Thread: Hds8

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

That the box that makes the side and down imaging work. Needs 2 transducers if you wand both side imaging and sonar displayed.

So if a person is shopping the HDS 8 units, they should pay attention to what comes with it.

I'm thinking the Head and Base,

Regular transducer

An LSS-1.

Does this complete the setup other than the Audio Docking system?

Originally Posted by Crappie Reaper

What does the LSS-1 do?

Photo Details

Does one need to purchase more than one transducer for the HDS 8 or is there an all in one for it?

What your picture shows is what I got (with insight maps). I guess this is the beginner kit. I am a beginner with this unit. It works the same as HB in theory.

what kinda cost comparison is there between the 898 hb and the hds7 with side scan, I am itching to get one but I just cant decide which one to pull the trigger on


thanks

maachuu

I had a chance to view the HDS 8 or maybe 10 next to a Bird 998. They were both in si mode and I have to say the HDS was much better. They were both in demo mode and I assume they would put the best they could in that mode to help sales.

I just found out today that the HB sidescan is useless under 3mph. What good is it who trolls faster than that? My buddy ranger z21 has a lowrance hds10 and you wouldnt believe what his shows compared to my 997 . Im saving up. Might have to get a newspaper route.

With all the talk about the HDS Lowrance it has managed to confuse me even more I looked at the HDS7 but not sure that the side scan can be added to it and if I got with the HB 997 or 898 it is way cheaper. I know the word is that the Lowrance product is more detailed but when you go from no side scan to having side scan it is way better than what you had

maachuu

Its not as confusing as you may think.

If you want side imaging/down imaging all you do is buy either an hds5, hds7, hds8 or an hds10 and then the Lss-1 box separately which will have the side/down imaging transducer in it. The hds units all come with a sonar transducer as well. So you buy an lss-1 with whatever hds unit you buy and you will have all you need. Now, if you want to link two separate hds units together which is what I have done, that will allow you to do many things. One advantage to that is you can have one sonar transducer on your trolling motor up front, one sonar in the back for the backseat guy to see as you fish or for you to see if you are driving. The lss-1 transducer is best mounted on the rear of the boat and its linked from the lss-1 to both hds units for side/bottom scanning at either unit.If you are planning two hds units however there is one more thing you will need to buy and that is an ethernet cable for Lowrance.Its like 35 dollars but well worth the investment if you are using two hds units. I can set a waypoint on one unit, and it automatically puts it on both hds units. I have the hds8 up front for me to see while fishing and an hds7 at the console. I really like my Lowrance units and I find new spots to fish all the time that I never knew was good spots. I spent alot of time looking at both before I went Lowrance and I have been well pleased with my units. GCF

Originally Posted by GoneCrappieFishing

Its not as confusing as you may think.

If you want side imaging/down imaging all you do is buy either an hds5, hds7, hds8 or an hds10 and then the Lss-1 box separately which will have the side/down imaging transducer in it. The hds units all come with a sonar transducer as well. So you buy an lss-1 with whatever hds unit you buy and you will have all you need. Now, if you want to link two separate hds units together which is what I have done, that will allow you to do many things. One advantage to that is you can have one sonar transducer on your trolling motor up front, one sonar in the back for the backseat guy to see as you fish or for you to see if you are driving. The lss-1 transducer is best mounted on the rear of the boat and its linked from the lss-1 to both hds units for side/bottom scanning at either unit.If you are planning two hds units however there is one more thing you will need to buy and that is an ethernet cable for Lowrance.Its like 35 dollars but well worth the investment if you are using two hds units. I can set a waypoint on one unit, and it automatically puts it on both hds units. I have the hds8 up front for me to see while fishing and an hds7 at the console. I really like my Lowrance units and I find new spots to fish all the time that I never knew was good spots. I spent alot of time looking at both before I went Lowrance and I have been well pleased with my units. GCF

Thanks GCF for clearing that up for me

maachuu