Lowrance HDS Carbon ...

**rnvinc** · 12-13-2016, 08:47 AM

**rnvinc** · 12-15-2016, 10:59 AM

The Lowrance® HDS-12 Carbon features a new 12-inch ultra-clear SolarMAX™ HD multi-touch display using high-bright LED backlighting and advanced anti-reflective coatings to create wider viewing angles in any lighting condition. Only in HDS Carbon will you find superior color accuracy and a boosted high-resolution viewing panels specifically designed to truly maximize today's leading sonar. Loaded with dual core high performance processor, HDS Carbon delivers faster redraw speeds and quicker response times for dual-channel CHIRP sonar, dual network sounder views, StructureScan 3D® and StructureMap™ plus split-screen views showing all this and mapping at the same time; it has enough reserve brute strength to drive future high powered fishfinding upgrades. HDS Carbon brings modern "smartphone-like" comfort with integrated wireless and Bluetooth® connectivity that supports the most advanced marine technology including a Network Analyzer that notifies user when a new software is available, a system Service Assistant that allows user to transmit a detailed report of their electronics network direct to technical advisors for custom hands-on assistance. HDS Carbon is the most versatile combo available today, it can view and control Mercuryr VesselView® Link, be paired with Power-Poler shallow-water anchors, and control SmartSteer™ trolling motor/outboard motors. An expansive list of safety and entertainment plug-ins are available to complete your network. You can navigate easily with HDS Carbon behind proven Lowrance expertise, a 10 Hz internal GPS antenna, built-in C-MAP, and a multitude of mapping options accessible from the unit's dual microSD card slots or via wireless download from GoFree® Shop.

EASY TO SEE12-inch, LED-backlit, multi-touch, SolarMAX™ HD touchscreens produce wider viewing angles from anywhere in sight. Using a unique balance of high-bright LED backlight and advanced anti-reflective coatings along with superior color accuracy and a boosted high-resolution viewing panel, a wider operating temperature range and added moisture-proof optical layers produce clear visibility in any lighting situation.

SIMPLE TO USEUnique Lowrance® interface featuring quick-response touchscreen or keypad control, intuitive software, and protective coatings deliver performance in the most rugged on-the-water conditions. Lightning-fast, fingertip access to all HDS Carbon features.

DUAL-CORE, HIGH PERFORMANCE PROCESSOR:HDS Carbon employs a dual-core, high performance processor with more than enough agility, speed and power providing faster redraws and quicker response times to easily drive today's best technology, like StructureScan® 3D, Mercury® VesselView® Link and the Lowrance Outboard pilot. And, it has enough reserve brute strength to drive future high powered fishfinding technologies, too.

DUAL CHANNEL CHIRP SONAR:Never miss fish targets with two CHIRP frequency channels at the same time low, medium or high. Keep favorite high CHIRP frequency visible for increased target separation close to the bottom or in tight schools and now view the low frequency channel at the same time to cover more of the water column with wider and deeper cone angles.

DUAL NETWORK SONAR VIEWS:Cover more water and mark fish targets more clearly from a network of CHIRP sonar transducers. Watch sonar views from bow-mounted transducer and the in-hull or transom-mounted transducer at the same time on the same display.

MOST ADVANCED FISHFINDER TECHNOLOGY:Simultaneously view CHIRP Sonar with StructureScan® 3D or StructureScan® HD to get the best possible view of fish and structure, below and to the sides of your boat.

QUICKLY MAKE ADJUSMENTS:HDS Carbon has a high performance processor that produces lightning quick redraw speeds and faster sonar updates. It easily powers Carbon's intuitive user-interface that includes scrolling menus, cursor assist, snap-to setting markers and innovative preview panes with quick-touch slider bars.

STAY CONNECTED:Integrated wireless connectivity with the Lowrance® GoFree® App and other onboard devices, allows you to download software updates and map purchases - for immediate use - in addition to viewing and/or controlling the display wirelessly using supported tablets and smartphones.

NETWORK ALL COMPONENTS:Plug-and-play compatibility with Lowrance performance modules, including Broadband Radar, SonicHub®2 Marine Audio, SiriusXM® Marine Weather and audio, Class B AIS and DSC VHF, as well as industry-leading technologies, like Mercury® VesselView® Link, Bluetooth® control of Power-Pole shallow water anchors equipped with the C-Monster Control System and the SmartSteer™ interface, featuring control of MotorGuide® Xi5 trolling motor and the Lowrancer Outboard Pilot.

WIRELESS DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS:The Network Analyzer detects devices with out-of-date software, while the Service Assistant allows users to send a detailed report of networked devices to Navico Service for quicker resolution of software/technical issues.

TotalScan™ all-in-one transducer ready optional
point-1 Antenna support (external) optional
Precision-9 Compass Compatibility optional
Connects and communicates with HDS Gen3, HDS Gen2 Touch, and HDS Gen2 multifunction displays
Dual Ethernet networking port
Micro-C connection for NMEA 2000® devices
Video input via optional Adapter cable (000-11010-001)

Lowrance Navigation Advantages

Internal GPS antenna - with 10Hz position update rate provides ultra-accurate trails, smoother chart performance and maximum position accuracy. Supports WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS corrections.
Precision-9 compatible - the Precision-9 supplies accurate heading and rate-of-turn information to Lowrance®: autopilot, radar and navigation systems over an NMEA 2000® connection. With an internal array of solid-state sensors constantly measuring motion and orientation on nine axes, the Precision-9 also provides pitch and roll data to compatible equipment.
Extensive mapping options - HDS Carbon includes built-in C-MAP Basemap charts for Coastal and Inland US waters, a world background reference map, and compatibility with the most expansive selection of cartography on the market. Mapping options include Insight Genesis™, Insight PRO by C-MAP, Lake Insight HD by C-MAP, C-MAP MAX-N+, Navionics® and more. Visit GoFreeMarine.com for details.
Multi-view and chart sharing - View two charts simultaneously, in 2D or 3D perspective view, with independent control, range and overlay capabilities. Plus, get the maximum from your chart card purchases. Buy one map card and view it on all Ethernet networked HDS Gen3, HDS Gen2 Touch or Gen2 Displays.
Dual microSD card slots

Sonar Advantages

Built in CHIRP Sonar - Dominate with greater sensitivity, improved target resolution and superior noise rejection for clearer, easy-to-see bait fish and game fish targets. Delivers multiple CHIRP and Broadband Sounder frequencies from a single transducer.
StructureScan 3D - Integrated support for StructureScan 3D Imaging, which allows anglers to see fish, structure and bottom contours in a stunning three-dimensional view that gives them a better understanding of where fish and structure are locataed in relation to their boat.
Requires OPTIONAL StructureScan 3D Module and transducer.
Dual-channel CHIRP sonar increase visible fish targets with two CHIRP frequency channels at the same time low, medium or high. Keep favorite high CHIRP frequency visible for increased target separation close to the bottom or in tight schools and now view the low frequency channel at the same time to cover more of the water column with wider and deeper cone angles.
Dual network sonar Views allow for covering more water and seeing mark fish targets from a network of CHIRP sonar transducers. Watch sonar views from bow-mounted transducer and the in-hull or transom-mounted transducer at the same time on the same display.
Simultaneously view CHIRP Sonar with StructureScan®: 3D o StructureScan® to get the best possible view of fish and structure, below and to the sides of your boat.
Built-in support for structureScan® HD imaging- Enjoy picture-like, 180-degree views of structure and fish below your boat. Requires OPTIONAL structureScan® HD transducer.
Built-in, award-winning Broadband Souder™ - Display and mark gamefish, baitfish, and structure at higher speeds and at greater depths - from one to more than 3,000ft, depending on Transducer.
TotalScan™ transducer - use the OPTIONAL, all-in-one TotalScan™ Skimmer® transducer (000-12568-001) for Broadband and CHIRP sonar, plus StructureScan® HD with SideScan and DownScan Imaging™. This optiional transducer simplifies installations by allowing anglers to get all their sonar with only one transducer install.
StructureMap™ capability - Use live or recorded Structurescan® 3D and structureScan® HD logs to create stunning underwater images of lakes, rivers or seafloor. StructureMap can be viewed as an overlay, and toggled on and off to provide the ultimate in situational awareness in relation to both chart and bottom detail.
DownScan Overlay™ technology overlays DownScan Imaging™onto CHIRP Sonar or Broadband sounder™ returns.
TrackBack™ to review and save key ot spots - Scroll-back thru sonar or StructureScan® HD imaging history to review structure or fish targets and pinpoint the location with a waypoint.
SpotlightScan™ Sonar ready - OPTIONAL add-on delives a new level of angler-controlled surround-scanning view to provide picture-like images of key fishing areas.

Specifications

Display: 12 in. /305mm
Resolution: 1280 x 800
Dimensions: 12.92"W x 3.47"D x 8.85"H
Backlighting: LED with Adjustable SoLarMAX™ HD Display and Keypad
Power Output: RMS (PTP): Max 500W RMS
Operating Voltage: 12 vDC (10-17 vDC min-max)
Waypoint storage: 5000 with 200 routes
Plot Trails: Up to 100 trails - up to 10,000 points / trail
Mapping Options: Insight PRO by C-MAP, Lake Insight HD by C-MAP, C-MAP MAX-N+, Navionics®+, Navionics Platinum+, Gold and HotMaps® Premium, Fishing Hotspots® PRO and more
NMEA Output: NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000®
Power and Video: Red 10-pin power connector
Transducer Port 1: Blue 7-pin connector for Broadband and CHIRP Sonar
Transducer Port 2: Black 9-pin connector for use with StructureScan® 3D, StructureScan® HD and SpotlightScan™ transducers
2 Ethernet Ports
Wireless Connectivity
Warrenty: 2 year

SONAR

Depth Alarm: Yes
Output Power: 500W RMS
(StructureScan® 3D/HD), 40-60kHz, 85-145kHz, 130-210kHz (CHIRP), 50 kHz/83kHz/200kHz (Narrow Band)
Max Side Scanning range: 600ft per side
Shallow Alarm: Yes
Temperature Reading: Yes

MAX DEPTH PER SONAR OPERATION:

StructureScan 3D: SideScan - 600 ft/183m; DownScan - 300 ft/92m
StructureScan® HD: 300 ft / 91 m @ 455/800 KHz
CHIRP: 3,500 ft / 1067 m (transducer dependent)

**rnvinc** · 12-15-2016, 11:00 AM

This part is very interesting ...

.Dual-channel CHIRP sonar increase visible fish targets with two CHIRP frequency channels at the same time low, medium or high. Keep favorite high CHIRP frequency visible for increased target separation close to the bottom or in tight schools and now view the low frequency channel at the same time to cover more of the water column with wider and deeper cone angles

Rickie

**rnvinc** · 12-15-2016, 11:10 AM

Lowrance HDS-12 CARBON Models

HDS-12 Carbon Chartplotter/fishfinder MFD with C-Map Insight Charts and No Transducer will be $3149 forecast is March for shipping

HDS-12 Carbon Chartplotter/fishfinder MFD with C-Map Insight Charts and TotalScan Transom Mount Transducer will be $3399 forecast is March for shipping

HDS-12 Carbon Chartplotter/fishfinder MFD and StructureScan® 3D Bundle with 3D Transom Mount Transducer Will be $3999 forecast is April

Lowrance HDS-9 CARBON Models

HDS-9 Carbon Chartplotter/fishfinder MFD with C-Map Insight Charts and No Transducer will be $2049, forecast is March for shipping

HDS-9 Carbon Chartplotter/fishfinder MFD with C-Map Insight Charts and TotalScan Transom Mount Transducer Will be $2299 forecast is March for shipping

HDS-9 Carbon Chartplotter/fishfinder MFD and StructureScan® 3D Bundle with 3D Transom Mount Transducer Will be $2899 forecast is April for shipping

Lowrance HDS-7 CARBON Models

HDS-7 Carbon Chartplotter/fishfinder MFD with C-Map Insight Charts and No Transducer Will be $1249 forecast for shipping is April

HDS-7 Carbon Chartplotter/fishfinder MFD with C-Map Insight Charts and TotalScan Transom Mount Transducer Will be $1499 forecast for shipping is April

HDS-7 Carbon Chartplotter/fishfinder MFD and StructureScan® 3D Bundle with 3D Transom Mount Transducer Will be $2099 forecast for shipping is April

Rickie

**lowe rider** · 12-15-2016, 08:12 PM

Too rich for me right now. I think I'll be staying with my Gen2 units as long as they stay with me.
This stuff is changing too fast for me to afford to keep up. I'm 2 releases behind now and my current units are still under warranty.

**rnvinc** · 12-25-2016, 10:19 AM

Good write up from Team Colibri on the new HDS Carbon ...
(copied verbatim) ..

Originally Posted by Team Colibri

Copy and paste from my blog.

What is the difference between HDS Gen 3 and HDS Carbon?

Whenever a completely new model or a rewamp of an existing model comes out, we get the same question: "What is the difference?"

Lowrance HDS Carbon

Previously I have written a few articles about the differences between some of the (now historic) Lowrance-models:

This time we will take a look at the difference between Lowrance HDS Gen 3 and the brand new Lowrance HDS Carbon that was released 15. december 2016. We will look at the technical stuff, and try to translate that into what it will mean when out on the water.

Lowrance HDS Gen 3

HDS Carbon is actually the fifth version of the popular HDS-series. Before it came HDS Gen 1, HDS Gen 2, HDS Gen 2 Touch and HDS Gen 3. HDS Gen 2 Touch marked a new area of how Lowrance run their model-updates, since it was released shortly after HDS Gen 2 and the two lived alongside eachother for a year before HDS Gen 3 came. Again HDS Gen 2 Touch was keept alive alongside HDS Gen 3, and we will now probably see this pattern repeated with HDS Gen 3 living on for another year or so alongside HDS Carbon. Life goes on.

The technical differences between HDS Gen 3 and HDS Carbon might seem small at a glance, and I agree that they are smaller then the differences between HDS Gen 2 Touch and HDS Gen 3. But whether or not those differences should impact what you spend your hard earned cash on, depends on your intendended use. Let us have a look at what HDS Carbon offers, that HDS Gen 3 does not:

Better screen-resolution in 7 and 9.
Better screen on all sizes.
Dual core processor.
Double the RAM
Double band chirp
Double sonar-compatability through ethernet

Resolution, not only a question of your screen.

Did you know that the resolution in your sonar-signal is a lot better then the resolution of the screen you use to view that signal? The devil is in the detail, and the fish are to be found with good resolution. Sure, if you are fishing for 50LBS fish in 20 feet of water, just about any sonar will show you that fish as long as your boat (or rather your transeducer) is placed over it. But when it comes to seeing small targets, single baitfish or larger fish at greater depths, resolution plays a big part. When talking about resolution and sonar, we are really talking about two things: target-seperation and screen-resolution.

The sonar-signal itself has limited resolution, but those limits have been pushed. This is a huge subject, but to put it in laymans terms; having a great resolution screen will not help you one bit if the sonar itself has poor target-seperation. Over the last few years we have seen MASSIVE improvements in target-seperation in recreational sonar, in many ways that trend started with HDS Gen 1 and has since evolved and spread, but made a sudden leap when chirp entered the game. Todays chirp-sonar, and especially when paired with a low-Q transeducer like Airmars chirp-ducers are way better then that HDS Gen 1. Even with the more conventional (and wallet-friendly) Lowrance OEM-ducers like HST-WSBL there is noticable difference, both in shallow and deep water. With the introduction of double band chirp on HDS Carbon, that target seperation is taken one step further from HDS Gen 3, as long as there is a double band chirp-ducer from Airmar in the equation (and budget). For the shallow-water guys fishing for bass or northern pike etc there is litle to gain from double band chirp. But for those fishing in depths greater then 300 feet, and for those that fish both shallow and deep depending on what they are fishing for, the difference is noticable.

Connecting dual band chirp to HDS Carbon

There is a price to pay though. Right now the only transeducers that allow us to draw from this double band chirp are from Airmar and they are pricey. Ducers like TM265 and TM275 are great tools, but will easily cost the same as your HDS.

Screen-resolution is however not dependent on your ducer, and with HDS Carbon that resolution is better then ever:

7- 1024X600
9- 1280X720
12- 1280X800

The 12 (which is actually 12,1", just as with Gen 2 Touch and Gen 3) is pretty much industry-standard on resolution, but the 7 and 9 are not. Here is a comparison between brands and models:

Comparing screen-resolution

I`m personally a huge fan of getting the biggeste screen with the best resolution you can afford. For this reason I have always avoided the 9 and actually stuck with HDS 8 Gen 2 as my main screen on my own boat. The table above clearly shows that the days of my HDS 8 are numbered. Both Garmin and Humminbird have been ahead on screen-resolution on some models for a while, but that ends with HDS Carbon. If you are in the market for a 7-9, that fact should make HDS Carbon a serious contender.

Screen-resolution is important when out on the water. Downscan, SideScan and 2D-chirp allows our sonar to seperate targets better then ever before, and now the screens we look at have finally stepped up as well. It will be easier to spot fish hugging bottom or structure, and fish hiding in cover like brushpiles etc.

On forums and Facebook I see people complaining about how the screen of their sonar has such low resolution compared to smartphones or tablets at a fraction of the price. There are two reasons to consider here. The first is that your phone or tablet does not have to meet the same requirements as your multi function display (MFD) in the boat. Your MFD has a harsh life, exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Components meeting such requirements cost more then the ones in your phone. The other reason is the distance between your MFD and your eyes, versus the distance between your phone and your eyes. The further the distance is, the less gain comes from good resolution. So there is no reason for our MFDs to compete with our phones and we should stop comparing products that are ment for such different use. You don't see many people comparing phones with electronic boards at trainstations and airports, because there is no reason behind such a comparison. Whether or not the new screen-resolution of HDS Carbon 7 and 9 is where the limit should be drawn is another question. Personaly I would say no.

Better screen

With HDS Gen 3 Lowrance made the jump from LCD-screens where plastic was glued to plastic, and on to plastic glued to glass. The difference was noticable, especially in bright sunlight, but they where still using TFT. With the improwed IPS-standard screen on HDS Carbon the screen itself improves again from the TFT on HDS Gen 3. The visible light coming from the screen is brighter and easier to view in direct sunlight, but viewing-angles are also improved. Especially for users preferring the white background in their 2D-sonarimage, the white is now significantly whiter. IPS is pretty much the same standard as used in you flatscreen-TV back home. With IPS it is easier to view the screen as you run around in your boat, trying to catch fish, while glimpsing over to your HDS to see if you are missing something. This is a good thing, bassboat/single-consolle or cabin-boat alike.

IPS also helps another issue. Polarized sunglasses are very populare amongst boaters and fishermen, both for the extra comfort when reflections from the water are removed/ dampened and for a better view of what is under the surface. But they usually had to come off when looking at your sonar and chartplotter, since the screen would look dark through the polarized lens. IPS makes a big difference there, you can keep those shades on all the time now.

Better processor and RAM

Dual core processor and twice the RAM versus HDS Gen 3. If all you have ever used your HDS Gen 3 for is 2D-sonar and charts, you have probably never noticed any delay or temporrary freeze. But if you have a more complicated system including AIS, radar and StructureScan 3D, the occasional delay has been there even with HDS Gen 3 when running everything at the same time in splitt-screen. Especially StructureScan 3D seems to be heavy lifting for the HDS, but with HDS Carbon that is improved.

With live-mapping coming, both Navionics Sonarcharts Live and a second solution, the load on the unit increases. We have seen this before in other brands, both Humminbird and Garmin stepped up their units capabilities after their first generation of units with live-mapping. The process used to make those contours on your screen is called interpolarization, and even if the type of interpolarization used in live-mapping is fairly simple, it is to be considered as "heavy lifting" for any chartplotter.

Navionics Sonarcharts Live on HDS Carbon

Although it is not completely clear at the time writing this, it seems obvious that the increased capabilities of HDS Carbon is connected to Navicos (owner of Lowrance) efforts in cloud-based services. The trend towards the cloud has been evident in all other aspects of our electronic lives, and it is making its way onto our boats as well. We have already been able to update our units software through the cloud (this specific cloud is GoFree Store), upload sonarlogs and download charts. But there is a lot more to come in this field.

Insight Genesis map downloaded through GoGree

Network sonar times two.

Lowrance has had network sonar for quite some time, even before the HDS-series came to light. Any source for sonar can be viewed on any HDS, as long as that HDS is connected with ethernet (grey cable with yellow connectors) to the HDS in which the ducer one wishes to view is plugged. A practical example is your average bassboat. It has one HDS at the drivers seat, and another up front by the electric trolling motor (TM). The boat has one ducer at the back, and one under the TM. By changing the source for sonar in the menus of any of the HDS-units onboard, one can view both those ducers signal. Another practical example is my own boat, it does not mather if I use the HDS on the aft deck or in the cabin, both use the same ducer through ethernet.

My aft-deck HDS Gen 2 getting sonar (and map) from the front HDS Gen 2

With HDS Carbon the network sonars capabality is doubled. You can now view two sources for 2D-sonar on one HDS in splittscreen. So in our bassboat-example you can stand up front by the TM and see both what is under the TM, and what is under the transom. This is great news when fishing in shallow and rocky areas, but also for tracing fish that moves around from one end of the boat to the other when fishing vertically or dropshooting.

Is it worth it?
That is litterally the thousand dollar question. The main problem for me when asked this, is that the correct answer for you is based on 10% tech (which I frankly know well) and 90 % subjective reasons (which I'm clueless to). I would probably not upgrade from HDS Gen 3 to HDS Carbon, but I will upgrade one of my HDS Gen 2s to HDS Carbon.

Erik

Del

Rickie

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