lowrance hook 5 dsi / humminbird helix 5 di

[martinslanding]

Hook or Helix which one and why?

GO......

 

[DirtyMike]

is neither an option?

 

[martinslanding]

is neither an option?

not for what it's intended purpose is ...

 

[guywhofishes]

is neither an option?

No. Mr. landing requires what Lowrance calls "the World's Easiest Fishfinder".

 

[shorthairman]

What would your option be DM?

 

[H82bogey]

Coming from a point of view of someone who owned a Hook previously, they aren't the worst unit I have ever used. Depends what your usage for it will be. For me, with a map chip I was able to locate depth/structure, and it gave a decent 2d view of bottom and depth, but that's about where it stopped. I upgraded to the HDS Gen 3 and it was worth every penny. If you are simply wanting something to show you depth, and give a decent 2nd picture, the Hook will suffice, however if you want more from your finder, I would strongly suggest going another route.

 

[DirtyMike]

What would your option be DM?

i just like a bigger screen.

 

[Kickemup]

I was in same position as you a couple years ago. I went with a helix after seeing lots of reviews of the hook freezing up. Get a 7 if possible 5 is to small to see both sonar and GPS.

 

[AaronJ]

I would look at a few things and make my choice.

- pixel quality
- ability to network
- compatible with the map card you chose for your most fished body of water
- bowmount of choice

I don't think the Hooks can network and I believe the Helix 7s and up can. The link feature with Birds and Minnkota is a fun toy. Pixel quality would be my main deciding factor. I do know that Bird customer service gets MUCH better reviews than Lowrance.

 

[Migrator Man]

I have the helix 5 and works awesome on my kayak and on the ice in the winter. The chirp sonar works great and I think is as good as the HDS units of the past. I would go bigger if I was using on a boat.

 

[martinslanding]

This is for a pontoon...so h82bogey hit the nail on the head...I would like to go bigger but don't have the space...will be looking at Reeds this weekend at sportsman show...I know they had some deals at the boat show...I think the Hook comes with maps pre-loaded right now...definitely would like downscan...not sure if I need side imaging

 

[guywhofishes]

This is for a pontoon...so h82bogey hit the nail on the head...I would like to go bigger but don't have the space...will be looking at Reeds this weekend at sportsman show...I know they had some deals at the boat show...I think the Hook comes with maps pre-loaded right now...definitely would like downscan...not sure if I need side imaging

so you've hit that fat cat in a pontoon stage?

 

[martinslanding]

so you've hit that fat cat in a pontoon stage?

:;:help

 

[guywhofishes]

:;:help

ha ha... I'm horrified. And kinda jealous at the same time

 

[shorthairsrus]

reeds always has that bird rep with them --- you need bring over a reeds employee to buy the lowrance --- I cant say one way or the other ---- i would think both would be comparable --- mapping -- I think the bird would have a base map in it too.

 

[ShootnBlanks]

Like Kickemup said, spend the extra $ and go with Helix 7. I love mine.

 

[raider]

i've had both... went with hooks this time because of price - got 9" for about 750 per...

if you want a hook, check with a tracker/nitro dealer... the boats are packaged with hook 5's on a lot of their boats and the dealers end up with a ton of take offs from upgrades they probably have nothing into, and they have to sell them as used...

 

[eyexer]

Garmin's are on sale on Basspro for about half price right now. Love my Garmin. And super easy to use.

 

[AaronJ]

For under 600 (and better than Cabelas and Bass Pro pricing) you can get a Garmin Echomap Plus 93SV. They have stellar built in mapping and are very easy to use. Any space issues you have can be rectified by a good swing arm mount (I recommend Balzout). Call Justin Russell at Russell Marine Products in El Dorado Kansas. I have bought everything for my Livescope build, a Terrova, and GN3 Bird from him. Best pricing by a long shot (including boat show pricing at Scheels in Bismarck). It is well worth a 5 minute call. Tell him Aaron from ND sent you.

 

[sweeney]

I seen the lowrance elite ti 7 on sale for 450 with total scan transducer gives you the ability to make your own maps and is in line with the HD’s units.