garmin or lowrance

[bikrsrule]

Well, open water will be here before we know it and I want to upgrade my fishfinder on my freshwater trolling boat, I have a lowrance with gps now but looking at the new color fishfinders, garmin or lowrance..you opinions would be appreciated..

[TheCrittaC]

I like my Striker 4. The only thing I don't like about it is that if you go into a view before it syncs with GPS, the speed doesn't show up until you exit and re-enter the view. It's not a very big deal for me, but it may be for others. I don't have a comparable Lowrance product to compare it to.

[zwiggles]

I’ve got a low range hds-7 gen 2 on our boat. I don’t think I’m going to pull the trigger to replace it quite yet, but when I do it will be with a Garmin product. Panoptix and Live Scope are amazing tech.

[bikrsrule]

I was thinking about the new lowrance color but I read quite a few bad reviews and I like what I read about the garmin..not quite ready to pull the trigger though, thanks for the input..

[Jethro]

If it were me I would definitely get a Garmin. A Panoptix compatible unit even if you don't get it until later.

[bikrsrule]

Hey Jethro, what is panoptix?

[zwiggles]

Hey Jethro, what is panoptix?

Fair warning, once you watch this your head may explode. This is also why I’m going Garmin next time.

This is also there live scope product:

I honestly have not dug too much into these systems because I won’t be upgrading until next fall/spring at the earliest. The tech is just crazy on these units.

[jibbs]

the rave at the bassmaster classic was the new garmin with live scope...I heard it is awesome and it played a big part in hank cherry's win...im in the business of new electronics as well but I can only afford the lowrance elite but I think im waiting one more year...good luck

[bikrsrule]

It will be a bit before I pull the trigger on a new fishfinder but as of right now I am leaning towards the Garmin, not the panoptix though..way too high tech for me.

[skinnywater]

I have a couple of the newer Lowrance in the last 2 years.  I use autopilot on my pontoon, creating your own maps  solid units etc..  I don't care about panoptics or live scope, so for my needs and priorities the lowrance were the best units for me.

[bikrsrule]

I just got back from bass pro and the sale on lowrance swayed me, I got the hook 7" for the same price I would have paid for the hook 5" and not that I think I will use it, the 7 comes with side scan...reports on how it works will be coming soon..

[Johnnh]

I have a striker 5 plus ice package.
I am considering buying another transducer so I can use the unit on my kayak. I am going to put the unit on a rail mount and put power in the front compartment.
Has anyone else done this and does it perform well.

Note: the unit worked well on the ice this year and improved my catch rate when jigging.
Thanks,
John

[Jethro]

I have a couple of the newer Lowrance in the last 2 years.  I use autopilot on my pontoon, creating your own maps  solid units etc..  I don't care about panoptics or live scope, so for my needs and priorities the lowrance were the best units for me.

What autopilot do you have that you are using with Lowrance? A Motorguide? I just bought a Minn Kota Ulterra to give me autopilot with a Humminbird head unit.

[800stealth]

I've been looking at upgrading the sonar on my Nitro... Will probably end up going with a Garmin unit that is panoptix compatible, leaving the options open for the future.

[bikrsrule]

I watched a video about that panoptix..unbelievable ..