There are so many exceptional fishfinders out on the market today that it makes your job as a consumer easier to get the one that best suits your needs. There are a variety of models with different options, designs, and most importantly prices for you to choose from. If you are in the market for a fishfinder for your boat then you will want to consider two of the top brands, Humminbird and Lowrance. Each of these companies have multiple model types, but today I want to compare the Humminbird DI fishfinders with Lowrance DSI fishfinders because of their comparable features.
Next we will compare their sonar, power, and advanced technological features. The sonar comparisons are very difficult on these two models because they are similar. Humminbird has Down Imaging and Lowrance has their DownScan Imaging and they both give you a spectacular view down to 250-feet using DI or DSI technology, but as low as 1,000-feet without those options turned on. Another similarity is the power output, because both units are rated at up to 4,000 watts peak-to-peak. The only difference is that the Humminbird has a little more technology built into their fishfinders, but up and down the comparable models are basically the same features. I believe because of their similarities that the power, sonar, and technology review winner is ….. a tie.
In conclusion, I find these units to very similar in features and options. The deciding factor is the Humminbird DI having a much higher resolution. In this head-to-head competition I am crowning the Humminbird DI models victorious over the Lowrance DSI units.
| Lowrance HDS-5 | Lowrance Elite-5 DSI | Humminbird 597ci HD DI | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Screen Size | 5 in / 127 mm | 5 in / 127 mm | 5 in / 127 mm |
| Screen Resolution | 480 x 480 pixels | 480 x 480 pixels | 640 x 640 pixels |
| Display Type | 16-bit color SolarMAX PLUS TFT | 256-color SolarMAX PLUS TFT | 256 Color TFT |
| Imaging | 2D | Down Imaging | 2D and Down Imaging |
| Transducer Type | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor |
| Transmit Power | Max 250W Broadband, analog equivalent 30,000W and 32W Broadband, analog equivalent 3,750 W | 500W RMS 4000W Peak-To-Peak | 500W RMS 4000W Peak-To-Peak |
| Sonar Frequency | 50/83/200 kHz | 455/800 kHz | 200/455 kHz 2D 455/800 kHz Down Imaging |
| Maximum Depth | 1900 ft | 1000 ft | 600 ft 2D 250 ft Down Imaging |
| GPS Antenna Type | Internal, high-sensitivity GPS+WAAS | Internal high-sensitivity WAAS + EGNOS + MSAS | Internal |
| Waypoint Storage | 5000 | 3000 | 2,500 |
| Routes | 200 | 100 | 50 |
| Plot Trails | Up to 10 trails - up to 12,000 points/trail | 100 retraceable plot trails/up to 10,000 points per trail | 50 w/ 20,000 points each |
| Background Map | Lake Insight | Over 3,000 enhanced lake maps with depth contour and shoreline detail, plus coastal shoreline detail with offshore depth contours to 1,000 ft./305 m and spot depth soundings | Humminbird UniMap |
| MSRP | $719.99 | $629.99 | $649.99 |
 | | | |
| Reviews | Reviews | Reviews |
| Lowrance HDS-7 | Humminbird 798ci SI | Humminbird 858c DI | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Screen Size | 6.4 in / 163 mm | 5 in / 127 mm | 7 in |
| Screen Resolution | 480 x 640 pixels | 640 x 640 pixels | 480 x 800 pixels |
| Display Type | 16-bit color Full VGA SolarMAX PLUS TFT | 256 Color TFT | 16:9 Color TFT |
| Imaging | 2D | 2D and Side Imaging | 2D and Down Imaging |
| Transducer Type | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor |
| Transmit Power | Max 250W Broadband, analog equivalent 30000W and 32W Broadband, analog equivalent 3750W | 500W RMS 4000W Peak-to-Peak | 500W RMS 4000W Peak-To-Peak |
| Sonar Frequency | 50/83/200 kHz | 83/200 kHz 2D 455 kHz Side Imaging | 200/455 kHz 2D 455/800 kHz Down Imaging |
| Maximum Depth | 5000 ft / 1524 m | 1500 ft 2D 100 ft Side Imaging | 600 ft 2D 250 ft Down Imaging |
| GPS Antenna Type | Internal, high-sensitivity GPS+WAAS | Internal | Internal |
| Waypoint Storage | 5000 | 2500 | 3000 |
| Routes | 200 | 50 | 50 |
| Plot Trails | Up to 10 trails - up to 12,000 points/trail | 50 w/20,000 points each | 50 w/20,000 points each |
| Background Map | Expanded U.S. BaseMap or Insight USA | Humminbird ContourXD | Humminbird Contour XD |
| MSRP | $1119.99 | $1109.99 | $1199.99 |
| | | |
| Reviews | Reviews | Reviews |
| Lowrance HDS-8 | Humminbird 898c SI | Humminbird 958c DI | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Screen Size | 8.4 in / 213 mm | 7 in | 8 in |
| Screen Resolution | 600 x 800 pixels | 480 x 800 pixels | 480 x 800 pixels |
| Display Type | 16-bit color Super VGA SolarMAX PLUS TFT | 256 Color TFT | 16:9 Color TFT |
| Imaging | 2D | 2D and Side Imaging | 2D and Down Imaging |
| Transducer Type | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor |
| Transmit Power | Max 250W Broadband, analog equivalent 30,000W and 32W Broadband, analog equivalent 3,750 W equivalent 3750W | 1000W RMS 8000W Peak-to-Peak | 500W RMS 4000W Peak-To-Peak |
| Sonar Frequency | 50/83/200 kHz | 83/200 kHz 2D 455/800 kHz Side Imaging | 200/455 kHz 2D 455/800 kHz Down Imaging |
| Maximum Depth | 5000 ft / 1524 m | 1500 ft 2D 150 ft Side Imaging | 600 ft 2D 250 ft Down Imaging |
| GPS Antenna Type | Internal, high-sensitivity GPS+WAAS | Internal | Internal |
| Waypoint Storage | 5000 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Routes | 200 | 50 | 50 |
| Plot Trails | Up to 10 trails - up to 12,000 points/trail | 50 w/20,000 points each | 50 w/20,000 points each |
| Background Map | Expanded U.S. BaseMap or Insight USA | Humminbird ContourXD | Humminbird Contour XD |
| MSRP | $1819.99 | $1666.99 | $1499.99 |
| | | |
| Reviews | Reviews | Reviews |
| Lowrance HDS-10 | Humminbird 1198ci SI | Humminbird 1158c DI | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Screen Size | 10.4 in / 264 mm | 10.4 in / 264 mm | 10.4 in / 264 mm |
| Screen Resolution | 600 x 800 pixels | 480 x 800 pixels | 480 x 800 pixels |
| Display Type | 16-bit color Super VGA SolarMAX PLUS TFT | 4:3 Color TFT | 4:3 Color TFT |
| Imaging | 2D | 2D and Side Imaging | 2D and Down Imaging |
| Transducer Type | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor |
| Transmit Power | Max 250W Broadband, analog equivalent 30,000W and 32W Broadband, analog equivalent 3,750 W equivalent 3750W | 1000W RMS 8000W Peak-to-Peak | 500W RMS 4000W Peak-To-Peak |
| Sonar Frequency | 50/83/200 kHz | 83/200 kHz 2D 455/800 kHz Side Imaging | 200/455 kHz 2D 455/800 kHz Down Imaging |
| Maximum Depth | 5000 ft / 1524 m | 1500 ft 2D 150 ft Side Imaging | 600 ft 2D 250 ft Down Imaging |
| GPS Antenna Type | Internal, high-sensitivity GPS+WAAS | Internal | Internal |
| Waypoint Storage | 5000 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Routes | 200 | 50 | 50 |
| Plot Trails | Up to 10 trails - up to 12,000 points/trail | 50 w/20,000 points each | 50 w/20,000 points each |
| Background Map | Expanded U.S. BaseMap or Insight USA | Humminbird ContourXD | Humminbird Contour XD |
| MSRP | $2429.99 | $2799.99 | $2199.99 |
| | ||
| Reviews | Reviews | Reviews |