Lowrance or Garmin?

[Damaschack]

Hi people<br /><br />I have been deciding which one to get. But in general which one is better, Garmin or Lowrance?<br /><br />I just talke to getfeetwet.com they said they will also give thier 2nd year warranty to thier refurb units....

 

[JB]

Re: Lowrance or Garmin?

To Electronics

 

[JB]

Re: Lowrance or Garmin?

In general, both are better. Lowrance is a better SONAR, Garmin is better GPS.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...******=898220671&view_id=0&search_type=recent <br /><br />Since you originally posted this in salt water fishing you may be an offshore fisherman. In that case Furuno is best offshore.

 

[MajBach]

Re: Lowrance or Garmin?

YOu might want to retract the 'Garmin is better in GPS' statement. I've been out shopping to replace my GM100 and I expected to buy a Garmin. I've been looking and I haven't found a REASONABLY priced Garmin that does a heck of a lot better than the Lowrance H20 - especially when you consider unit/funtionality price and software price. I also REALLY like the unlimited memory with the Lowrance via memory cards - dont have to go near a PC in order to have ALL the data you need wherever you go. It's also got a nice BIG display. <br />If money was no option, yeah a $700 Garmin would be in my breast-pocket. But, for $250 or less, that new Lowrance is back to reclaim some of the market it lost.

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Lowrance or Garmin?

I also REALLY like the unlimited memory with the Lowrance via memory cards - dont have to go near a PC in order to have ALL the data you need wherever you go.<br /><br />Depends on the Garmin. I have a 182C that can be stuffed with as many memory cards as you want to purchase.<br /><br />If you want a REALISTIC comparison, ask the high volume dealers what the return rate is for each in their area; anything else is merely "mine's great and yours sucks".

 

[Boatist]

Re: Lowrance or Garmin?

I think both function very well. If you compare the small outdoor units like Garmin GPSMAP76C to Lowrance Ifinder H2O C the Lowrance wins. The difference screen brightness makes the Lowrance a big winter. I have a GPSMAP76 and it is hard to see the screen in the dark or in the bright sunlight. The Lowrance is easy to see in any light and from any angle. It also has better base map and lots more navigation aids, and points of interest. It comes with a power cord for the lighter. Garmin charges another 30 bucks for the $1.00 iteam.<br /><br />Lowrance also has great screen in the fixed mount units. They can be seen in full sun no problem. However Garmin has just came out with some new units they say are sunlight readable but I have not yet been able to see and unit in the sun or even near a bright window.<br /><br />Some of the Garmin units have built in detail maps like lowrance has had for 2 years now. I looked at two of the units and was very disappointed. The screen does appear brighter in the store and they do have detailed maps. The thing I did not like was one unit had detailed coastal maps and the inland maps very poor. The other unit had detailed inland maps and the coastal maps very poor. Since I fish both inland and Ocean neither is a good choice for me. I need a unit that will support Northern California. Do not remember for sure but I think the model were 498 and 492.<br /><br />For you if you only fish inland then the inland model may be a great choice for you. Also if you only fish ocean then the other unit may be great for you.

 

[tommays]

Re: Lowrance or Garmin?

I can say the Lowrance 3500C screen is nice outside<br /><br />I think they all work well and for me the final factor was the cost of the chart chips i needed to buy which made Lowrance the winner in my case<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Damaschack]

Re: Lowrance or Garmin?

I will take that all into consideration. But how about refurb units? i have seen on getfeetwet.com that they also give out their 2nd year warranty for free even for thier refurb units.. any experiences with that company?

 

[scotty c]

Re: Lowrance or Garmin?

i think you will get many opinions on which<br />brand is better.<br />best to narrow your search down to the unit<br />that will best suit your individual needs<br />and is in your price range.<br /><br />edit: Shame on you! Where do you think you are?