Opinions Needed

[leo24551]

Before I start, please understand I'm working with a tight budget;

Now, I am wanting to install a second lcr on the front of my boat, I am having a hard time determining if I want to buy a new 5" color or go with a used 7 inch or larger (remember I'm old and can't half see).

Also, for you guys running two units, do you pause the console unit when you head to the bow (due to interference)?

[mwardncsu]

Leo - I have a HDS 5X that I use on the bow sometimes - mainly when catching bait that is a little deep or if several of us are on jigging in winter. The 5" screen is OK for bait, but gets tougher for jigging - at least for my eyes which are a little younger than yours but not sure they are any better. Unlike the unit on the console, the one on the bow is several feet further away from your eyes since it is down at your feet vs waist/chest high). If you can find a good 7" then I'd think that way - likely to be some good deals on used HDS Gen1 7" units as the Gen2's are on sale and Touch units roll out.

If two of us are jigging, I'll run one on 83 and the other on 200 to avoid interference. With 83 you have a wider cone so you can actually keep track of your jig easier if it is not directly under you.



Mike

[striperseeker]

Hi Leo!!

I have a Humminbird in the front and a Lowrance HDS 7 for my main fish-finder. They do not interfere with each other. The Humminbird is an older unit and I mainly use it when trying to net shad.

I am with you. At my age too the bigger the better. But if I would have to choose between a seven inch black and white and a 5 inch color, I think I would go for the color one. For me seeing things in color makes understanding what the unit is trying to tell me easier to interpret ate.

[leo24551]

Ok guys, it looks like my thinking and yours pretty much matches up. Let me throw in one more question; I haven't researched this but if you network two Lowrance units can one be a "view only" and see what is displayed on the other? To clarify, I'd like to be running the front unit with my trolling motor transducer (US2) and have it so the person on the back of the boat sees what I see on the rear unit.

[mwardncsu]

I'm not sure about the LCX units, but with the HDS's you can connect the units over Ethernet and turn on "Network Sonar" - this will let then select the xducer from either unit from either unit - the thing is only one xducer is enabled at a time - that is if on the bow you select "this unit" then your console unit would start displaying the bow unit's xducer data (or vice-versa) - Make sense?

OR - you can turn OFF the network sonar and have each unit run indendently. What you cannot do is have the bow unit display the console unit's xducer while at the same time having the console unit displaying the bow unit's xducer - though not sure why you'd want to do that. If you do this, make sure they are each running on different frequencies.

I don't know if you can toss an LCX into this mix - I know some of those have Ethernet but don't know that they can share sonar with others or with an HDS or not.

[leo24551]

Mike, thanks for the help, at this point I'm thinking I might stick a LCX-27 or 28 on the front and run them at different frequencies. Sad thing is, I had a really nice LCX-17 that I ran before getting my HDS7, I sold it and now I wish I had it back to put on the bow.

One last question to the guys with Structure Scan; just how shallow will they read, I'm thinking towards crappie fishing and river stripers.

[BentRod]

Leo, this shot is in 2ft of water! Need I say more

[leo24551]

OK, one last question, does anyone know the difference between LSS1 and LSS2 (explanation for dummies).

OH, and thanks Tyler, now you got me wanting structure scan. I'm just trying to imagine how this would be in the river during spring striper run.

[mwardncsu]

Nov 15, 2012 16:38:25 GMT -5 leo24551 said:

OK, one last question, does anyone know the difference between LSS1 and LSS2 (explanation for dummies).

The LSS2 has a better range and supposedly a little better clarity.... however the transducer is about 1.5X as long.....

Nov 15, 2012 16:38:25 GMT -5 leo24551 said:

OH, and thanks Tyler, now you got me wanting structure scan. I'm just trying to imagine how this would be in the river during spring striper run.

It would be awesome. Tell Bigjon its what he needs to give you for Christmas!

[mytoyzfishing]

After A LOT of research on this Structer Scan issue the past couple of weeks. Pretty muh what Mward said. The LSS2 has fixed the darkening problem some people were seeing on the outer eadges of the scan (farther out/range) and it also gives a crisper image than the LSS1 does, is longer than the lss1 other than that they are preatty much the same.

[leo24551]

Thanks everyone, I'll report back on the final decision.

Mike, did you say Bigjon and Christmas present in the same sentence???