HB vs lowarance customer service and product breakdown

LaJ10 · February 02, 2011, 02:52:38 PM

First customer service was fast (only on hold about a minute ) and smart knew exactly what I wanted to know .
Now for the bad there are 2 ways to do it .
1. Have 2 transducers and 1 lss1 unit .Power off the lss1 unit and physically swap the transducer cables,then power back on .
2. have 2 lss1 units and they have new software that will let you switch in between the 2 .
In my opinion that is a big downside of the Lowrance setup .I could deal with having to buy a second transducer since that would be true for either setup ,but to have to buy 2 full lss1 units seems crazy.It just seems that it could not be that hard to have a switch setup as HB does .

Mike Cork · February 02, 2011, 03:34:53 PM

I don't know of any current issues with leakage on HDS units. I have one and believe me it gets a work out rain or shine (try to be on the water 4 days a week). It has worked flawlessly for 2 years (I got it on my boat just after they quit making the 520). All my 520c's before that worked fantastic. Just a word to the wise about forums, one or two unfortunate things happen (product or user responsibility) and it spreads like wild fire.

While I have been fortunate enough to not have to use the customer service of Lowrance (everything I've ever needed was on their website) I do know there were issues a couple years back with their customer service. Lowrance has worked hard to fix that to include having folks on the more popular forums to help answer questions. IMO that shows a lot for a company.

As far as quality of technology, well they both are fantastic. Each user will say theirs is the best. I am a die hard Lowrance user and love the data that is available to me now with the Side Scan and Down Scan.

No matter which company you go with I highly recommend getting the biggest unit you can afford. There is so much information available at any given moment that a larger screen really helps.

LaJ10 · February 02, 2011, 03:52:19 PM

The way I have been looking at it is that if I get the HB I will get a 2d transducer to go with it so that I can mount the SI ducer higher and out of the way .That puts it right in line with the price of the Lowrance .I am trying to see which will be better in the long run if I want to add a ducer to the troll motor or add a screen to the front to keep from having to twist the one by the drivers seat .As far as size I have been looking at the 898 and HDS 7 .That is about my price range .I would really like to go bigger but don't know if I can swing the funds .

DougV · February 02, 2011, 05:18:31 PM

Quote from: LaJ10 on February 02, 2011, 12:59:04 PM
If you add the 2d transducer and y cable to the back will you have to run a switch betweeen the two or will the unit recognize which on it needs while on plane and off plane ?

The AS SI DB Y Cable splits the 2D out of the SI Transducer and only powers the 2D in the second transducer so no switching will be required. So you get 2D readings at any speed and SI/DI when off plane speeds.

LaJ10 · February 03, 2011, 05:46:48 PM

Doug I have been looking at the 2d tranducers .If I am reading correctly then the quadra beam plus is just a small amount more than the "regular" 2d transducer .Can it be used as the secound transducer for a 898 ?Also what about a thru hull for the 2 d transducer ?I know it would be higher but it would also keep it from getting knocked off and needing replaced .If a thru hull would work which would you suggest ?

DougV · February 03, 2011, 08:42:28 PM

The quadrabeam can shoot thru the hull but you would need to use a TS2W Transducer Switch versus the Y Cable to take advantage of all the functions of the QuadraBeam and you will need to change the transducer type each time to see the QuadraBeam screen view. Most just opt for the XP 9 20 Dual Beam because SI will show you more than Quadrabeam.

Mike Cork · February 04, 2011, 10:18:59 AM

For my HDS I have the through hull and mounted the side/down ducer on my jack plate (no holes in boat) so when running I use standard sonar and off pad switch to side image ( takes two key strokes).

As far as temp, if you have a newer motor guide there us a temp probe you can work with. If not it's an add.

Both companies are constantly coming out with updated equipment. Compitition is great for the consumer in quality and pricing.

I'm with coldfront there is only a small margin of difference and if you can play with them side by side and see what works best for you

LaJ10 · February 04, 2011, 12:43:34 PM

Well as soon as I see what taxes I will have to pay I will be getting the 898 HB .Mike you helped me make my decision .When you said get the biggest screen you can afford .I thought about that alot and after looking at both .I like the size on the screen of the 898 best .If I could afford the hds 8 then it would be alot harder decision .When it seems that as far as the side imaging that are very comparable size does matter LOL .
I may opt for the thru hull 2d transducer not sure yet .Doug which two 2d transducer do you recommend for either thru hull or exterior transom ?

coldfront · February 04, 2011, 12:57:08 PM

Quote from: LaJ10 on February 04, 2011, 12:43:34 PM
Well as soon as I see what taxes I will have to pay I will be getting the 898 HB .Mike you helped me make my decision .When you said get the biggest screen you can afford .I thought about that alot and after looking at both .I like the size on the screen of the 898 best .If I could afford the hds 8 then it would be alot harder decision .When it seems that as far as the side imaging that are very comparable size does matter LOL .
I may opt for the thru hull 2d transducer not sure yet .Doug which two 2d transducer do you recommend for either thru hull or exterior transom ?

La,
I know the Lowrance units come with the 'traditional' transducer...would assume it's much the same for the HB...

with Lowrance, you would need to purchase the added items...(it's been a while so I can't say how much that runs now...)...

But truthfully, if you CAN get the side imaging capability...I'd go for it...it makes 'that' much of a difference once you get comfortable with it..otherwise, there's a lot less spendy units out there that will allow you to do what you want...

But if side imaging is where you're headed...I don't know that you can get there fast enough...

LaJ10 · February 04, 2011, 01:42:32 PM

Coldfront I am going with side imaging .From what I have found the hds 7 with added structure scan and the HB 898 if I add a 2d transducer so that I can keep the SI ducer higher are priced almost exactly the same .The biggest difference I can see is that the screen on the 898 is larger and for me seemed to be a clearer image .If I have the funds after taxes are paid I may look at the hds 8 more .To me it is a notch above the 898 ,but is higher priced of coarse.

coldfront · February 04, 2011, 02:13:00 PM

LaJ,
for what it's worth: I use lowrance...and love them/it...and have high confidence in the company.

I also would bet that IF I had an HB I'd feel the same way...

they're all good units...and they do almost identical things...from what I can see, it won't be the unit that limits the anglers...regardless of whether it's a Lowrance or a 'bird...

LaJ10 · February 04, 2011, 04:02:45 PM

After talking to some people I felt as tho the customer service was fine with lowrance (remember I called them myself ) and felt that it was a good unit .The one thing that they did not beat was as Mike said buy the biggest screen you can afford. I will say that I like the Lowrance hds 8 much better than the 7 just because of the screen size but for the money I like the 898 better than the comperable priced hds 7

Mike Cork · February 04, 2011, 04:48:23 PM

When it comes time to pull the trigger look at the HDS 8 hard, with it's quick keys navigation is very easy. The things you will use most will be at your finger tips. I hear ya about the money, this technology is not cheap but it sure is fun to play with

-Bryan- · February 05, 2011, 11:33:25 AM

For me I just decided that to avoid dealing with Lowrance, I will deal with a vendor (Star Marine Depot) instead. They have the same pricing and are incredibly responsive to customer concerns, the staff there is top notch and they sell all the major brands, not just Lowrance.

LaJ10 · February 12, 2011, 10:21:01 PM

Wanted to let everyone know I decided (with some help from the IRS) to get a HB898 .I ordered online .Got it in Thursday and installed it today .I am hopefully going to try it out tomorrow .I am waiting on a 2D transducer I also ordered for reading on plane,but that shouldn't stop me from trying the SI out .All said and done I will have about $1500 in the 898 , 2d transducer , Y cable to run both transducers and ram mount . Once I figure out how to do some things I will post up some screen shots and install pics .
Thanks to everyone for the advice and question answering .