Structure Scan Questions

Alright guys, got some questions as I got my structure scan installed on my boat. I am running an HDS 7 Touch Gen 2 at the console and an HDS 5 up front...for now. Couldn't get the boat out to the bigger and deeper lakes this last weekend due to weather mainly too strong of winds being the issue. So I settled for a much smaller lake that maybe 10 feet deep at the most. So here goes my questions.

On the side imaging I was really only able to see about 25 feet out to each side. At the time we were cruising in 8 foot of water. I am assuming that the shallower the water the less you will be able to see out to the side?

Also, I have seen tons of excellent photos on here as far as picture clarity. Anyone have some pointers or some tips on adjusting what settings and which way to better the picture?

To the LSS2 transducer now...I do recall seeing in the instructions the LSS2 transducer needed to be within a foot of the transducer that came with my depth for my HDS 7. However, the LSS2 transducer is supposed to be mounted lower than the 2d transducer. My question is, how much lower does this need to be or can it be pretty close to the same level. The way I have both of my transducers setup, they are both at the bottom of the boat as they should be, but the LSS2 transducer is just a hair lower than my 2d. Is that ok or do I need to go lower with it? I will try and post a pic of it at some point when I can get one. The only way I would be able to go lower with it is by going behind the outboard motor...anyone done this or have issues with it?

Seems like a lot and I know...just trying to get setup the best way and I am not always the fastest learner either so any and all help you guys and gals might provide is much appreciated! Thank you in advanced and have a great evening!!

I had the same question about the distance out on the side scan. From what others on here told me, you can effectively scan out about 3 times the depth you are in, so at 8 ft. 24 feet is right on the mark. I had my side scan set a 80 feet and in 10 feet of water I only was reading out to 30 feet and the screen beyond that was blank(black). Thought I had something wrong, but just had the distance to high. To see maximum detail, you want the whole screen to display so adjust the width to match the depth times 3.

The two TDs need to be within 18 inches I think. That is for the overlay data to work. If you are not concerned with having data overlay it does not matter. I was so afraid of knocking my LSS2 off on a stump I bought the adjustable mount so I could raise it when I fish stump filled waters.(Santee Cooper)

Well I can now breath easier on the side scan lol. That makes sense! Thank you SeaRay! I still have a ton to learn about this setup as well as tweaking it for better clarity pictures but I am sure it will come with time! Thanks again!

The 2d transducer can be anywhere on the boat. Mine is on the trolling motor for vertical jigging/dropshotting, while the LSS2 is on the transom.

In 8' water make sure frequency is on 455 to see side further. You should easily see 100' to each side. If the water depth drops off steeply it will not show as far.

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/q...pskd15jy4r.jpg

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps6aeeb7f7.png

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1a24af75.png

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/q...psda97e7f6.png

Well that is what I thought but all the responses I got to this question said it would read out only to about 3X the depth. That was born out on my unit when I took I out. Makes me wonder if the HB reads further out than my Lowrance HDS 7.
What unit were you using Montee??

Here is a link to my post.

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/side-...-7-touch-help/

I wanna say I was switching between the 455 and 800 while scanning and the clarity really went to crap when I punched in the 455. Of course I am sure a ton of other factors were playing in that day as well. Like I said in the previous post...I still have a ton to learn on these things as far as tweaking them.

That is from an HDS8 and LSS1. I never use 800.

To see the best detail it is reccomended you set distance to 3x the depth. But you can certainly go further out but less detail as everything gets smaller.

Yes Humminbirds do see a lil further to the side.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by huntnfishnguy2014

I wanna say I was switching between the 455 and 800 while scanning and the clarity really went to crap when I punched in the 455. Of course I am sure a ton of other factors were playing in that day as well. Like I said in the previous post...I still have a ton to learn on these things as far as tweaking them.

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Correct ... The "other factors" are important also ...

There are "trade offs" in all aspects sonar ...

*Higher frequencies have greater detail ... But with less range ...
*Lower frequencies have greater range ... But with less detail ...
(This has to do with sound pulse sine wave shape and properties) ...

Then there are the "Enviromental factors" involved ...

*Water depth ...the sound pulse strength diminishes more the farther away from the xducer origination ...
*Water particulate ... The sound pulse can be absorbed into water particulate leaving less pulse strength to return to the xducer ...
*Bottom composition ...The sound pulse is absorbed more into softer bottoms leaving less pulse strength to return to the xducer ...

Harder bottoms are always easier to scan and get more range ... Simply because more of the pulse strength can be returned to the xducer ...

Frequency choices are tools ...
*455kHz should be used to see out farther toward the edges of screen ...
*800kHz should be used to see more detail of objects closer to the boat ...

Limiting the unit function to 1 frequency only for all applications is like an electrician going to work with only 1 screwdriver ...

Rickie