a selectable pallet "overlay" from the standard sonar onto the image on the down imaging view, making it easier to see that something around a rock, or tree or brush pile is actually a fish in the down imaging view. I personally do like the detail of the bottom that the Elite gives over the Helix @ 6:19 you can easily see some streaks on the bottom on the Elite screen that I don't think the Helix is revealing, even discounting the graininess from the capture changing the image. And @ 13:39, I do like the fact that the Elite indicates the bottom with a brown color, while the Helix blends the brushpile into a yellow blob with the bottom. I was looking at a new unit for my boat, and I think that from your info, and for my experience, the Elite is a better choice.

[@kingsalmon5905]

I am a humminbird guy, but this is some great information. Thank you for your time in this video.

[@guyb5333]

Great info. For the Humminbird, I found that if select a single 2D frequency i get better target separation, similar to your Lowrance picture of the brush pile. Some of the humminbirds are set up to run two frequencies when using 2D which gives you two separate cone angles simultaneously and those images are combined on the display. By trial and error I found that this does make things look more Blobby. For bass fishing I always pick the frequency that gives me the widest sonar cone. Interestingly, on some units you can set it up to display one 2D frequency on the left and the another 2D frequency on the right. If you run them both together they get Blended together and will give you pictures like you have shown.

[@jamesadams1357]

Thank you Johnny, I've been debating on these very two units I'll say it again, you're the hardest working guy in the business.

[@dasimcoes]

Great comparison. I haven’t owned/used a newer lowrance unit, but have used Hummingbird and liked it. Currently have a Garmin sv93 and it’s all I need. I don’t get paid to fish. Just me and my son fishing on the weekends.

[@jovandjukic5923]

I own Humminbird 10 Mega SI+ G3N because of better imaging for SI and DI. Better resolution.

[@jasonrutherfordbassfishing]

I know that everyone says Humminbird is the best image but I ran 12” Helix Gen 4’s and Lowrance HDS12’s literally side by side on the dash and bow for 6 months and the Lowrance was easily better for me. The Humminbird was a pain to fine tune. I went back to Garmin because with the GT56 and even GT54 in some cases I can fine tune them to beat both in down and side image. That being said they are all the same for the most part and it’s all what your comfortable with it’s like apple vs android… For the best bang for your buck and phenomenal customer service Garmin hands down!!

[@maxcole3930]

It would also be nice to see comparison of higher end models with higher screen resolutions. Like solix, hds live & echomap ultra. No one has ever done a spot on spot side by comparison of them like that

[@masongriglack1396]

Just got a Lowrance hds 9 live on sale for 1,000 super excited to use it

[@rodrigoelgu]

I'm waiting for Friday to get the 106ultra and get livescope

[@masongriglack1396]

Crazy deals right now it’s awesome

[@sprinter144]

Good honest comparison.

[@danham3344]

Fantastic as always Jonny! Yes, I'm a true fan and watched to the end. 😂 A big consideration for me is that as far as I can find, the Hummingbird has a water level compensation setting which here in the west is a huge deal. It's difficult to navigate a lake that is 180ft low without it. As far as I can tell, Lowrance doesn't have this feature. If you have a different opinion or knowledge on this I would love to hear your input. Thanks again for the great content.

[@bugman34202]

From the images I see from you, I like the Lowrance images better !

[@douglasspickler4925]

Now that is a excellent, honest, in-depth comparison of the units. I've used Lowrance more over the years but have had Zercom, Hummingbird and Garmin also. If my boat sells I was considering Hummingbird on my new boat because of the mapping. However I am on the east coast so I appreciate the tips on the mapping. Great job.

[@stevenvanetti6507]

Great video! I'm about to order my first bass boat and have a choice between the Lorance Elite FS 9 or the Hummingbird 9 MSI. Looks like I'll be choosing the Lorance.

[@m14hh5]

You make some great videos. I own the Humminbird Helix and I didn’t find the settings that hard to sort out. I can definitely see the appeal to the Lowrance with the easy to use settings but I really don’t think the average person should be intimidated by the humminbird settings.

[@straightwhitemale5753]

I agree. I had no issues with the settings and I'm terrible at that stuff.

[@maciejgasiorek5302]

Finally, one proper review. Great job. Keep it up!

[@Nebraskatrapper-wg5ci]

I have a Gen 4 Helix hooked to my ultrex, and a 12 ,10, and 9 garmin, I definitely prefer Garmin over any other brand . Not to mention, Garmin customer service is extremely good along with their warranties. Lowrance is a beginner graph.

[@davehorn1422]

Outstanding video.. very in-depth, great info

[@JohnEastonFishTecCharts]

Its all about who has the best charts for your area.

[@garylandry4214]

hey Johnny, question about the sonar guides...will I have the guide to keep upon purchase to watch over and over again

[@pgm1970]

I have a question. I'm older and fish a small lake for bass and crappie so I won't need mapping. I only want to get one unit to help with locating fish. Can I just use one at the bow or would you rather have yours at the console?

[@erk678]

What is the Garmin Echomap Ultra 126SV .? Would they be a good choice to setup Panoptix livescope LVS32 system?

[@carytoms9500]

I like hummingbirds. Only regret is I didn’t learn the simple 2. D sonar 25 years ago.

[@seantobin8547]

Excellent information. Thank you

[@EricRomines]

I’m 100% a Lowrance guy. But that hummingbird is pretty dang clear. I do wish Lowrance would offer the lake level offset like hummingbird and Garmins do with the map card.

[@dalesharpy9197]

GARMIN is where all the cool kids are moving to for the live view action where I fish in British Columbia, Canada. The new transducer looks a lot like the head of a golf club lol.

[@crystaledwards4509]

So overall the humming looks to be the best option

[@kawishiwib9776]

I run both. H-Bird for mapping & minn-kota control only. Lowrance for all imaging. Mostly because I've had 3 of the last 4 H-bird ducers just fail. 2d, di, si. Like in the first year or so. I've never had Lowrance ducers go bad & I have the fancy ones. Nice images on H-bird...when you have them!

[@scottburgle4889]

Any experience with the mega 360 failing?

[@kawishiwib9776]

Actually no. Original non-mega held up.

[@tristan8054]

You’re running an ultrex with Lowrance imaging?

[@frankolivafishing1919]

Lowrance crushes hummingbird in being able to see fish specifically and humming bird throws wayyy too many shadows when looking for fish down here in Florida. Great video as always!

[@scottburgle4889]

Yes Frank I’ve heard that before…..my question is this. Obviously not on this model as tested but a Humminbird with mega 360. Would that be better for someone trying to zone in on areas rather than specific fish? I just feel that I could do better finding areas that would hold fish vs finding specific fish if that makes sense to you?

[@frankolivafishing1919]

@@scottburgle4889 yes absolutely. The 360 is Perfect for when you have active fish, Roaming expansive areas or when fish are glued to the bottom. Every unit excels In its own way for certain situation.

[@MJ_Bass]

Mega imaging frequencies can blow through fish. Sure, the rock pile or tree looks better, but who cares if you can’t see fish. Can always bump the frequency down though.

[@denise1537]

Thank you, we are beginners and have the Lowrance!! I appreciate the video. How can we get the lake list?

[@rolltidech]

Do you ever use the fish reveal on you Lowrance??

[@fishingmanifesto]

This was really helpful

[@mikezajac6381]

Depth and side distance would be nice to know.

[@ronknight6400]

Are you planning on making a Solix gen 3 sonar guide? I hope so.

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Garmin for me and never looked back

[@johnmedvid567]

Great video

[@zurikin]

@fish the moment can we get a detailed video of humminbird's mega live settings and tweaks? not a lot of detailed videos out there. -certain points to make in the video should be about software update, cone settings, and different sensitivity and contrast settings with before and after would really help us regular guys out. we're all trying to make our screens look like the pros and could def use your help

[@zurikin]

if it helps, its the ice helix 9 mega live the bunch of us are all working on

[@TheFISHIN14]

Do you hsve sonar settings document for livescope..

[@tdflooringtd]

Sold all my Lowrance and went Garmin..never looked back. Customer service with Lowrance was horrible

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Yep main reason I'll never buy a lowrance unit ever again

[@terrygrasty4371]

What Garmin fish finders did you go with I'm looking for one for crappy fishing

[@XploreAz]

@@terrygrasty4371 I would go with no fish finder if you want crappy fishing.

[@Mike_Gs]

@@terrygrasty4371i would recommend the 93sv for lakes. Cheapest unit capable of using live scope great graph and transducer. can find deals on them a lot too

[@przemysaw124]

Hello Which Echo do you recommend me Lowrance Elite FS 9 ACTIVE IMAGING 3IN1 or Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 102sv With GT56UHD-TM transducer Which one do you think is better? Can you advise me?

[@kevinskovenski]

Could use your expertise, I’m looking at purchasing a new trolling motor and add a bow mounted fish finder. I really like Lowrance ti and currently use it on my console. Also currently have an old Minn kota powerdrive. What would you recommend for a combo?

[@kennethlangford5797]

One more quick question Johnny if I upgrade my Garmin unit from the 93 SV would I be able to change lake levels on another unit cuz I do like the image quality of the Garmin and the price point

[@JESSEPAVON]

What about the Lowrance elite fs 7? Please give me advice.

[@kennethlangford5797]

Quick question can you adjust the lake levels on the lowrance cmaps that is a big turn off for me on Garmin

[@moodybasser]

this is a nice video. thanks.

[@oldfishermanandhisdog]

I'm wanting to buy a unit but I'm lost as to what brand or which unit. I fish out of a Tracker Panfish 16 stick steer so I never leave the front seat so only one unit is needed. I'd like one that does it all including forward facing if that's possible? I'm not on a budget yet I don't wish to spend a huge amount on something that a system less expensive would be just as effective. I like a system that's user friendly, your help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[@kenrickkisch3278]

I’ll be at table rock lake for a week in March any advice?

[@clewis382]

Humminbird. Just easier to work and move around unit

[@vhype233]

I auto chart a home lake. How do I get that information on the computer to review?

[@CT-gc1ck]

Could you compare this to the 106sv Garmin that has been on sale for black Fridays 2 years in a row for 999? You can even get another hundred off making it 899 if you decide to use the credit card from the place that sells it. The 106sv is 10 inch vs 9, as well. Thank you! Great work as usual.

[@reubengordon456]

As an electronics newbie, what unit would be a good value for a weekend angler?

[@MJ_Bass]

My boat came pre rigged with humminbird helix units, and after two years I finally dumped them. Couldn’t handle the laggy performance and frequent restarts needed. Plus the user interface is awful, and no touch screen is a huge downside. Not to mention the awful 2d on the humminbirds which is a big deal for me. The lowrance is far better for the price, but personally I went with garmins. If it wasn’t for mega 360 and lakemaster mapping, I have no idea why anyone would run birds.

[@Heater509]

To compare apples to apples, you need the carbon on live units. FS is a budget minded graph

[@FishtheMoment]

The HDS Carbon or HDS live cost $2,500. The comparable humminbird unit is the Solix. It’s also $2,500. The graphs compared in this video are both around $1,000. So this is an apples to apples comparison.

[@cajunnathan4586]

Thx!

[@txg1275]

Currently I have a lowrance ti2 with a 3 in 1 transducer but I am very tempted by the mega 360 imaging to make my target casting more accurate/efficient. But you are giving me pause with this video that maybe I should stay in the lowrance ecosystem. Do you think 360 imaging is as powerful as I'm imagining it to be? I can use marker bouys and waypoints to hit my casts now but I was hoping 360 could eliminate some of that "prep" work when I pull up on a spot

[@FishtheMoment]

I’ve had 360 imaging on my boat for 2 years and don’t really use it anymore after getting more comfortable with live sonar. If I were you, I would just buy a Lowrance Active Target. You can find objects easily with forward facing sonar and see fish on each piece of cover. I’ve be making a 360 imaging review soon if you want to wait on that.

[@txg1275]

@@FishtheMoment I'm pretty specifically not interested in live imaging of any kind. It's not the kind of fishing I'm looking to do. If you remove forward facing sonar from the equation, does it change your thoughts?

[@theoutdoorchannel9283]

Get you the HUMMINBIRD Mega + It Will Smash Everyone Garmin Lowrance And Others unit device …No beating The HUMMINBIRD MEGA LOL 😆 💪

[@jjackson6928]

Excellent

[@mattman8822]

Would you take humming bird over garmin?

[@maxcole3930]

Awesome comparison It would b cool see Garmin in this comparison. I'm in market for a 10"unit. It will be my first graph. I've been an avid kayak angler for 8yrs now. Finally ready to buy a unit. Are you going to compare Garmin to these units? Lowrance is about drop hds pro now their running 400 & 12-1200 instead of 800. So I'm curious to see what their images look like with new 3n1 transducer?

[@freshlysaltedfishing8500]

I truly love garmin they have the best everything easy to use best picture quality and best transducers for the buck. But being a yak angler myself the lowrance offers a great picture and is way easier to use on the fly. Getting the perfect picture quality is not as important on a yak you mainly just want to see where the fish are and how they are holding.

[@MassReelFishing]

The million dollar question is, if factoring live sonar in, which brand do you go with?

[@HammerDog600]

Randy Blaukat should be doing a comparison soon on that. lol

[@MassReelFishing]

@@HammerDog600 😂I’m sure it will be amazing 😂

[@MassReelFishing]

A little bit more expensive? Isn’t the Humminbird 50% more? Lakemaster maps is a huge plus for Humminbird. Hopefully Lowrance steps up their side scan with the HDS Pro.

[@jorgesalinas6926]

The pictures, they look better in Humminbird

[@MrLandslide84]

HAHA me and gramps bought a hummingbird in like.... 1998? Ran on two lantern batteries or the boat battery. Downscan only. Would CONSTANTLY go off. Fish fish fish fish! All lies lol. You could put the transponder to your ear and hear the clicks. Technology has went leaps and bounds since then apparently (stopped fishing when he passed.... getting into again, passing it to kids).

[@dwayneblanchette]

Any buddies i have running birds are always wondering how i have such great imaging on my HDS Live units. Bird menu/settings are a joke.

[@straightwhitemale5753]

Lowrance customer service is a joke. Hds is more expensive than a helix. Can't compare.

[@BubbaBassAnglers]

Humminbird has higher resolution. Humminbird - 1024H x 600V Lowrance - 800x480

[@FishtheMoment]

That’s correct. It’s frustrating because when you take a screenshot with a Humminbird unit, the resolution of the photo drops a lot and looks worse that it actually does on the graph in real life. I’ve talked with Humminbird about this and they don’t have a great workaround. Only the take a photo or video of the screen with a camera… not great on sunny days.

[@rodrigoelgu]

How about garmin?

[@FishtheMoment]

I’ll be doing reviews and comparisons with Garmin units in future videos. HB Vs Garmin, Garmin Vs Lowrance, Garmin Vs Garmin, etc.

[@rodrigoelgu]

@@FishtheMoment thanks I wanna to buy a garmin that's why I ask only reason is for the livescope I seem to like the side can on humminbirds better.

[@DominicDoanFishing]

I was just ask that question too 😂. Upgrading 800p resolution from 480p 😮

[@mikewest712]

Garmin makes a self landing device for airplanes. When I called them while setting up my fish finder they knew everything about my unit,first person I spoke with. Life long Garmin user after that.

[@acecolby5545]

Garmin. You should buy garmin

[@MrSki-tyvm]

Im lmao because Garmin is hands down superior to both, especially now with Garmin s massive compatibility and simple user friendly touch screen. Lastly and more importantly is Garmin 9 inch echo SV units have a huge resolution advantage over both. Hummingbird just can't compete with Garmin anymore......I also hate....I really mean hate that Hummingbird doesn't include a protective cover.....that extra and extra for something you spend hundreds on is garbage.

[@bowmn31]

Garmin

[@samuelmoll1388]

Hummingbird is hands down better in shallow water. I get incredibly clear images with my hummingbirds in 2.5-3 foot deep. You just can’t do that with a Lowrance

[@straightwhitemale5753]

You should just be able to look down over the boat in just 3 ft of water. Lol

[@johnnyjames8660]

You keep talking about setting so what were they? Show us because beside doing that you could be considered favorably one over the other.

[@gfreeify]

You have to pay for them on that website he was talking about

[@joenewmeyer8358]

Humminbird is better and they honor their rebates. Ordered 2 lowrance units 2 years ago because of their so-called rebates. Rebates from lowrance didn't happen. Screw them

[@luciussander8217]

Garmin all day long.

[@travislalonde8310]

Dollar for dollar, Garmin > all

[@kb1344x]

How can you compare the school of crappie on one vs the other if you didn’t take them at the exact same moment? That is misleading IMHO

[@leeyarbrough9636]

Hummingbird by a ping shot lowrance not even close to same image. Don’t waste ya money on lowrance.

[@Yarrum19]

I knew before I watched this clip that he would be anti Humminbird. He always has been. I bought a lowrance on a recommendation of a pro. Big mistake.

[@FishtheMoment]

I actually use my Humminbird Helix unit more than any other unit. My first graphs on my boat were humminbird units and I’ve always had a humminbird graph on my boat for the past 10 years. I tried to give the pros and cons of both units in this video despite personally using the Helix unit more than the Elite FS unit.

[@JustinLee15]

He was unbiased and honest. Nobody understands what you’re talking about?