Structure scan issue

I just installed my HDS8 combo pack. I did the install on flat level ground and adjusted the setting of the LSS-2 to relate to the on the water reading for side to side and front to back running roughly 2-6 mph. Well when taking it out the side image will black out after about 80ft on average. It blacks out on both sides at the same distance so I ruled out the motor casting on the unit. I have even lifted the motor all the way and used I-pilot to take me around. No change I have not been out in real deep water all test have been done in 3-19 fow give or take some. I also have changed the unit from 800 to 455 with no real difference on distance. Any help would be great can't wait to get it working and giving me more distance.

With the Lowrance side scan the shallower the water the less effective range you will have. The angle of the beams and the depth of the water dictate the range. Unfortunately it's one of the things you have to live with when you Lowrance.

That's my results as well.
Doesn't work well at all in deeper water.
Too dark, not enough power IMO

I had the same issue with my Lowrance and LSS-2 unit on my first setup. The shallower the water, the less we could get with the side scan. Kind of raises a question as far as how shallow one can get to get effective and clear returns on the structure scan setup as far as side imaging. I believe we only made it to 8ft is the shallowest we went and the quality wasn't the greatest. Anything over about 10 FOW we had really good luck with, just the shallow depths weren't very good. Maybe someone here can chime in and describe a possible fix? That was one of the reasons I was really thinking about going with HB units for my new boat because the quality of the picture seemed to be a little clearer and the side scan seemed to be better in my book...but went back with lowrance instead because I am more familiar with the system. Sorry, got side tracked and off topic. Anyway maybe someone can come up with a reasoning or possible solution. Seen a gentleman on here by the name of Rickie I believe. Very smart in this field, maybe he will chime in with something. Ok I'm done ranting, sorry for hijacking your thread, best of luck bud!:biggrin

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Originally Posted by brettw

That's my results as well.
Doesn't work well at all in deeper water.
Too dark, not enough power IMO

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This shot was taken with the unit in auto, I wish I'd thought to run the range out.

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...psbcc4b2c1.png

Well your picture is so good I'm going to check my setup.
Sorry to complain so much.
My SI unit is good up to 30' of water, excellent DI, average GPS,

Maybe my lakes mud bottom is absorbing a lot of reflective power

The Lowrance StructureScan shallow water hinderance is simply a matter of beam angle coverage....

The Lowrance SI beam angle ls only covering approximately 130°...(Lowrance will not publish their measured beam angle)...

Any target above that 130° is simply in the outer/upper fringes of the strength of the sound pulse...less sound pulse strength in the this section of water (above the 130° coverage) just doesn't reflect much of the sound pulse...

Less sound pulse strength = less echo return data = less data to "paint" into the SI image ....

Why Lowrance will not change their SI piezo design so the LSS beam would include more of the upper reaches of the water column...(which also would allow more strength in the sound pulse farther out)....??

I have my opinion...but no one knows for certain....

Rickie

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

Why Lowrance will not change their SI piezo design so the LSS beam would include more of the upper reaches of the water column...(which also would allow more strength in the sound pulse farther out)....??

Rickie

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My guess is the answer is in the lawsuit settlement with HB.

Good guess.
CAN'T SOMEONE MAKE A PERFECT FISH FINDER AND SUPER INEXPENSIVELTY