Garmin 441S vs. Lowrance 5HDS

270win

270win

Well-Known Member
PLATINUM Sponsor
Jul 12, 2009
1,019
Atlanta, GA
Boat Info
1991 Sea Ray 350 SunDancer
Engines
7.4 V Drives
I'm planning to update my GPS/Fish Finder and I'm considering these two units. I'll be using the FF for fresh water Striper fishing and a week or two per year of salt water fishing. The GPS is basically pointless for me on the lake, but obviously it's very important for our salt water trips. Anyone know some pros and cons between the two?

Thanks!
 
The 441s has great built-in charts and you can get the inland lake chart for about $100. It also has an impressive array of features and options. Do know that XM weather requires a $700 add on and auto guidance comes on the $300+ Vision chips. I love mine, very intuitive. MM
 
Thanks for the reply! I agree, the auto guidance is a pretty neat feature. I know more about the Garmin than I do the Lowrance from flying airplanes with Garmin 530 and G1000 systems. We also used a Garmin 496 in our last boat but I have to say it was marginal in the boat and outstanding to fly with. I was told by a salesman at West Marine that the Lowrance is better for fishing but the Garmin was better for navigation.

Anyone else?
 
I have the 441s with the G2 inland lake card. It has auto guidance and was only $99.
 
sdarc said:
I have the 441s with the G2 inland lake card. It has auto guidance and was only $99.
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You mean the card or the whole setup? Either way that's a good deal.


Anyone use either one for fishing? For my home lake I know where I am day or night, been on the same lake for 34 years now so for navigation on the lake I'm good. I'm wondering about the fish finder portion too.
 
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I have a Garmin in my car and a Lowrance on my boat. Both work well for their intended use. Look at some of the extended features of the Lowrance HDS and you will see the difference.
 
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MonacoMike said:
Auto guidance is only on the Vision cards, are you sure? I too have the Inland lakes G2 card and it does not have it. MM
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sdarc said:
This one here: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=108244

I guess if the map is more localized you get AG.
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You have a vision card: "Garmin Lakes Vision - Southeast" The lakes Vision chips are not as costly as the coastal chips, they cost $300 or so. They never seem to have the lakes I want with the Vision freatures. MM
 
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I just went to West Marine this morning to play with the Lowrance 5HDS. I have to say that it seems a bit more complex, but it looks to be far more capable than the Garmin. But I think the Garmin is more user friendly. I'm sure there is a learning curve with it. They have a first generation 5HDS for $599 with transducer. I need to shop both of them.
 
Well lucky for me my lake has Auto guidance. That's why I bought it. That way if I "stroke out" the admiral can get herself back to the dock and sell the boat.LOL.
 
I appreciate everyone's input, I think I'm going to go with the Lowrance HDS5.
 
270win said:
I appreciate everyone's input, I think I'm going to go with the Lowrance HDS5.
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I would recommend you compare it to the HDS7 pricewise. The screen of the 5 is fine for one function at a time but if you want to run split screen you may have some issues. I did not find the price to me much more between the two when I got mine so I went with the 7. There is a large jump in price when you get to the HDS8 and up though.
 
270win said:
I appreciate everyone's input, I think I'm going to go with the Lowrance HDS5.
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Now to the question you did not ask; what should I get? I like my Garmin very well, I am even curious what the HDS5 will do that the 441s will not. That said I would not repurchase my 441s as I wish I had those dollars to put toward a larger touchscreen model 740s

MM
 
MonacoMike said:
Now to the question you did not ask; what should I get? I like my Garmin very well, I am even curious what the HDS5 will do that the 441s will not. That said I would not repurchase my 441s as I wish I had those dollars to put toward a larger touchscreen model 740s

MM
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Great point, I suppose I never did ask the right question. But I need to look seriously into the HDS 7. I'm looking at BOE mainly because their prices are good and they're a sponsor to the site.
 
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