Topic: Lowrance 3500C global map

Lowrance 3500C global map

I noticed recently that a lot of guys are going to Hummingbird electronics. Also it looks like Hummingbird is Bass Cats choice too now. I had some of the original Hummingbird depth and fish finders and I had a lot of trouble with them and it gave me a bad taste for their products. The flustrating thing was that I would send a unit back to them and when it was returned, (usually quickly) there would be no explanation of what they had done to correct the problem. This would have been ok, but I would still have a problem. Most of the time, it was drop out on reading at speed. Not 60 MPH, but 20 MPH. Anyhow I switched to Lowrance and Eagle products and they worked well. On my 08 Classic I have the Lowrance GPS in the dash and the same model with out the GPS on the bow. I get some background vertical lines when I am in deeper water, which I understand is cross talk between the two units. My front unit will drop out at times and recycleing it does not always cure the problem. I can live with that. I have a 3500C GPS Global Map unit on my Contender and it has been coming on by its self and when we are fishing on the gulf, it goes on and off cycleing from light to dark screen, mostly when we are underway. Sometimes, when we are anchored up, it wont do this. We called Lowrance today and spoke to them The unit is out of warranty, but they required a $200 plus freght up-front to repair or replace. It apears to be a bad on off switch, since that also controls the light. I have already had to buy another antenna unit for it, not cheap. My question is, has the Lowrance quality gone down hill compared to Hummingbird or is it that Hummingbird has better features. I am trying to make up my mind to fix this unit or buy a new one. (Hummingbird) The unit is about 3 1/2 years old. If we did not have a Furuno GPS unit ( 9 ) years old, we would be lost at sea. The Lowrance has a map and that is a plus. Lowrance or Hummingbird?? Skipjack68

This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 11 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

Author

Posts
June 16, 2009 at 2:08 am #454509

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Humminbird in my opinion. I have no affiliations with either and still believe the Humminbird to be more reliable Have used Humminbird this past year and zero issues. I went through 3 Lowrance 102Cs last year due to water intrusion and it was very frustrating trying to fish tournaments without that unit. It also seems that the Humminbird units are more user friendly than the new Lowrance HD units, but thats my opinion. Straight sonar picture goes to Lowrance. GPS accuracy and pictures are a draw in my opinion.

June 16, 2009 at 4:45 am #454510

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Skipjack68, You know we are all about reliability and customer service. In 2008 Model Year we went with HB units as standard equipment. We sell both units and while we were well over 95% Lowrance, we are now mostly HumminBird. WE have had limited HB issues, though VERY limited. As for mapping and reliability, the GPS on Lowrance we like, though the units are easier to function on HumminBird units. Both have their features and if the choice is function then you need to decide that.
Author

Posts

Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login Register