rubble Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 Had my hopes to upgrade my nav unit at the helm to a Simrad EVO but not sure I want to drop that into a unit that is primarily for navigation. I could get by with a more affordable Lowrance that will run the FMT Charts. Not too familiar with Lowrance. I borrowed a buddy’s HDS a couple of times to run the FMT but need to bite the bullet and get one installed. Any suggestions on best bang for the buck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 I’ve run a HDS 12 for a long time. My new boat came with a Simrad. There is minor differences between the two. I suggest you buy the 12” unit, although the 9” model is significantly cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 I switched from garmin a couple of yeas ago for FMT. Originally bought a 12 inch carbon for the the 22. It died in 12 months and navico replaced it with an HDS live under warranty. Huge difference between the 2 screen wise and construction. The HDS had it all over the carbon. Sold that boat. In the meantime switched out the garmin for a 9 inch lowrance TI-2 on the Maverick. I couldn’t justify the price point at that time. It’s just ok and I have trouble seeing the track In bright sun. Mean while the new to us pathfinder came with a 9 inch HDS live and again is night and day better than the TI-2. Bottom line HDS is the only way to go as far as I am concerned but I am now 73 so my sight is not as good as it used to be. The 9 inch HDS is going in the Maverick and a new 12 into the pathfinder. A couple of other comments. Navico customer service *** so make sure you buy from someone who knows the product. There are a couple Grus on this forum as well. Their warranty is interesting and if you have a failure you get a chance for an upgrade replacement but it’s a bitch getting someone on the phone that speaks good English so patience is a must. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplec Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 What Chuck said ☝️ I run the Lowrance Live 9" HDS and it is exceptional. You can search these threads and see some photos of it in action. Lowrance is Simrad. Same company. SImrad controls maybe just tailored to the offshore deepwater market perhaps and Lowrance the bass and shallow water crowd maybe. Certainly the bass folks like em. You may say its primary use is nav but once you run their 3 in 1 transducer and see the downscan and side scan images you will love those features too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B Posted October 4, 2021 Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 I've run both the Simrad and Lowrance for the better part of the last 10 years. I've had just about every version of Lowrance and the latest HDS LIVE units are the best they have made. They are a lower profile design compared to previous versions and definitely look sleeker. I personally like the menus and feel of the Lowrance better than the Simrad, but that's probably because i'm just more familiar with it. The Simrad has always had the sexy factor... they are the sleekest, thinnest, flush mount capable unit that you can mount on a slick piece of black acrylic and get that showroom look that many of the high end builders want. I don't think you can go wrong with either unit, but my preference is the HDS LIVE and that's what I just purchased for my new boat. Josh B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted October 4, 2021 Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 if you have the $$$$ and I mean $$$$ go SIMRAD...it's like Cadillac vs all others....I had a Simard EVO 2 which i then upgraded / traded to a Lowrance....can't remember the exact model..but, West Marine gave me full credit for about $1K and it runs great for what I need.. The SIMRAD HAS THE SPINNING WHEEL FOR IN/OUT VIEWING...LOWRANCE HAS THE PLUS / MINUS BUTTONS.. If U gots DA MO-knee....go SIMRAD....IF NOT, LOWRANCE HAS SOME VERY GOOD ALTERNATIVES ABOUT $2K LESS. DC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FINCHASER Posted October 4, 2021 Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 x5 on the HDS Live. Its give and take between sim and HDS on what tickles your fancy.... Sims knob as Dino said is handy for zooming in and out. I too prefer HDS menu layout and Sim leaves you stuck with an info bar that is either on or off that takes up alot of screen real estate.... HDS you can overlay individual data wherever you want and piece size, boxed or unboxed etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted October 4, 2021 Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 Im still running a handheld . Dunno , different strokes I guess ! 🇺🇸🏴☠️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted October 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 13 hours ago, THE OUTLAW said: Im still running a handheld . Dunno , different strokes I guess ! 🇺🇸🏴☠️ Down View, Side View or Both? LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted October 5, 2021 Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 Maui Jim view ! 🇺🇸🏴☠️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 I'd love to have an HDS-12 on my Mav 17' but the console is a bit small so I am going with a 9 and dumping my Garmin unit so I can go with FMT software... can't wait to finish that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted October 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 1 hour ago, DaveC said: I'd love to have an HDS-12 on my Mav 17' but the console is a bit small so I am going with a 9 and dumping my Garmin unit so I can go with FMT software... can't wait to finish that. HDS (standard), Carbon or the Live unit? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted October 8, 2021 Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 20 hours ago, DaveC said: I'd love to have an HDS-12 on my Mav 17' but the console is a bit small so I am going with a 9 and dumping my Garmin unit so I can go with FMT software... can't wait to finish that. Dave, I have my Lowrance mounted on a Balzout...works well. Check my Holy Ghost Post to see it. dc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 Thanks D... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 On 10/7/2021 at 12:43 PM, rubble said: HDS (standard), Carbon or the Live unit? I think Carbon... Need to do some more research on what I really want? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplec Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 My .02 is get the latest gen available. Carbon is soon to be 3 generations old. Live is current Lowrance but their parent Simrad just refreshed so Lowrance update to Live is inbound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 What Triplec says. No comparison between carbon and HDS. HDS all the way for the extra money. I have that teeshirt already and every time I try to save a buck on this Navico stuff it jumps up and bites me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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