Lowrance Gen 3 Touch update

[Okie Bob]

Below is copied from another thread but, figured it should be a new thread so here it is.

My buddy got his Gen 3 7" Touch this week so I wanted to give first impressions for those contemplating a new unit.
First, Bobby didn't want SI on the bow but did for the stern. So he got the DTI (Elite 7) transducer and mounted it on his trolling motor.
I had a spare LSS2 and gave it to him for the transom. (both can be installed on the Gen 3)
The main difference in Gen 2 vs 3 is the addition of some hard keys to supplement the soft (touch) keys. This is very helpful. Zoom hard keys allow you to
see zoom values on the GPS screen where before you couldn't tell what zoom value as it was covered up by the soft zoom keys.
Other than that I couldn't find many other differences.
Chirp is built into the Gen 3 but, after several discussions with Dave and in turn the factory boys, I'm still not 100% sure about it. As I understand it, true chirp
transmits a pluse of frequencies. To do this you need multiple crystals in the transducer. (each one only produces a single frequency) The Airmax transducer does
this and therefore offeres true chirp. The Gen 3 uses the same old 2D skimmer transducer and I believe can therefore not give true chirp. The Lowrance factory guy
says it's all built into the Gen 3 unit itself which leads me to believe it is not true chirp. It may be better than the Gen 2 or prior editions but, I just don't know.
I hope to get out with Bobby next week to play with it and will report back when I do.
My position is still that if I were buying a new unit, it would be the latest availale simply due to obsolence issues pertaining to support. If your unit fails after it is no longer supported by the factory, you are just out of luck. The factory may offer you a price break on a new one or it may not. I just like to delay that event by getting the latest unit
for the longest factory support.
One thing that needs to be addressed. IF you get a new Gen 3 and have a prolem with the touch screen, you need to calibrate it. It's a simple procedure found in the owners manul. BUT, that section, we found, is not accurate in how it is performed. The process is correct, what you see while preforming it is not. Shoot me a message if you need help. This post is too long already.

[Crappie Reaper]

I have the Gen 2 9 touch. Touch calibration may be in order for me as at times I will touch the screen several times, with sound, but no change in the screen. Change finger tips and it will work.

As for updates, I see where Lowrance let a Gen 2 update out in December that sets it up to be able to use the Motor Guide TM with the GPS. Nice.

[Okie Bob]

Reaper, I'd hold off on that. I made the jump to HB back when they introduced the iPilot. The idea sounds great but, the implementation not so great, for me. Long story but, I switched back to Lowrance and a cable steer tm. But, I only fish for crappie so precision and quick response are the most important things for me.
I have not updated yet. IF the only thing it gives is the ability to connect to MG tm's, I don't need it.
As for screen calibration, I have had no problem and wasn't even aware you could do it!

[Crappie Reaper]

My electric steer Minn Kota has me spoiled when controlling the TM. Cable steering stresses leg muscles out and gives me massive cramps, not to mention they suck. The heel toe operation is not as accurate for me as the electric steer. My Minn Kota is an older one and really noisy. The noise has never had an ill effect when fishing for Crappie, even during the spawn.

[Okie Bob]

My electric steer Minn Kota has me spoiled when controlling the TM. Cable steering stresses leg muscles out and gives me massive cramps, not to mention they suck. The heel toe operation is not as accurate for me as the electric steer. My Minn Kota is an older one and really noisy. The noise has never had an ill effect when fishing for Crappie, even during the spawn.

I'm sorry Reaper, I didn't see this until I posted my response about cable vs electric steer tm's. I totally understand having physical issues that would negate what I said about tm's. If you can't operate a cable unit comfortably then by all means, go electric! Everyone is different hence, Ford vs Chevy.