Confused on purchase

I'm researching lowrance units and Bass Pro is the closest place I have to actually see and play with the demo units. The more questions I ask the reps, the more confused I become. I will explain what I am hoping to accomplish and would love to get clarity on what I need to buy. I like the touch screen so HDS Gen 2 is what I understand I need.

I want an HDS 7 at console w side imaging, GPS, down scan, and 2d color sonar. I want that unit linked to my bow unit so I can share maps and waypoints between the 2 units. Does this mean I have to buy an HDS Gen 2 for the bow as well in order to network?

I don't necessarily need side imaging at the bow but I do want down scan/2d sonar and GPS . My other question is, if I'm running down imaging at the bow, is it possible to have that transducer mounted to the TM? Or does it have to be mounted to the back of the boat? If so, does the bow mounted 2d sonar pull off of the Trolling Motor Transducer and the down scan pull off the back?

I hope this makes sense. I may be confused on the names.

Thanks.

Bow transducer will mount on the trolling motor. Im not sure about the Gen 2 thing, wish I were more help there.

Your HDS 7 should have come with 2 transducers. Side imaging, and down imaging because lowrance has a dedicated down image puck. Both of those will be mounted close together for that unit at back of boat (from the setup I think you are describing). And then the separate graph that has downscan will be on bow and transducer mounted on you trolling motor.

My opinion only, but I think the whole idea of a TM unit with DI is to be able to see what is right below me....not what is 15-20' away at the transom. So I want my DI transducer mounted to my TM. I know H'bird makes a mount or a puck for bow units, so I have to assume that Lowrance does, as well. If you want to learn more, there are lots of training type videos out on youtube to demonstrate (without a salesguy trying to reach into your pocket). Take you time with this, because you want it to be right the first time.

Thanks LP. The bundle at bass pro did come w the LSS td as well as the standard td. I'm thinking this bundle would work for my console unit. Regarding the 2nd unit for the bow, I could just buy the unit without the lss to save $. What I'm really wondering is if I could get the elite 7 chirp combo unit for the bow and still network to the HDS? This would save me 3-400 bucks since I don't need ss at the bow.

All HDS locators will communicate with each other via Ethernet and nmea. If your TM has a built in 2d transducer your lowrance can utilize this transducer with the correct adapter. If you want Di up front you will need a structure transducer. There are several option here. If you mount a LSS transducer you will have SI and DI. If you get a HDI transducer you will have DI and 2d. I recommend adding a structure scan module for at least the stern LSS. I have a module for both bow and stern LSS.

Do not try to network HDS locators with anything else. The Elite are made to be stand alone locators. You will have nothing but problems. Stick with HDS.

The Elite units cannot share waypoints or mapping with the HDS units via Ethernet but can do limited waypoint sharing via a NMEA network. The HDS units can share mapping and waypoints via Ethernet and the waypoints will be synced whenever both units are on even if you made some of them while one unit was turned off.
I presently have what you are wanting on my boat. I am running Touch9s but you could do the same with any size touch unit.
I have a Touch9 at the console connected to a 2d and an LSS2 structure scan transducer mounted on the transom of the boat. This will give you 2d, sidescan, downscan and mapping at the console.
I have another Touch9 at the bow that is connected to an HDI Transducer that is mounted up front. This will give you 2d, downscan and mapping at the bow.
By connecting the two units together with an Ethernet cable I can share mapping and waypoints acrossed the network and can even view sidescan from the bow unit acrossed the network.
This is a pretty popular set up for doing what you're wanting to do and works well. I have heard many people say to always buy the biggest screen you can afford and this is really true with sidescan. I had 7 inch units before and if you're trying to run sidescan, mapping and 2d at the same time the screen gets crowded in a hurry.

Thanks Low rider, your set up is exactly what I'm going for.!

Also thanks for confirming I can't network w the elite series.

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I like the touch screen so HDS Gen 2 is what I understand I need.

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All Gen 2s are not touch screens. All Gen 3s are touch screens though.

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Originally Posted by lowe rider

The Elite units cannot share waypoints or mapping with the HDS units via Ethernet but can do limited waypoint sharing via a NMEA network. The HDS units can share mapping and waypoints via Ethernet and the waypoints will be synced whenever both units are on even if you made some of them while one unit was turned off.
I presently have what you are wanting on my boat. I am running Touch9s but you could do the same with any size touch unit.
I have a Touch9 at the console connected to a 2d and an LSS2 structure scan transducer mounted on the transom of the boat. This will give you 2d, sidescan, downscan and mapping at the console.
I have another Touch9 at the bow that is connected to an HDI Transducer that is mounted up front. This will give you 2d, downscan and mapping at the bow.
By connecting the two units together with an Ethernet cable I can share mapping and waypoints acrossed the network and can even view sidescan from the bow unit acrossed the network.
This is a pretty popular set up for doing what you're wanting to do and works well. I have heard many people say to always buy the biggest screen you can afford and this is really true with sidescan. I had 7 inch units before and if you're trying to run sidescan, mapping and 2d at the same time the screen gets crowded in a hurry.

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I installed a Motoguide XI5 this past Winter and upgraded from 12v to 24v, my plan has been to buy a Lowrance Hds unit when funds allowed, which is now. I first thought of buying HDS 7 touch but common sence and huge hands tell me I will need a HDS 9 which is another $1000, so I am wondering if it would be simple enough to move the HDS9 unit from stern to bow when on the lake? or should I just continue saving my lunch money for another hds unit for the bow where I spend 95% of my time fishing? also You mentioned that you have a hdi transducer mounted up front and recieve 2d, downscan and mapping signals, I am guessing you have a traditional type trolling motor? where as My XI5 has a internal 2d ducer, so I am assuming if I wanted 2 hds units on my boat I would have to have to run both off of transum mounted ducers, or could I use the 2 transducers at one time (2d in XI5 and Side and down scan off of the transum mounted ducer? as much as Ive gown to like the XI5 I am wondering if not being able to use a different transducer on it easily could be a problem.

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Originally Posted by Tom 513

I installed a Motoguide XI5 this past Winter and upgraded from 12v to 24v, my plan has been to buy a Lowrance Hds unit when funds allowed, which is now. I first thought of buying HDS 7 touch but common sence and huge hands tell me I will need a HDS 9 which is another $1000, so I am wondering if it would be simple enough to move the HDS9 unit from stern to bow when on the lake? or should I just continue saving my lunch money for another hds unit for the bow where I spend 95% of my time fishing? also You mentioned that you have a hdi transducer mounted up front and recieve 2d, downscan and mapping signals, I am guessing you have a traditional type trolling motor? where as My XI5 has a internal 2d ducer, so I am assuming if I wanted 2 hds units on my boat I would have to have to run both off of transum mounted ducers, or could I use the 2 transducers at one time (2d in XI5 and Side and down scan off of the transum mounted ducer? as much as Ive gown to like the XI5 I am wondering if not being able to use a different transducer on it easily could be a problem.

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I'd save my $$ for another unit. lowe rider has the ideal set up, HDS touch & HDI transducer up front and HDS Touch, LSS (structure scan) transducer and 2d transducer on the stern connected via Ethernet. The only thing I'd add would be a NMEA network and a Point 1 GPS antenna/ heading sensor on the stern networked to the bow unit.

EVERY US2 transducer I've ever used had interference, period!

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Originally Posted by justinp61

I'd save my $$ for another unit. lowe rider has the ideal set up, HDS touch & HDI transducer up front and HDS Touch, LSS (structure scan) transducer and 2d transducer on the stern connected via Ethernet. The only thing I'd add would be a NMEA network and a Point 1 GPS antenna/ heading sensor on the stern networked to the bow unit.

EVERY US2 transducer I've ever used had interference, period!

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I also have the Point1 and a NMEA network. I also have an HDS7 non touch at the console that I use for mapping so that I can use the Touch9 for full screen sidescan. All three units are linked with Ethernet and NMEA.
The reason I didn't mention the NMEA network and the third unit is because we were talking about transducers for the touch units and I didn't want to confuse him with too much at once, sometimes I confuse myself with all the wires and cables I have ran in my boat. :yikes

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Originally Posted by justinp61

I'd save my $$ for another unit. lowe rider has the ideal set up, HDS touch & HDI transducer up front and HDS Touch, LSS (structure scan) transducer and 2d transducer on the stern connected via Ethernet. The only thing I'd add would be a NMEA network and a Point 1 GPS antenna/ heading sensor on the stern networked to the bow unit.

EVERY US2 transducer I've ever used had interference, period!

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I think you have another problem causing that interference. I've never had an interference problem using the US2. My current rig is a HDS7 connected to the US2.

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Originally Posted by lowe rider

I also have the Point1 and a NMEA network. I also have an HDS7 non touch at the console that I use for mapping so that I can use the Touch9 for full screen sidescan. All three units are linked with Ethernet and NMEA.
The reason I didn't mention the NMEA network and the third unit is because we were talking about transducers for the touch units and I didn't want to confuse him with too much at once, sometimes I confuse myself with all the wires and cables I have ran in my boat. :yikes

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I know what you mean on the wiring, my boat has a 12T and a Gen 1 7 (mapping) on the console, a LSS2 box and TD and a point 1. On the bow it has a 12T, Lss1 box and TD, and a point 1. It's all connected by Ethernet, no NMEA bow to stern.