Thread: Hds8

I use different ones at different times. I do like the brown one pretty well though.I will also say this. I like using the sonar networked more than I do separately. All that means is, that I see from both units the sonar from the rear transducer on the boat. It seems to do better than the one that is spinning as the trolling motor spins. I change up some though and take off the network feature from time to time and use the front one. One thing that alot of folks dont realize they need to do is, keep the two separate sonar units on different frequecies if using both.The two signals will both bounce off each other if same signal and give you undesirable results.Thats one big reason I network them to make sure that dont happen.GCF

how are the insight maps,from what i hear they are great

Originally Posted by GoneCrappieFishing

Its not as confusing as you may think.

If you want side imaging/down imaging all you do is buy either an hds5, hds7, hds8 or an hds10 and then the Lss-1 box separately which will have the side/down imaging transducer in it. The hds units all come with a sonar transducer as well. So you buy an lss-1 with whatever hds unit you buy and you will have all you need. Now, if you want to link two separate hds units together which is what I have done, that will allow you to do many things. One advantage to that is you can have one sonar transducer on your trolling motor up front, one sonar in the back for the backseat guy to see as you fish or for you to see if you are driving. The lss-1 transducer is best mounted on the rear of the boat and its linked from the lss-1 to both hds units for side/bottom scanning at either unit.If you are planning two hds units however there is one more thing you will need to buy and that is an ethernet cable for Lowrance.Its like 35 dollars but well worth the investment if you are using two hds units. I can set a waypoint on one unit, and it automatically puts it on both hds units. I have the hds8 up front for me to see while fishing and an hds7 at the console. I really like my Lowrance units and I find new spots to fish all the time that I never knew was good spots. I spent alot of time looking at both before I went Lowrance and I have been well pleased with my units. GCF

Are you sure about the HDS5? I thought I read that it was the only one not capable. But I could be wrong again.

i believe he is correct on the HDS5

Found this on Lowrance web site. I was partially right.
Lowrance LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging options compatible for networking, viewing and independent control with all HDS multifunction displays, including HDS-5m, -7m, -8m and 10m dedicated marine chartplotters.

So I guess there has to be a "M" after the model.

The M after the model, such as Hds7M just means its a multifunction unit, and it does not have fish finding capability, or sonar if you will. You can link that though to another hds unit that does have fish finding capability and see it on that unit.

the maps are great, pretty fine detail, I have a hd 5 on the back of the boat, never thought to hook up structure scan to it, but it has the outlet on the back, seems like it will work though. go with the 7 or 8 you wont believe the stuff you can see. HB is good also

Good Morning Beagle. Don't forget to buy your hds10 so you can give me the 7.

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

Are you sure about the HDS5? I thought I read that it was the only one not capable.

The LSS can be hooked up to ANY HDS unit. You can have up to 3 HDS units on one LSS box.

yall are making my head spin. i was set on going with the HB, but after this i'm leaning LOWRANCE. what's a fellow to do?