I believe the 8000 series of units along with the new Echomap Ultra units do not need the black box for using the UHD transducers or the smaller livescope transducer, I think it is the lvs12. The LVS32 Livescope transducer still needs a black box no matter which unit you use. Reviews on the lvs12 have not been good but it is 1/3 the cost, $500 compared to $1,500. I'd wait and save my money to get the LVS32.