I have a 1675 Lund Explorer with a MinnKota Terrova trolling motor in the front with universal sonar. I am either going to install an LMS 522C IGPS or an HDS 5 on the console. What would be a good unit to install on the bow to utilize the networking capability of either unit. What are some benefits/ draw backs with the networking feature?
I would do two of the 522’s or two of the HDS 5’s. This way if one unit goes down you will have an inter-changeable one to use at either location. Keep in mind I have never used a HDS unit, so I can’t speak for their performance.
FDR
With the networking do you need to have 2 GPS units, or can one GPS do the work for 2 units? 
You can share one GPS antenna. BUT if you are using a chip at the bow and the antenna in 18 ft away from what you are reading on your sonar. The two won’t match. Just my thought.
FDR
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You can share one GPS antenna. BUT if you are using a chip at the bow and the antenna in 18 ft away from what you are reading on your sonar. The two won’t match. Just my thought.
FDR
I would think it would be more a matter of the location of the antenna vs transducer, not antenna vs GPS Unit. If you are using an HD unit, I believe the antenna is built in, so if you use that antenna, you would need to look at the relationship of the antenna/unit vs the transducer. The further apart the 2 are, the more “error” you would have in the contour map compared to the depth reading.
JD
A network is similar to the phone lines in a home where
you can connect numerous devices into the “backbone”.
The advantages to networkworking are:
(1) you can run multiple GPS units off of one antenna.
(2) you can share waypoints between multiple GPS units.
(3) you can add other features such as an engine interface
cable, gauges, and sensors.
With the use of the ethernet cable you can also share sonar
between units. This will allow the people at the back of the boat to see the same picture your getting at the bow.
You can also turn a Globalmap unit into a sonar unit via
an ethernet cable.
You would not get GPS functions on a sonar only unit by
networking it. You could share sonar data via the ethernet
cable though.
You also cannot share a mapping chip between two Sonar/GPS
units that are networked.
That’s all I got!!
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You can share one GPS antenna. BUT if you are using a chip at the bow and the antenna in 18 ft away from what you are reading on your sonar. The two won’t match. Just my thought.
FDR
I would think it would be more a matter of the location of the antenna vs transducer, not antenna vs GPS Unit. If you are using an HD unit, I believe the antenna is built in, so if you use that antenna, you would need to look at the relationship of the antenna/unit vs the transducer. The further apart the 2 are, the more “error” you would have in the contour map compared to the depth reading.
JD
Yes you are correct. I am assuming that he is running a ducer/US on his bow mount. Otherwise…what would be the point of having an additional unit up front. I should have stated this in my original explanation.
FDR
All the new HDS units have a built-in GPS antenna, which may or may not impact your need to network units.
Isn’t the HDS-5x a sonar unit only though?
In my system I have 4 displays ( not the new HDs )that share 2 different GPS antennas on the network, there is a setting to pick the stronger of the signals and use that data for positioning. It’s maybe a bit overkill, but I built my system with backups…just in case!
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Isn’t the HDS-5x a sonar unit only though?
Yes, that one is. I thought you were talking about the combo units. I’m sorry.
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