Gator
New Member
Posts: 1,534
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Post by Gator on Oct 15, 2015 7:43:23 GMT -5
I bought the Garmin 93sv, installed it, tried it, uninstalled it and gave it to my buddy down at Boone(he loves me). That being said, I think I am going to get another Lowrance. My current sonar is a HDS7 Gen2 without LSS. I really need to get the SS and not sure what to get. My preference is the HDS9 touch gen2 and they are fairly inexpensive right now compared to the new gen3's. Couple of questions for you tech guys:
1.) Can I use my existing transducer for the new unit and link the two units together??
2.) Is the upgrade to the 3 worth the money?
3.) LSS1 or LSS2 what's the difference.
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Post by mwardncsu on Oct 15, 2015 9:11:08 GMT -5
1) yes - you can network multiple HDS units over Ethernet, and get view the sonar from the other units. It is fairly flexible in how you set it up. If you select "network sonar", then ALL units that have this enabled will view the sonar from the selected unit - that is if you have a unit on the bow with a connected xducer, and a unit on the console with a transom xducer, and you network them over Enet and turn on "network sonar" - you select which unit you want to view and that is the sonar displayed on both units. However, if you want to have each unit view it's own xducer, then you turn off the network sonar option - useful when jigging with someone on the bow and someone on the transom. The only think you cannot do is have the bow unit view the console/transom xducer data while the console unit views the bow's xducer data
2) Tough call. The HDS3 has touchscreen AND buttons - which I think would be valuable in the winter - or when operating the until while running down the lake in rough conditions. It also has integrated WiFi (likley not a huge use, but may be some emerging applications such as chart updates that could make this more interesting), and integrated StructureScan - so you don't need the external box. If you ave the HDS7 Gen 2 (non-touch), then you need the external box with that unless you add a HDS Touch or HDS Gen3. HDS Gen3 is also capable of supporting the pending StructureScan 3D which comes out Dec/Jan.....
3) Well, for one you can't buy a LSS1 at this point new - though you can likely find some used or on eBay. The LSS2 is supposed to have better range - but some feel it has degraded visual performance for downscan (I think - may be on sidescan). Lowrance came out with the LSS2 immediately after the resolution of a lawsuit with Johnson Outdoors (Humminbird) and I expect something changed to get around the patent infringement claims. If you can find an LSS1 box and xducer on the cheap - get it. If not, get the LSS2 and don't worry about it - or...... go High Roller and get the HDS3 and hold on for the StructureScan 3D - it looks like the bomb if it delivers like some of the field trials I've seen.
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Post by Happy Camper on Oct 15, 2015 9:34:55 GMT -5
HEY Gator,i had started a thread about the garmin 93 at one time,but I ended up buying the hds7 gen 2 touch ss bundle and using it for ss and maping only,keeping my old monochrome (black and white)x 17 lowrance for sonar.Lowrance has never let me down.I cant help with your questions,but I saw a hds 9 at a sportsmans warehouse opening near where I live,and by the simulator mode the 9 was so much easier to see/read.I had only seen a 12 for a short boat ride once and just could not spend that amount of money at this time.really wish I had spent the extra on the 9 though.
that said,I ordered my unit from BOE marine and it was $130 cheaper than bass pro or cabelas and in my hands in 4 days standard free shipping also got a $200 rebate.
I have not fished sml all summer but comeing up for a few days next week and hopeing the hds 7 will impress me more than it has around home,mostly hybrids here and few big enough to throw a shadow.good luck!
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Post by flyrod on Oct 15, 2015 10:05:04 GMT -5
I got the HDS9 Gen 3 about two months ago and I am very happy with it. Mward is spot on about the value of touch screen and buttons, very nice feature. The LSS2 is working fine for me but I upgraded from an old Raymarine unit so it is like going from an old black & white TV to a color HD flat screen. An incredible difference. I still need to learn to interpret the side scan a little better but it is very nice to have.
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