Lowrance vs Garmin

Simon B · 08 February 2006, 10:28

Has anyone out there used both Lowrance and Garmin plotters and sounders? I'm trying to wiegh up the relative merits of the newer stuff with a view to buying either a combo unit or separates.

I know Garmins software and features but have no experience of Lowrance though have heard good reports on thier display resolution and robustness.

Andy Moore · 08 February 2006, 10:37

I am getting a Lowrance on my new RIB. I pick it up on Friday so will be able to give more info on it then. Its build-quality looks OK though and its a nice flush-mount.

ashbypower · 08 February 2006, 10:55

FWIW Carl Lowrance developed the first transistorised SONAR for leisure use!!
Check out their site loads of useful info, including downloadable simulators. Using this convinced us to purchase their 3500C Plotter and GPS/SONAR 52i. Which we find excellent, the 3500C screen is brilliant quality and easy to read in sunlight. Product support is also tops, from their site software update downloads are really useful, we have downloaded two updates which upload to the unit via the SD card slot!!

Brian

danny · 08 February 2006, 11:05

I am using the 10 inch screen plotter\finder and find it 100% easy and fast to use.
No complaints so far. Absolutely good stuff\fair price.

Simon B · 08 February 2006, 12:04

Had looked at the 3500C plotter, this seems to appear in plotter/sounder guise as the 337CDF, anyone got a X105/7CDF sounder in use?

MarkM · 08 February 2006, 12:32

I had a Garmin 176c for a couple of years but the screen was not that good in the sunlight and far to small. The menu was good, easy to handle.
Now I have the Lowrance GlobalMap 7000c with a 10" screen. What a difference! There is only one thing. The layout of the menu is illogical. I'm waiting for an update but the last one was august 2004, so that's it I think. But
I use Apple computers so I'm spoiled.
Buy the biggest screen you can afford in a bumpy RIB.

Andy Moore · 08 February 2006, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkM

I use Apple computers so I'm spoiled.

Me too.

Roy Smith · 08 February 2006, 16:40

we had the garmin 188c cant say a thing bad about it

daviesd · 08 February 2006, 21:17

We have had a Garmin GPS235 for about 6 years and more recently a Lowrance LCX19 - both a plotter sounder combos and are mounted next to each other.

Totally agree that you should get the biggest screen you can afford.

All I can say is that we find the Garmin the best to use as a plotter for readibility. The Lowrance has more detailed cartography but the Garmin is easier to use and much better in bright sunlight.

The Lowrance is a much better sounder than the Garmin. It shows botom detail much more clearly ( although I'm sure the Lowrance having a colour screen helps ). Managed to get them working alongside one another quite happily running one at 50khz and the other at 200.

Just my 2c

David

codprawn · 08 February 2006, 21:18

The new Raymarine looks pretty good!!!

signum · 08 February 2006, 21:36

i used for years the navionics plotters which are very very good...i had the garmin 172 for my car and did also a very good job...both after rough use had no problems and the deviation is very small.....about 3-5mts.....
also very easy usage and easy to learn display and buttons.
i now have the standard horizon which i must say is a little difficult to learn for use but has very good analysis very good zoom in and many many information,big memory and analysis of tides etc.....

MikeCC · 08 February 2006, 22:33

If you're looking at a full installation speed, depth etc with your new display, decide whether you need NMEA 2000 or not. Lowrance have full NMEA 2000 bus system but Garmin seem to be ploughing their own furrow and haven't adopted yet. New Garmin 3000 series has multiple serial ports for NMEA 0183 interfacing.

Also if you're doing cross-channel trips decide if you want AIS on your display. Not all kit reads AIS NMEA sentences yet although Garmin tell me that it's coming end of Q1. Not sure re Lowrance on that.

Simon B · 09 February 2006, 09:31

Had a look at Standard Horizon, you need to read the manual it isnt as intuitive as the Garmin software to navigate around in. Garmin seem to be marketing this CANet system now on their new items.

This may be a dumb question but does a DSC alert show on all plotters if it is picked up by your radio and the plotter is covering that area at the time.

SOLENTER · 09 February 2006, 10:15

As a matter of interest out off the 4 main suppliers Lowrance-Raymarine-
Navman & garman who dos the best deals on softwear charts ect

And who in your opinion are the clearest to see on a bright day for a chap with
failing eyesight
My present GPS is a ageing philips in a orange waterproof case prob ex RLNI
which needs to be in the dark to read it so i think its time to invest a littel
money on a new one

Very Littel

And what in gods name is NMEA 2000 ?

signum · 09 February 2006, 12:46

personally having for 3 years the navionics 6inc screen colour (model 16X) with the bright sun we have in our waters i could see very good.
The standard horizon i just got with the new boat model 175 is clear in sunshine but has difficult menu and the joystick is pain in the ass...especially when having 5-6B in sea....
from previous plotters my idea is that the best is the black/white screen in all conditions.no problem at all..
As far as NMEA if i'm not mistaking is a port that you can connect you plotter/gps with yr vhf (distrees)...