Topic: Onix or HDS Gen 2 12 touch

[Nirozv21]

Iam knew to this site. I know there is stuff on here about humminbird vs lowerance. I am looking at replacing my 1198 with either a onix unit or a gen 2 hds 12 touch. I like my birds and they work great minus I think the lowerance has better 2d sonar and humminbird has better SI and DI. Iam currently running a 859 up front and have a 1159 on the dash and looking to replace the 1198 with either the onix unit or the hds 12 touch. I also run lake master chips and I link on my 1159 that is setup for mapping only. Any advice between these two models would be greatly appreciated.

[rnvinc]

Onix can use the same mapping cards as your other HB units ...
Onix will network with iLink ...
Onix has AutoChart Live ...
Onix uses 1 xducer ... (HDS requires 2 for SS) ...
Onix/core units Nav data is easier handling between units ...
Onix can use 360 ...

Rickie

[Nirozv21]

Does anyone have any info on the 2d sonar on the Onix and how does it compare to the lowerance 2d sonar?

[battleborn]

Considering the same thing.  I have a 999 on my skiff with ilink.  Just got a offshore boat and am wondering about changing to the lowrance for the bigger boat.  I have a shamrock so it has a keel so I would have to use 2 ducers regardless for sidescan.  I haven't seen or should say the marketing is not as good as the HDS 12.  Being an ocean rig I am planning on adding radar.  Lowrance talks about their board band radar it apparently has less emissions than the HB radar and supposed to have better detail?  I think the L brand is more  $$$.  I don't think the 999 uses chirp and do you have to get the 2 ducers and 2 black boxes.  Let me know if you find any good deals on these systems.  I am impressed with HB I hear good things from L in saltwater, but $$$ and integration will have a influence in my decisions. Keep up the research.   

[battleborn]

The other thing that HB does that pisses me off is that you have to have a PC to use their software.  Not even PC emulated software VMware or Bootcamp running windows will allow their software to work.  In this day I would think that they would support MAC users.   

[Diel11]

Iam knew to this site. I know there is stuff on here about humminbird vs lowerance. I am looking at replacing my 1198 with either a onix unit or a gen 2 hds 12 touch. I like my birds and they work great minus I think the lowerance has better 2d sonar and humminbird has better SI and DI. Iam currently running a 859 up front and have a 1159 on the dash and looking to replace the 1198 with either the onix unit or the hds 12 touch. I also run lake master chips and I link on my 1159 that is setup for mapping only. Any advice between these two models would be greatly appreciated.

I run 2 Onix and 2 Simrads Evo2 on my boat at the moment.  Before the Evo2 units I ran HDS Touch Gen 2.  I would say the more accurate comparison will be between the Onix and either the Gen3 Lowrance, or the Simrad Evo2.  The Gen2 Lowrance is a single touch screen, so no "gestures" or pinch to zoom, etc.  The new Gen3 Lowrance uses the same screen and processor as the Simrad Evo2, which have multi touch screens.  For a while the Onix was behind in speed and other things, now with the 2.0 update, they are very close to each other (Onix vs Evo2).  And like it was said, if you're looking at adding 360, I pilot Link, etc., then the Onix will be a better choice.  Now if you are interested in CHIRP, then the Gen3 or Evo2 might work better as they have a single channel CHIRP sounder built in.  Clear as mud, right??

[Diel11]

Considering the same thing.  I have a 999 on my skiff with ilink.  Just got a offshore boat and am wondering about changing to the lowrance for the bigger boat.  I have a shamrock so it has a keel so I would have to use 2 ducers regardless for sidescan.  I haven't seen or should say the marketing is not as good as the HDS 12.  Being an ocean rig I am planning on adding radar.  Lowrance talks about their board band radar it apparently has less emissions than the HB radar and supposed to have better detail?  I think the L brand is more  $$$.  I don't think the 999 uses chirp and do you have to get the 2 ducers and 2 black boxes.  Let me know if you find any good deals on these systems.  I am impressed with HB I hear good things from L in saltwater, but $$$ and integration will have a influence in my decisions. Keep up the research.   

I run the Lowrance 4G radar on my bay boat, together with the Simrad Evo2 units it works very well.  Very easy to install and learn how to use.  With the Simrad units you can run 2 ranges at once also.  The emissions are also supposed to be "safer".  The times we have gone offshore it has worked perfectly and I have no complaints. 

I don't have room to try the Humminbird radar, but since the Evo2 has CHIRP built in, if you are fishing in deeper water that might be the thing to do.  You can get CHIRP with Humminbird but you will have to add the SM3000 module and a CHIRP transducer of course.  Please let me know if you want any pics or any other information. 

[battleborn]

Please post the pics.  I have heard a lot of people say look at the simrads.  Are they that good?  I would have still have to get the transducers for the unit?  Thanks in advance.  looks like msrp 3k