Questions on boat sonar, Lowrance,simrad,ray marine

[muskyhart]

Hi: looking to put new sonar in the boat. I have been looking at the lowrance generation 2 ,the Simrad MSS 7,8, or 12, and just stared to look at the raymarine stuff.

Here is how I see it,

The lowrance has: 2 SD card slots (more room to play with and for the Stru. mapping)

Side and down scan with the purchase of the extra transducer

And second box, the same goes for simrad, (exactly same equipment,

Made by lowrance for both simrad and lowance finders)

Lowrance has structure mapping

I think the lowrance has a plastic screen

 

The Simrad has: the touch screen (which looks way faster to navigate around)

Only one SD. Card slot

Does not have structure Mapping (But does have touch way points Even under water touch way points)

The screen is supposed to be brighter and faster?

And to my understanding the Simrad has more boating features

That is able to be added when you want to

 

So any help in choosing one of these would be great.

One final note, heard someone saying that there will be a new Structure Scan (LSS 1 )Vs. (LSS 2 H D) Coming out for lowrance only!! In the next few month anyone read this.

Also that the structure mapping will shortly be available in the simrad stuff to

thanks!!

[Twocoda]

cant help you out with those units but if its your intention to keep the original unit in service aswell as the new unit....make sure they will not interfere with each other....

[Unique_Angling]

Muskyhart both companies are under the same umbrella. The Gen2 Lowrance units have a new faster processor and have the overlay side scan. The Simrad NSE(8 or 12) is a neat unit that is touch screen and it too has side imaging and structure scan. They seem to have a real good ducer for deeper water applications and as for the new LSS 2 I am sure it will eventually be available but right now there's no real literature or release specs. I am sure it it will be available for both units as the LSS 1 is the same product on the market now that will work on the Lowrance and Simrad chart plotters/fish finders. And it seems like the LSS 2 talk is on the Lowrance related products that's why anglers are thinking it may only be for a Lowrance unit, but I am sure it will work for both when or if it comes out on the market. Hope this helps feel free to shoot me a PM for any other questions...

Edited February 26, 2012 by Unique_Angling

[muskyhart]

Muskyhart both companies are under the same umbrella. The Gen2 Lowrance units have a new faster processor and have the overlay side scan. The Simrad NSE(8 or 12) is a neat unit that is touch screen and it too has side imaging and structure scan. They seem to have a real good ducer for deeper water applications and as for the new LSS 2 I am sure it will eventually be available but right now there's no real literature or release specs. I am sure it it will be available for both units as the LSS 1 is the same product on the market now that will work on the Lowrance and Simrad chart plotters/fish finders. And it seems like the LSS 2 talk is on the Lowrance related products that's why anglers are thinking it may only be for a Lowrance unit, but I am sure it will work for both when or if it comes out on the market. Hope this helps feel free to shoot me a PM for any other questions...

 

 

Thanks for the info. But the Simrad that i was looking at was the new NSS 7, 8,or 12.These units are suppose to have the fastest processors,(as to handle the touche screen application)The NSS units have the built in gps antenna like the lowrance.I guess my real Question is which uint do the guys here feel is the superior and why? Also anyone that has any experience with the Raymarine stuff?

[muskyhart]

Thanks for the info. But the Simrad that i was looking at was the new NSS 7, 8,or 12.These units are suppose to have the fastest processors,(as to handle the touch screen application)The NSS units have the built in gps antenna like the lowrance.I guess my real Question is which uint do the guys here feel is the superior and why? Also anyone that has any experience with the Raymarine stuff?

[scugpg]

Thanks for the info. But the Simrad that i was looking at was the new NSS 7, 8,or 12.These units are suppose to have the fastest processors,(as to handle the touch screen application)The NSS units have the built in gps antenna like the lowrance.I guess my real Question is which uint do the guys here feel is the superior and why? Also anyone that has any experience with the Raymarine stuff?

 

The NSS look to be awesome units but I'd have concerns about the touch screen in wet weather/slimed hands etc. If you have a bigger boat that the unit would be concealed from the elements than it would be great.

 

Unless you can score a really sweet deal on a Gen1, at this point I'd go for the HDS Gen2 and there are rebates on them right now. Buying the current model helps ensure future add-ons will be compatible with it.

[rhare]

I use raymarine and I LOVE it...

 

The major downfall of a ray system is the cost. BUT this year they just came out with the new e7 and let me tell you this thing is amazing and at a great price point.

Unlike most of raymarines other high end units the e7 has a built in sounder so you don't have to buy a costly DSM modal to run your sonar. With the C,E,G series you had to add the DSM to the MFD so it was able to read the transducer. The picture quality is amazing and the graphs are very accurate. The sonar on a raymarine is much better then a Lowrance, I have owned both and like both just feel that the ray is more detailed and accurate.

The e7 also has a built in GPS again eliminating the external modual.

 

where it gets really cool is in the integration...

The e7 has a app. you can use with any iphone or ipad to make them into extra displays If I'm not mistaken you can even change your auto pilot setting right from your iphone!

The unit is touch screen. I'm not a huge fan of touch screen because of fingerprints on the display but it doesnt seem to be a big issue.

 

The e7 is leaps and bounds above anything else out there right now and I think with the lower price point then on most raymarine products your going to start seeing these units on a lot more rigs..

[Gman]

Both are solid units, the Simrads are faster, brighter and do have a touch screen. I've played with them a bit and more recently yesterday @ the London show in Angling Outfitters booth.

 

One thing to consider regarding the Simrads since it is a touch screen like your iPhone or Blackberry Torch is they don't work all that well when your fingers are wet/clammy. So if you don't have a hardtop boat and it's raining out and the screen is getting wet I would expect less than optimal or even frustrating performance. Also try to imagine moving the screen around while your running in a chop and your finger is bouncing on/off the screen.

 

Just something to consider, hope this helps.

 

Cheers G.

[Billy Bob]

Here's a VERY helpful site on Lowrance Electronics.....

http://www.bbcboards.net/zeroforum?id=13