The Lowrance and Humminbird debate is a favorite of any fisherman. Their debates are fierce, with both sides claiming to be better than the other. Both sides have their die-hard fans, and will stand behind their favorite brand. Both brands have their pros and cons and have similar features for their products. I’ve analyzed Lowrance Vs Humminbird fish finders across the board, and came up with this review blog post.
The two brands both have dependable customer service. A case for both brands will compare the two to one another to find out how similar and different they are. Some people will stick with their preferences, but it helps to get an idea of what each brand features.
Lowrance Vs Humminbird
About Lowrance Fish Finder
Since 1957, Lowrance has designed and developed fish finders. They’re credited with the first recreational sonar and have developed a new feature, the DownScan Imaging feature. It uses Broadband Sounder Technology and strives to make their products better each year. Their products are used to locate and target open-water baitfish, gamefish, and cover.
You can use the fish finders to look beneath the water to give you an advantage while you’re fishing. It has always helped anglers to get the best fishing spots to bring home the biggest catch. The prices on the fish finders are low compared to their competitors. Their compact units are ideal for any angler looking for a small device.
Lowrance Elite 3x Fish Finder
Lowrance Elite 3X fishfinder with 83/200 Transducer will best fit your requirement. Because it comes with a packaging of all the advanced features that you would find in a first class fish finder with a color display in a compact version and in a range that is also affordable.
I am suggesting this device for you because you don’t need to spend too much on clarity of display when you can get in nominal amount to save you hard earned money.
You are going to get broadband sonar feature to accommodate you with 10x sensitivity of those models competing in analog fish finders. That way you could get better structure and detail with reduced cutters and lower drainage of your battery. Along these features, you will also be happy with the increased life of the transducer.
Outstanding Frequency
Elite 3-X provides operations in dual frequency modes including 83 KHz and 200 KHz, where the former is used to provide you conical coverage up to 60 degree for display of largest fish arches along with searching facility in large areas.
Whereas the 200 KHz will provide you the best target separation of fish in conical coverage of 20 degrees. When we consider its display, you will find that the 240×360 LED screen will provide you menus and screen details in both cases when you are operating in sunlight and night time.
User Friendly Navigation
You can navigate through the menu by arrow keys and enter button provided for user interaction. The broadband sounder is designed to help the user with distinguishable fish arches, bottom hardness, structure details, bottom contour and much more. Even if you are a beginner, it will provide you fish ID option so that you can easily identify fish.
Feature Highlights
- Display dimensions: (H5.64” x 3.71”Wx1.85” D)
- Display resulations: 320 x 240
- Item Weight: 2 pounds
- Operating frequencies: (83KHz, 200KHz)
- Product Dimensions: 3.8 x 1.9 x 6.5 inches
Lowrance Elite 7X Fish Finder
Lowrance Elite 7X that offers the biggest screen display among the others. It will surely provide you the best results as it did to 78% of its users on Amazon.
I suggest this tool because along with other qualities, it also offers a 7” wide-screen view to accommodate the user with the perfect combination of brightness, contrast, and resolution. To facilitate better usage and viewing in both the daylight and night time, the screen and keypad backlights are designed to be adjustable according to need of the user.
Opportunities
Lowrance Elite 7X is available in sounder using 250 watts RMS power and an operating frequency of 83/200 kHz. On the other hand, you can use the Down Scan sonar features at an operating frequency of 455/800 kHz. This facilitates the user with high-definition details of all the objects underneath the boat along with the structure at the bottom.
Selectable frequency Features help the user get wide and deep aspects of imaging coverage. I have observed in many devices that you might not get accurate results if the object is under the boat. But in case of Elite 7X the innovative feature of Down Scan, imaging is specially designed to overcome this problem. As a result this device provides the user with complete details, including baitfish, structure, thermo clines and bottom right underneath the boat.
Feature Highlights
- Display size: 7 inches super bright
- Item weight: Approximately 6 pounds
- Operating frequencies Standard: Sonar 50/200 kHz
- Operating frequencies HD: Sonar 455/800 kHz
Also Read: Best Lowrance Fish Finder – Top Option in the Market
Lowrance Elite 5X HDI
Lowrance Elite-5X HDI is equipped to serve the user on dual frequency 83/200 kHz and 455/800 kHz with its high-quality transducer. Its SolarMAX 256 color TFT is built and designed to serve with matchless brightness and contrast of display, the best resolution of 480×480 pixels on its 5 inches screen.
It also accommodates the user with wider angles and better view ability in direct sunlight. I can also adjust the keypad and screen backlight according to my need in cases of sunlight and night view.
The features that in my opinion make Elite-5X HDI the best are the dual imaging capabilities equipped with a combo of a conventional 300 watt broadband sounder and the Down Scan imaging with high resolution. The picture produced by this device turns out to be the best, because it is easily understandable for an average user.
HDI Technology
I suggest fishermen to use this device because it uses its 250 watts 50 kHz to provide underwater readings as low as 1000 ft with the best quality. What makes it stand out among the other fish finder in this range is the combination of HDI technology with the traditional Down Scan imaging and the broadband sounder; which provides the user with the most amazing imaging in a high-resolution display.
I find Elite-5X HDI as the best fish finder to be suggested to the people who love fishing. That’s because unlike other ordinary fish finders available in the market, it uses its HDI technology. As a result it not only provides you structure underneath your boat but also makes you able to locate every individual fish.
You get both the bottom and structure on your single screen due to the combination of sonar with its HDI technology; which helps you to locate every submerged object along with the fish.
Reviews
After I reviewed this device, I found that it uses advanced technology for signal processing so that the user finds it easy to use. You can use the multi screen display to have three screens at the same time on the same device. In my opinion you’ll find this is the most ideal fish finder you have ever used.
The Good
The price of the smaller units is perfect for anyone who wants to go out fishing on the weekends. The Lowrance Hook-3X DSI is the perfect fish finder with DownScan Imaging. If you want to spend a few extra bucks, the Lowrance Hook 4 allows you to plot your positions. If you like the idea of charting your positions but want a bigger screen, the Lowrance Hook 4x is perfect.
The Bad
Some of the larger units don’t have the technological advantage over their competitors. The larger models’ best feature is the screen size, which doesn’t always help you. A lot of the features you find on the smaller units are helpful for a better price. Though it is nice to see more of your surroundings, the price tag doesn’t justify the amount you’re paying just for a the extra few inches.
About Humminbird Fish Finder
Humminbird has its roots seated in the United States. Since its founding in Eufaula, Alabama in 1971, they have been going through an innovation streak which make them one of the best in the industry. Their products are well-known among the fishing community.
They strive to make fishing a better sport for any level of angler, and pride themselves on their smart technology and improve upon their prior successes.
Humminbird delivers to over 100 countries, through local businesses and larger chains. Their revolutionary designs have impressed many people with their ability to locate the best fishing spots. The products are some of the best available.
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 197
I am going to introduce you the Humminbird PiranhaMAX 197. This is not an expensive model; you are easily going to find this fish finder below $200. This device is offered in a black-and-white display.
The sonar of this device is a dual beam operational with the use of 200 kHz and 455 kHz to allow the user view structure and fish as deep as 600 feet below.
You can view the readings on the device even in sunlight with its clear edge grayscale display on its small-screen size of 4 inches only.
Feature Highlights
- Working range: 600 feet
- Display size: 3.5 inches
- Dual beam sonar
- Display: grayscale 16 level
- Product weight: 11 pounds
- Display resolution: 240 x 320
Humminbird ICE 35 Fish Finder
If you are an enthusiast of ice fishing then you are going to find my next recommendation helpful. You must try Humminbird ICE 35 Fish Finder. It appears to be the top rated fish finder on amazon with 94% of the users finding it above average.
The most amazing feature in this device that you are going to love is the flexibility of its zoom. You can zoom not only to the immediate bottom of your boat but you will also be in a position to zoom any particular part of the water to get enhanced details of the fish and structure at the bottom.
In order to provide clear display for readings the device uses fiber-optic display that consists of three colors. The device is configured to automatically set the flasher according to the lake bottom by using its extreme temperature LCD technology.
You can have up to 200 ft. depth easily viewed with the best results and better quality with its dual frequency working and 800 watts power. The greatest thing about this fish finder is that it is available in a low-range price of around $300.
Feature Highlights
- Frequency: Dual frequency manually selectable
- Display: fiber optic display enriched with 3 colors
- Working range: 200 ft
Also Read: Best Humminbird Fish Finder – Choose the Right One for You
Humminbird 859ci HD GPS Combo
Humminbird 859ci HD GPS/Sonar Combo stands among the fish finder that are available with the most advanced features in range of $500. It carries an overall 4.6 star rating by its random users on Amazon.
I recommend this device to those who really want to enjoy fishing with a wide display of 7 inches. It is equipped with backlit LED display that enables the user to get crystal clear imaging even in direct sunlight.
In order to enhance coverage area underwater humminbird 859ci is equipped with Dual Beam Plus. 4000 watts PTP output makes it stand out as a powerful device among the other fish finders of this range.
Multiple Feature
As you can see from the name Humminbird 859ci is the device with combo features including a GPS and a fish finder. It is equipped with dual SD-card slots to provide the user with the internal feature of GPS and built-in cartography.
You can use both the slots in order to store your sonar recordings, way points and screenshots on one slot and the other to fulfill your need of cartography.
Feature Highlights
- Display size: VGA display 7 inches
- Internal GPS/Sonar Combo
- Dual Beam PLUS with Switch fire
- High Speed processor
- Item weight: Approximately 8 pounds
- Product Dimension: 18 x 14.2 x 5.2 inches
The Good
Humminbird is a leader in innovative technology, leaving their competitors in the dust. They designed the first 360-degree SONAR and Side Imaging to give anglers the best views. Their products prove they will take risks to make the best products on the market. The Side Imaging has changed the way fishing is conducted. When the first Side Imaging models became available, they were only in the higher-end products.
The Bad
Considering the quality of the products, you are going to have to spend more money for Humminbird products. Their smaller products don’t produce results as well as Lowrance, which limits your options. If you’re not looking at spending a lot of money for a fish finder, Lowrance is the better option.
The advanced and newer technology does come at a price, and if you can afford to spend more money, the Humminbird is the ideal product for you. Humminbird does make quality products, but you have to consider the amount you’re paying.
Conclusion
While the two products offer a lot of quality features, you need to look at how you plan on using those products. Humminbird has the most advanced technology, though it is costlier than the competitors. Lowrance offers plenty of cost-friendly options, but the technology in bigger models aren’t as good.
It’s a debate that will never be settled, but at least you have options to choose from. Their products are the best on the market, so you know you’re getting a quality product for the right price. If you are still unsure about what to get, you can try both of them out and see what works for you.
Leon says
If I’m looking to spend 500.00 to 1,000.00 dollars, am I getting more bang for my buck with Hummingbird?
Steven Mark says
Leon, Take a look our best Humminbird fish finder post, Hope so you’ll get your right fishfinder,
https://fishfindly.com/best-humminbird-fish-finder/
Mike says
I run both, helix 9 and and hook 9. By far, hands down, the hook 9 outperfoms the bird. Both are great units, but if I could only have one of the two, the hook would be my choice.