Lowrance front unit

[CrappieClint]

I am purchasing a Lowrance HDS8 for my consol. I am going to go ahead and replace my front graph as well. For the front graph I want a Lowrance with sonar, and gps on a split scene. Any suggestions on a good model for me to look at? I thought about maybe a HDS5 or something, but i'm getting into alot of $$$$$. Thanks

[feelay]

It is a lot of money but, I think the HDS8 is better suited for the front. I would rather have the HDS10 on the console. My eyes aren't as good as they once were. The HDS5, for me, is just way too small.

[mduncan62]

Clint, I run 2 HDS 5's on my boat. Love them. I'd say you'll want your second unit to be HDS if you are going to have the LSS-1. With a 30.00 network cable you can watch the sidescan or downscan on both units, share waypoints, and routes.

[beagle man]

please dont get the 5 if you can afford to get the 7 or 8 or 10 the 5s are a great unit and I have one, but for up front I changed out the 5 and the 7 is great.

[Wannabe...]

Yep, you'll regret the 5 on the front and trying to split the screen. I understand the $ thing though. If ya really want to get squirrely and only rely on the FF for depth, then get the 5, run it full on GPS and mount an elcheapo FF next to it. In effect, you'll have a larger GPS output size than splitting a 7 or 8 and still have the ability to switch to color 2D (when you really need it) or SI if you're going the LSS1 route.

Past that, you can look for a discontinued used LCX in 7".

Wannabe...

[mduncan62]

my 2 hds 5's and the lss-1 does just fine for me. Got lasik a few years ago, so I can see.

I just record to card, then watch it on the laptop later. Mark the spots and import. Works great for a guy on a budget.

[GoneCrappieFishing]

For us crappie guys, or for me anyway, I put my better and bigger unit up front.Why folks say put the hds8 at the console and just something else or the smaller hds unit up front is beyond my understanding. My hds8 allows 3 or 4 screens up at same time and thats a huge advantage to me over the hds7.I can follow a trail, see sonar, watch the down and side scan all at the same time with the 8, but can only do two of those at once with the 7.

[Crappie Reaper]

Why folks say put the hds8 at the console and just something else or the smaller hds unit up front is beyond my understanding. .

Place the unit wherever you'll get the best results for your personal taste. Not everyone fishes from the front of their boats. I took the consol out of my boat and stuck a tiller motor on it. I normally fish out of the back of the boat and I rarely even deploy the trolling motor unless I have a guest and I need to move it out of his way. If you only have one side/down imaging unit, the consol would be my preference to locate areas faster. Marker bouys are still cheap and then use a regular sonar up front off the TM to see if you're over the spot. If you have the money for two side units, It just becomes a matter of personal choice.

As for your initial question, if you can read the HDS5 screen pretty good, then it should be a decent choice. You could always resale it close to what you pay for it if you don't like it.