Anyone using it?
Interested. But I'd need another HDS unit to run it,correct?
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Anyone using it?
Interested. But I'd need another HDS unit to run it,correct?
Don't you have a 9T?
There's been some pics posted on BBC and some have looked pretty good and a few have been not so hot. My first impressions of it were less than stellar but if setup properly it just might be worth while.
So far from what I've seen when people get it dialed in it'll be on par with the 360. I can see it's uses for several crappie fishing methods, I'm going to wait.
Yeah, I have a 9T.
But if I put that up front, it leaves me with nothing at the wheel.
I could just put an old GPS unit there.
It still works.
Bottom line is I need to know if the Spotlight is worth a darned before spending time and money.
I fish brush exclusively. Seeing fish in the pile would be huge.
Watch the bass boat central Lowrance electronics forums...Quote:
Originally Posted by brettw
Bass fishermen are always willing to be the 1st guinae pigs for new technologies...
Rickie
Hey guys, a newbie to the forum here but, not to crappie fishing.
I am waiting for my 'spotlight' to arrive and the current schedule is now the week of 4/7 but, it's changed so many times, I have no faith when it will arrive.
I really like everything I've seen about it, especially the fact it is trolling motor mounted. And, of course the price, compared to HB.
I'll be hooking it to my 9T on the bow of my Lund and I'll write a review when I can.
OB
keep me in the loop please.
I'm thinking it's what I need.
8 brush piles on one area, but which holds fish?
Brett, that is just one of the reasons I am anxious to try it out. Another is when you are approaching a waypoint, you won't need to motor over it to place your marker bouy. Less possibility of spooking the fish, if they are there. It should speed up how fast you can setup on structure holding fish. For me, I've been disappointed in new products from both L and HB in the past and I'm really hoping this won't be the case with 'spotlight'.
Agreed.
Now if all it will really do is show an image of brush that I know is already there, I will be very disappointed.
If I can actually see fish inside the brush, on top, or to the side, then I'd be thrilled.
Please let me know how it works for you. We would have identical set ups.
Don't worry about spooking the fish when fishing good brush. Any noise only concentrates the crappie back into the brush. If they were feeding actively before, they'll still be hungry when spooked into the brush.Quote:
Originally Posted by Okie Bob
One summer, when my daughters were younger, we were fishing a good brushpile on the starboard side of the boat. The bite had slowed somewhat and they complained about being hot and wanted to swim. They had their life jackets on and I told them to jump in, but on the port side of the boat. Three girls out in the water less than 10' from the brush pile. Splashing and cackleing like women do, the crappie went deeper into the brush and started nailing my jig! The noise concentrated the crappie in the area back into the brush!
I loaded up at least 15 more keeper fish in less than 15 minutes. Once the spot was fished out, we moved to another brush pile so they could swim some more!
It's a favorite tactic of mine during the hot summer months.
I dare you guys to try it!
Just got the tracking number for UPS and it shows my new 'spotlight' will be here by late Friday!!! With luck I'll post my initial voyage with it early next week, if not before!
Reaper, I think you are on to something here!
I live on Cedar Creek Lake in ETx which has a LOT of personal boat houses surrounding it. One of my favorite docks was have some heavy duty landscaping going on, replacing the metal retaining wall. They use a barge mounted machine to pile drive the sheets of steel into the ground. Anyway, I decided to shoot the dock anyway, thinking the fish would have run for cover. To my surprise, my first three shots resulted in three nice slabs! Go figure
I have a 9t on order, also ordered the gofree wireless last night. My budget won't let me get two big boy units, but with the gofree, it'll almost be like having another touch up front. I'm eyeballing the spotlight as well.
You'll love the 9Touch! Went out today, bluebird day here, could not have asked for more. Caught 50 and cleaned 28 nice ones. Between two of us of course. Caught mostly on brushpiles in 12' of water. Started the morning on rock seawall next to spillway with 11 nice fish. It looks like we are starting to enter post spawn and I love it!
Welcome to the other side Bob. Your spotlightscan transducer will arrive this Friday my friend.
Screen shots of the spotlight on brush would be much appreciated
Working on it. OkiBob will be on the water Monday and we hope to have some reviews from him Monday evening.Quote:
Originally Posted by brettw
Excellent, where do I send the check?
Cash donations are always gladly accepted preferably in large denominations!
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ys/popcorn.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by Okie Bob
Just unwrapped the 'spotlight' and hope to get it installed tomorrow! To say I'm excited is definitely an understatement!
Best put on a jacket just in case you go premature. :biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by Okie Bob
Are you bringing the 'spotlight' to camp? I would love to see one in person!Quote:
Originally Posted by Okie Bob
If I make it to camp I'll definitely have it on my boat and would not mind at all showing it off.
Sent check to Crappie Kid, is this correct address?
The Spotlightscan will only work with GEN2 units, if you have a GEN2 Touch you also need to have a NMEA2000 connection. For non-touch units you will need NMEA200 system and a sonarhub module before the unit will work. The first round has been sold out and the next scheduled ETA is 5/7. Your best bet of getting one this next round is to preorder.
LOWRANCE SPOTLIGHTSCAN TROLLING MOTOR TRANSDUCER FOR HDS GEN2 TOUCH
IN STOCK: 21
Lowrance SpotlightScan™ Sonar
SpotlightScan™ Sonar delivers a higher level of angler-controlled, surround-scanning views to provide picture-like images of key fishing areas on your HDS Gen2* or HDS Gen2 Touch fishfinder/chartplotter display.
Similar to the way a scanning spotlight reveals objects in the dark, SpotlightScan™ Sonar clearly pinpoints structure and fish targets ahead and around the boat, so anglers save valuable time on the water and maintain focus on the most productive fishing spots - all without disturbing these areas before anglers have a chance to fish them.
Features
- Focusing on the areas you want to fish, SpotlightScan™ Sonar allows you to quickly concentrate on the key fishing areas of greatest interest - without wasting valuable fishing time while waiting for a full 360° scan.
- SpotlightScan™ Sonar features a scanning range of 150', and it operates at optional frequency ranges of 455 or 800 kHz.
- In addition to surround-scanning performance, the SpotlightScan transducer also provides DownScan Imaging™ for picture-like images of fish and structure beneath your boat - as well as award-winning Broadband Sounder™ technology, which is ideal for marking fish arches and tracking lure action.
- The SpotlightScan™ transducer can be installed on any bow-mounted, cable-steer, foot-control trolling motor (not electric steer) using a stainless-metal hose clamp (included), so there's no need for special mounting kits. To complete the installation, a SpotlightScan NMEA 2000® sensor is connected to the trolling motor's foot pedal.
- With this installation, the angler has complete control - simply by using the remote foot pedal - of the SpotlightScan™ sonar direction and scanning speed - all without having to make additional menu adjustments on the HDS Gen2 display.
- Supported by Lowrance Advantage Service program.
- NMEA 2000r Starter Kit (part number 000-0124-69) required for installation.
- *HDS Gen2 (non Touch) models require SonarHub™ Sounder Module for SpotlightScan™ Sonar operation.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________________
LOWRANCE SONARHUB SOUNDER MODULE W/ SPOTLIGHTSCAN DUCER FOR HDS GEN2 Non Touch
IN STOCK: 29
Navico SonarHub™ Sounder Module w/ SpotlightScan™ Sonar Transducer
The compact SonarHub™ sounder module provides an all-in-one solution for adding best-in-class StructureScanr HD and CHIRP sonar capabilities to compatible Lowrance HDS and Simrad NS series multifunction displays.
An easy-to-install, plug-and-play, all-in-one network solution - the SonarHub™ Sounder Module makes it easier than ever to identify productive fishing areas with connectivity to the latest sonar technologies for Lowrance HDS and Simrad NS displays - including CHIRP and StructureScan HD imaging - as well as the Lowrance SpotlightScan™ bow-mounted solution for HDS Gen2 models.
Features
- Compact, all-in-one sonar module delivers StructureScan HD and CHIRP sonar technologies.
- CHIRP sonar with Airmar TM150M or B150M transducers delivers extremely efficient pulse generation that provides improved target resolution and noise rejection, as well as wide coverage for perfect arches that clearly identify fish targets.
- StructureScan HD offers best-in-class, side-scanning range and resolution, plus DownScan Imaging™ to provide crystal-clear, picture-like views of what's beneath your boat.
- Optional transducers include Airmar TM150M and B150M single-channel CHIRP transducers, existing StructureScan HD transducers, and the SpotlightScan™ surround-scanning sonar transducer.*
- Plug-and-play compatibility with Lowrance HDS Gen1 (not including SpotlightScan™ and CHIRP sonar), HDS Gen2 and Gen2 Touch fishfinder/chartplotter models, and Simrad NSO,NSE and NSS series multifunction displays.
- Three built-in Ethernet ports allow for quick and convenient networking without the need for an extra Ethernet networking module.
- Supported by Lowrance Advantage Service and Simrad Advantage Service programs.
*SonarHub Sonar Module not required for SpotlightScan™ functionality with HDS Gen2 Touch displays.
Lowrance SpotlightScan™ Sonar
SpotlightScan™ Sonar delivers a higher level of angler-controlled,
surround-scanning views to provide picture-like images of key fishing areas
on your HDS Gen2* or HDS Gen2 Touch fishfinder/chartplotter display.
Similar to the way a scanning spotlight reveals objects in the dark,
SpotlightScan™ Sonar clearly pinpoints structure and fish targets ahead and around the boat, so anglers save valuable time on the water and maintain focus on the most productive fishing spots - all without disturbing these
areas before anglers have a chance to fish them.
Features
- Focusing on the areas you want to fish, SpotlightScan™ Sonar
allows you to quickly concentrate on the key fishing areas of greatest
interest - without wasting valuable fishing time while waiting for a full
360° scan.- SpotlightScan™ Sonar features a scanning range of 150', and it
operates at optional frequency ranges of 455 or 800 kHz.- In addition to surround-scanning performance, the SpotlightScan
transducer also provides DownScan Imaging™ for picture-like images of
fish and structure beneath your boat - as well as award-winning Broadband
Sounder® technology, which is ideal for marking fish arches and tracking
lure action.- The SpotlightScan™ transducer can be installed on any bow-mounted,
cable-steer, foot-control trolling motor (not electric steer) using a
stainless-metal hose clamp (included), so there's no need for special
mounting kits. To complete the installation, a SpotlightScan NMEA 2000®
sensor is connected to the trolling motor's foot pedal.- With this installation, the angler has complete control - simply by
using the remote foot pedal - of the SpotlightScan™ sonar direction and
scanning speed - all without having to make additional menu adjustments on
the HDS Gen2 display.- Supported by Lowrance Advantage Service program.
- NMEA 2000 Starter Kit (part number 000-0124-69) required for
installation.- *HDS Gen2 (non Touch) models require SonarHub™ Sounder Module for
SpotlightScan™ Sonar operation.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________
LOWRANCE NETWARK STARTER KIT
IN STOCK: 200 +
NMEA Starter Kit
Network starter kit. Includes 2 terminating resistors (TR-120M-RD, TR-120F-RD), two T-connectors (N2K-T-RD), one 2 ft extension cable (N2KEXT-2RD), and one 15 ft extension cable (N2KEXT-15RD), and a power node (N2K-PWR-RD).
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________
OKIEBOB just received his spotlightscan for his 9 touch and has been on the water getting things adjusted and dialed in. He should be giving us an update soon.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...69f24ead37.jpg
David @ shut-up-and-fish
Surprise, surprise! Inventory was replenished today, full inventory on all you spotlightScan needs!
David at Shut-Up-And-Fish shipped my 'spotlight' package and it's now installed and working! I can't seem to insert a couple of screen shots I took from my maiden voyage. Maybe someone can help me?
The installation went pretty easily but, the pictures in the installation manual were not for my Fortrex tm and made it more
difficult than it should have been. I am a little concerned about how long the double sided tape will hold the sensor in place but, it is working just fine. Once I figured out what to do I could install another one in 5 minutes! It really is that easy.
Another complaint is the NMEA 2000 tee supplied has to connect directly to my 9 Touch. Since my tm is on the bow and my existing network cable comes from under my console, the tee has to connect to my 9. I ordered a 2' cable from David that will solve the probem but, Lowrance should have forseen this is going to be the same problem for everyone and furnished it.
Once installed, getting it operational was a snap and instructions were perfect. Calibration is very easy.
Understanding how to use it is not so easy and is going to be a long learning curve.
What I'm still not sure about is how the transducer actually works and what I'm seeing. It appears each side of the 'v' which you see on the screen is a separate beam. If you are sitting still in the water, deploy your tm with the system on, all you see is the 'v'.
You must move the tm to paint any picture! In other words, the 'v' does not fill in what the spotlight is supposed to be showing, you have to move the trolling motor to get anything on the screen.
I think with time on the water I'll get used to this but, it isn't what I expected and really detracts from it.
I may have discovered a flaw or bug in the system also. Every time I 'touch' the 'range ring' softkey, my system reboots! Could just be my boat but, I think not.
I do have a couple of pics I'd like to share if I can get some help!
Looks like maybe I figured it out?
I think what you are seeing is a school of sand bass. As soon as I saw this I thought it was crappie, dropped a jig and hung a pretty good size sandie!
Another comment on the pics in my above post.
Looking at the spotlight panel, you'll notice the dark area. It is dark because I had not yet turned my TM to that area yet.
You can see where I turned it to the left, stopped and turned back to the right and stopped. Had I gone further either direction
you would see less of the dark area.
Again, this is just the way spotlight works and it's not what I had wanted to see. You have to turn your tm to refresh the screen
and that is close to a deal killer to me. Maybe I'll get used to it with time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OkieBob
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...9-shot_002.png
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...0-shot_003.png
Looking Good Bob. I will come visit you soon. Are you fishing the Walley Marshall Mr. Crappie event in OK?
Dave, I am fishing the Hugo tourney with Matt. Are you going?
No offense to anyone, but I'm not seen any images that would make me go out and buy spotlight scan.
You know my schedule my friend....:yikesQuote:
Originally Posted by Okie Bob
They allow Matt into OK? ....lol..:Rofl
I know where the brush is.
I want a device that will show fish in, near, or on top. No fish? Go to the next brush pile.
Like my HDS 9 downscan shows, but scans in front of the boat.
Thus far, all I see from the Spotlight is a blob that I already know is there.
No argument from me guys. At least not yet. But, I haven't had it on the water for an hour yet. I'll be out tomorrow and able to spend some time trying to figure it out. Maybe I'll have a better opinion after that.
Okie, I hope you get better results. Why can't they just make a down scan ducer that shoots forwards more? Forward scan and not the stupid circle requiring thing. Looking forwards to hearing better results with a bit of practice.:cheers2
Good luck Bob,
Don't mean at all to be critical.
Thanks for keeping us informed.
I think I know the reason. I think what HB does is what Lowrance does not do. And that is why the radical price difference. Personally, I won't pay $2k for something like the 360 so I get a scaled down version that required more interaction on my part.Quote:
Originally Posted by GroutScout
I'm guessing that was the thinking of Lowrance, right or wrong.
I do wish they'd be more open in their advertising and honest about what you have to do to make this thing work. And, spend some money on educating us, their customers on exactly how this technology actually works.
Hopping down from my soapbox now, get me started and I'd be here all day!