Humminbird Onix vs Lowrance 3rd Gen

This topic has 9 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 2 months ago by Basscatdreams.

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April 1, 2016 at 6:09 am #434265

Scooty
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I like the Birds 360 objective. Does anyone have this & what are your thoughts. Just wanted to get some peoples thoughts & opinions of the two.

April 1, 2016 at 3:02 pm #434266

Jstew
Participant

Funny – Ive heard very little chatter about the HB360, but the web is lit up over the Garmin Panoptics….. As long as 360s been out – youd think there would be a ton of chatter if it was a game changer. JMHO

April 1, 2016 at 3:10 pm #434267

Aruss1984
Participant

Im partial to HB, ive never run lowrance but i know lot of guys like them and like them. I bought the onix 8 SI last spring and am blown away by it. I went with it because of the 360 possibility if i wanted to add it on later but havent done it yet. I got a very good deal because Cabelas made a large mistake because they priced their SI model at the price of the non-SI model which they quickly corrected after I pointed it out haha. I know a lot of guys are saying they really like the Helix and the price point is much less with similar capabilities to the Onix. The Helix 9 and above can all be networked as well. Ive also heard the Onix hasnt sold well because of its price point which is why theyre pushing the Helix so hard. If price is a concern as it is for most of us, the Helix will provide you with very similar capabilities as the Onix for less $$. I have no opinion on Lowrance because I have no experience with it

April 1, 2016 at 3:22 pm #434268

94eyracat
Participant

I just ordered Helix 9 and a 10 the biggest factor for me was the autochart live right out of the box, networked capable also 360 capable. Youre correct tho panoptics seems to be the bread winner among all others. From what I have seen and heard you can cast out see your lure and see fish following in real time with panoptics and you dont have to be moving. Ive heard walleye guys who mount the 360 on the transom can see crankbaits when trolling.

April 1, 2016 at 4:07 pm #434269

smbass77
Participant

Id go with the Garmin. While I havent used the Panoptix yet, I hear it is amazing. But between the three brands for quality sonar picture and quality/product durability, I will be sticking with Garmin from here on out. Plus I can talk to a customer service rep almost immediately each and every time I call.

April 1, 2016 at 6:24 pm #434270

Jstew
Participant

After looking over the Garmin – youre right, the sonar quality is the best in the category. I like the fact that their chirp units are amazingly clear. I want to know how theyre getting around the patent infringement issue on the SI / DI. They apparently have a work around in their transducer design vs. HB & Lowrance.Whats come out now is many folks are using Airmar transducers on their HB and Lowrance units. Seems both HB and Lowrance produce transducers that are on the bottom end of the effectiveness scale. Airmar transducers are significantly more efficient and its a night and day difference from OE. I think the secret behind Garmins 2D technology is that they dont skimp on the transducer and package a quality ducer with the unit. The screen shots Ive seen of HB and Lowrance units using Airmar transducers look as clear and crisp as the Garmin shots. If Garmin deals with its SI / DI problems and makes friends with Navionics – Ill move to them and not look back. Their technology is more purpose designed and they dont seem to divert system resources to all the product extensions like HB and Lowrance.

April 1, 2016 at 7:44 pm #434271

kent7351
Participant

I am a big fan of lowrance gen 3. It is feature rich and provides all the capabilities I want as a bass angler. Touch screen is great, side/down/2d and now 3d are all options depending on the transducers. I havent tried spotlight scan, but really dont see a need for it. I like that with ethernet you can share sonar if you want, share map chips, waypoints and other information. The clarity of traditional sonar and chirp seem very adequate to me. On average if Im fishing “deep” structure, its in 17ft or less. I can easily see an 1/8 ounce dropshot weight 10″ below my 4″ bait with a standard transducer, cant imagine why Id need anything more clear than that. In my experience, the gen3 lowrances are less user friendly, but more customize-able than humminbird.

April 2, 2016 at 1:54 am #434272

clownshoes
Participant

I dont want anywhere near an airmar transducer if its what a buddy of mine just got. The sucker will melt a plastic housing pronto if not fully submerged in h20 or placed on standby when pulled out of water. When I pull troller up Im lookin to roll and not dip with a standby button. That said on my gen3 LOWRANCE chirp I watch fish swim up to transducer all day long reminding me how much I suck- Awesome product-C.O.D. Jr. III

April 2, 2016 at 9:36 pm #434273

Sportsman
Participant

Lowrance 3D looks nice.

April 3, 2016 at 8:04 am #434274

Basscatdreams
Participant

Has anyone checked our ray marine? I heard they are pretty detailed but I have only seen them on TV and the web
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