Anglers and fishing enthusiasts rely on fish finders to enhance their fishing experience by locating fish and underwater structures. Two popular choices in the market are the Hummingbird HELIX 5 Fish Finder and the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5. These two fish finders come from reputable brands and offer a range of features to help you catch more fish. In this article, we will compare the Hummingbird HELIX 5 and the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 across various aspects such as display, sonar technology, navigation, and other essential features. By the end of this comparison, you’ll have a clearer picture of which fish finder suits your fishing needs best.
Quick Summary
The Hummingbird HELIX 5 shines in terms of display quality, offering a clear and vibrant color display. It also supports various mapping options, and its user-friendly interface is easy to navigate.
On the other hand, the Lowrance Hook Reveal excels in sonar technology, thanks to its CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging, providing more detailed underwater information. It also offers broader preloaded mapping options and enhanced connectivity through Wi-Fi.
Hummingbird Helix vs Lowrance Hook Reveal
1. Display Quality and Size
The display is a crucial component of a fish finder, as it directly affects your ability to read and interpret the information it provides. The Hummingbird HELIX 5 comes equipped with a 5-inch color TFT display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. This screen size offers decent visibility in most lighting conditions, and the color display enhances the clarity of underwater imagery.
On the other hand, the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 boasts a slightly larger 5-inch SolarMAX display with a similar resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. Both displays are crisp and clear, making it easy to discern fish arches, structures, and other underwater details.
In terms of display quality and size, it’s a tie between the Hummingbird HELIX 5 and the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5, as both provide excellent visibility and clarity.
2. Sonar Technology
Both the Hummingbird HELIX 5 and the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 employ advanced sonar technologies to help you locate fish and underwater structures. However, there are some differences in their sonar capabilities.
The Hummingbird HELIX 5 features DualBeam PLUS sonar, which includes both a narrow and wide beam for versatile coverage. It offers a maximum depth capability of up to 1,500 feet in freshwater, providing detailed information on fish and structures beneath the surface.
In contrast, the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 utilizes CHIRP (Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse) sonar technology. CHIRP sonar sends a range of frequencies into the water, resulting in more detailed and accurate fish and structure identification. The Hook Reveal 5 also has DownScan Imaging, which provides high-resolution images of the underwater terrain.
While both fish finders offer effective sonar capabilities, the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 gains an advantage with its CHIRP sonar technology and DownScan Imaging, which provide more detailed and accurate information about what’s happening below the surface.
3. Mapping and Navigation
When it comes to mapping and navigation, both the Hummingbird HELIX 5 and the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 have their strengths.
The Hummingbird HELIX 5 features built-in GPS and comes with the UniMap basemap, which includes detailed coverage of various U.S. water bodies. Additionally, it is compatible with various mapping options, including LakeMaster and Navionics charts, allowing you to expand your mapping capabilities. The unit also supports AutoChart Live, which lets you create custom maps of your favorite fishing spots.
On the other hand, the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 includes a GPS plotter and comes with detailed maps of more than 4,000 U.S. lakes, rivers, and coastal contours. It also supports various chart options, including C-MAP, Navionics, and Insight Genesis. Like the Hummingbird, it offers the capability to create custom maps through Genesis Live.
In terms of mapping and navigation, both fish finders provide extensive options, but the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 offers a broader range of preloaded maps.
4. Networking and Connectivity
Networking and connectivity features are becoming increasingly important for modern fish finders. The Hummingbird HELIX 5 and Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 offer different options in this regard.
The Hummingbird HELIX 5 offers Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to sync your fish finder with the Hummingbird FishSmart app. This enables you to receive notifications, access software updates, and even control your fish finder from your mobile device. Additionally, it has an Ethernet port for networking multiple Hummingbird units and sharing data.
On the other hand, the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 is equipped with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. This allows for wireless software updates and the use of the FishHunter app, which offers various mapping and tracking features. The unit also has an NMEA 0183 output for connecting to external devices.
While both fish finders offer useful connectivity options, the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 gains an edge with its additional Wi-Fi connectivity, making it more versatile for wireless operations.
5. Price and Value
Price is a significant consideration for many anglers when choosing a fish finder. Both the Hummingbird HELIX 5 and the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 are competitively priced, making them accessible to a wide range of users.
The Hummingbird HELIX 5 typically falls within the mid-range price category for fish finders, offering good value for its features and capabilities.
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 is also reasonably priced, often comparable to the HELIX 5 in terms of cost. Considering its advanced CHIRP sonar technology and additional connectivity options, the Hook Reveal 5 represents a strong value proposition.
Other Fish Finder Options
6. User-Friendliness and Interface
The user-friendliness of a fish finder’s interface can greatly impact your overall fishing experience. Let’s evaluate the ease of use and interface design of both the Hummingbird HELIX 5 and the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5.
The Hummingbird HELIX 5 features a straightforward menu system and user-friendly interface. Its intuitive navigation and button layout make it relatively easy to access various functions and settings. Additionally, the color display enhances the readability of information.
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 also offers an intuitive interface with an easy-to-navigate menu system. Its touchscreen functionality adds a modern touch to the user experience, allowing for smoother interactions. However, it’s worth noting that touchscreen displays can be less responsive when wet, which is common in a fishing environment.
In terms of user-friendliness, both fish finders are designed with anglers in mind, but the touchscreen feature of the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 may appeal to those who prefer a more modern interface.
7. Additional Features
Besides the core functionalities, both fish finders come with additional features that may influence your decision.
The Hummingbird HELIX 5 includes features like temperature and depth readings, customizable views, and a split-screen mode for simultaneous data display. It also offers a built-in microSD card slot for data storage and software updates.
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 offers similar features, including temperature and depth readings, customizable screens, and split-screen views. Additionally, it has an impressive FishReveal feature that makes it easier to distinguish fish from underwater structures on the screen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Hummingbird HELIX 5 Fish Finder and the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 offer impressive fish-finding capabilities and are suitable for a wide range of anglers. Your choice between the two ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
The Hummingbird HELIX 5 shines in terms of display quality, offering a clear and vibrant color display. It also supports various mapping options, and its user-friendly interface is easy to navigate.
On the other hand, the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 excels in sonar technology, thanks to its CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging, providing more detailed underwater information. It also offers broader preloaded mapping options and enhanced connectivity through Wi-Fi.
Ultimately, if you prioritize advanced sonar capabilities and connectivity, the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 may be the better choice for you. However, if you value a clear display and user-friendly interface, the Hummingbird HELIX 5 is a strong contender. Ultimately, both fish finders offer excellent value for their respective price points, making them valuable tools for any angler looking to improve their fishing experience.
