Thread: Side scan fish locators

Cabelas has the lowrance HDS-7 on sale for $599 after rebates from Jan5-16. Just checking with you guys that already have them to see what extras you have to buy and how much. I know you have to buy the side scan seperate and didn't know what else was needed. Will this unit interfere with my Hummingbird unit on the trolling motor if both are left on at the same time? Do you think lowrance is coming out with a new model and that is why they are discounting this unit? Thanks for the information.

yes lowrance is comming out with a new modle

do not think it will have any effect on your bird

you do not need anything else after you buy the side scan unit. and if you ever decide to add another unit, all you need is a cable from the box to the unit, and they are cheap 12 to 15 dollars or so... I have the 7 and the 8 and they are nice

Thanks Micheal. Is the side scan just the transducer or do they give you some kind of chip with it?

you get two transducers, one for side scan one for regular, that way you get a decaded sidescan and that makes it....in my opinion..... a clearer sharper picture, and no need to contact anyone, you will not have any trouble,,,, they are far enough apart and with the lowrance on the back and the humminbird on the front, you will have the best of both worlds,,,, sounds like a good purchase comming your way

Might want to contact Humminbird_Greg http://www.crappie.com/crappie/membe...bird_greg.html about the interference part.

I have heard stories of the Lowrance and HB models interfering with each other due to frequency tolerances. Here is his work email, [email protected] he is very good at answering emails, but since the holidays is here he might be a tad bit slower than usual, but you can post in the Electronics, trolling motor thread here on cdc and he will get to it that way as well.


On the HDS-7 it will come with standard items like transducer, mounting hardware and wires. If you want a different mounting bracket like a RAM mount so that it can be turned and maneuvered a little better, (which I suggest) you have to get that either from Lowrance or from an online store like Amazon.

I don’t know enough to answer the question completely, but the transducer does the main part of the sonar scan and the unit interprets it for you on screen. They work together so that you can see to the side, cant do it with a different transducer, if that is what you’re asking.


Are you asking about the side scan or the structure scan? Also there is currently two models, with or without "insight". And yes I heard there is a updated model this coming year due out in early spring. But might want to ask someone else on that specifically. New HDS® Gen2 | Lowrance

There is a guy on the forums from Lowrance as well. He posts on the same forum thread as the other but he does not leave his work email, and I have never been able to talk to him but it may be worth a shot for answers to some questions. Don’t rely on a dealer whatever you do! If you need to just call Lowrance with your specific questions. Here is the guys name and profile here on CDC. http://www.crappie.com/crappie/membe...+lowrance.html

Hope you get all your questions answered sorry I could not be of more help.

BPS has the Gen2 in thier new catalog.

OK guy, will share what knowledge I have on the Lowrance units. I have a HDS8 installed, another HDS10 on order-should arrive tomorrow. Both have Insight mapping. The HDS8 I installed first. If you do not get the Structure Scan or LSS1 bundle you will only have a transom mount transducer. The Structure Scan Transducer (side scan) does not come with the basic unit at the price that Cabelas has. The structure scan transducer and ethernet box are needed to fully use the HDS unit and network to another HDS unit in the future. It can also fetch your motor data via serial communication from your motor if your motor has this capability. I shop at Anchor Express on the net. Lowrance is comming out with Next Gen model after the first of the year. Supposed to be a little faster. I originally installed the HDS 8 last summer and if I liked it I was gonna buy another for the bow and have a pair. I love the thing, the HDS 10 is on sale with rebate so decided to install a HDS 10 at console and move the HDS8 to the bow. They will communicate via existing ethernet. Hope the helps you, the whole process is rather confusing.

Thanks everyone for the information. I will need to hit cabellas to see what the extras are going to cost.

Going to cost at least an arm if not a leg. lol

Good luck to you LSL

I went by Bass Pro and they are out of the HD7. I called Cabellas because the sale starts tomorrow by there flyer and they are out also and thats it for the HD7 units. If any body see another sale on them shoot me over a pm.