Garmin’s ECHOMAP and Lowrance’s HDS are two of the best-selling chartplotter/fish finder combo series on the market, and both span a wide range of screen sizes and price points. Here’s how the two ranges compare.
| Series | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin ECHOMAP | Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv Fish Finder Chartplotter – 7 Inch, GT54UHD Transducer | £632.99 |
| Garmin ECHOMAP | Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 122sv with GT56UHD-TM Transducer | £2199.99 |
| Garmin ECHOMAP | Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 106sv 10-Inch LiveScope Plus Bundle | £2758.99 |
| Lowrance HDS | Lowrance HDS-9 PRO with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer | £1954.99 |
| Lowrance HDS | Lowrance HDS PRO 9 with Active Imaging HD Transducer | £2299.99 |
| Lowrance HDS | Lowrance HDS Pro 12 with Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 Transducer | £3199.99 |
Garmin ECHOMAP: Built for the Garmin Ecosystem
ECHOMAP units run Garmin’s chartplotter software, with Navionics or Garmin Nautical charts and compatibility with Panoptix LiveScope live sonar — several models, like the Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 106sv 10-Inch LiveScope Plus Bundle, even come bundled with LiveScope Plus included. If you already run other Garmin devices (handhelds, watches, autopilot), the ECHOMAP series integrates seamlessly.
Lowrance HDS: Shared Platform with Simrad and B&G
The HDS series runs on the same underlying platform as Simrad and B&G displays, meaning the interface and networking will feel familiar if you’ve used either brand before. HDS units support Active Imaging and ActiveTarget live sonar, with C-MAP charts as standard.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose ECHOMAP if you want Garmin’s ecosystem, Navionics charts, or plan to add Panoptix LiveScope — several bundles already include it.
- Choose HDS if you want C-MAP charts, plan to network with Simrad/B&G electronics, or prefer Lowrance’s ActiveTarget live sonar system.
- Budget-conscious: the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv Fish Finder Chartplotter – 7 Inch, GT54UHD Transducer at £632.99 is the most affordable entry point into either ecosystem on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ECHOMAP and HDS interchangeable on a network?
No — each brand’s networking (Garmin Marine Network vs Lowrance/Simrad’s shared network) is proprietary, so mixing brands for shared sonar or radar isn’t possible.
Which has better sonar out of the box?
Both include capable imaging sonar in their bundled transducers — the real differentiator is which live sonar ecosystem (LiveScope vs ActiveTarget) you might want to add later.
Do both include UK charts?
Check the specific bundle — some include Navionics+ or C-MAP UK coverage, others require a chart card purchased separately.
Deciding between ECHOMAP and HDS? Our team can help you weigh up ecosystem and features — browse both ranges in our online shop.