Need Help Choosing New Lowrance Unit(s)

  • muskybones
    Posts: 372
    May 3, 2012 at 2:31 pm #1307073

    Hello,
    I have a Ranger 620. I have been running 2 Lowrance 104c units since I purchased the boat in 2005. Well, one of the units stopped working and I am looking to upgrade. I will continue to run the one 104c that still works as my depth finder at the bow. I am mulling around the idea of getting a Hds-10 or two Hds-7 units at the console. The Hds-10 would be split screen for navigation and sonar. The two Hds-7 units would have one dedicated to navigation and the other for sonar. At this time, I am not interested in the downscan or sidescan stuff. Maybe at some point in the future that stuff will interest me, but it can be added later.

    Thanks in advance for advice and opinions.

    Bones

    John Schultz
    Inactive
    Portage, WI
    Posts: 3309
    May 3, 2012 at 2:55 pm #1065245

    I have an HDS-5, an HDS-7, and an HDS-8. Fairly big differences between the 5 or 7, compared to the 8 or 10. No soft keys on the two smaller ones. More split screen options on the two bigger ones. The 7 should really be called a 6 as the screen size is closer to 6 inches than 7, and seems like a huge difference to me between my 7 and 8.

    I think both of your options sound like good ones. If you don’t think you will ever add structure scan, I would maybe do the two 7s. Perfect solution would maybe be two 8s. The 10 is a really nice unit though.

    That was probably no help.

    mike-west
    Amery, WI
    Posts: 1422
    May 3, 2012 at 3:06 pm #1065252

    The soft keys really are a nice feature.
    The larger screens are a must, at least for me.
    I run a HDS 10 & 8 at counsel and a HDS10 up front.
    Next 620 will have 2 8’s at counsel and a 10 up front.

    As far as the use of the soft keys, you can do alot of major screen and system adjusting without going into menu.
    and you can also pre load 6 favorie pages which I use 3 all the time.
    You may want to go to a dealer and play around. Think you’ll agreee on the 8 or 10 with soft keys.
    Just MHO.

    Happy shopping!

    Paulski
    “Ever Wonder Why There Are No Democrats On Mount Rushmore ? "
    Posts: 1196
    May 3, 2012 at 3:29 pm #1065265

    I finally upgraded this year, and I went with the dual 7 in screens that I can run in the bow or console. Like you, I am going to run them with sonar on one, and the map on the other…

    I upgraded all 3 of my units for close to the the cost of one 8 inch HDS.

    adam-bartusek
    New Prague, MN
    Posts: 578
    May 3, 2012 at 6:05 pm #1065331

    Quote:

    At this time, I am not interested in the downscan or sidescan stuff. Maybe at some point in the future that stuff will interest me, but it can be added later.

    I never thought anything of that either. Then I bought a down imaging system and looked at a few of my spots. Man it changed my world. Just saying

    John Peterson
    Woodbury, Minnesota
    Posts: 349
    May 3, 2012 at 7:23 pm #1065377

    Quote:

    Quote:

    At this time, I am not interested in the downscan or sidescan stuff. Maybe at some point in the future that stuff will interest me, but it can be added later.

    I agree. After looking at Down Scan Imaging I purchsed a LSS-1 unit. It makes a world of difference when viewed along side the 2D sonar.

    I never thought anything of that either. Then I bought a down imaging system and looked at a few of my spots. Man it changed my world. Just saying

    bck
    Big Stone Lake Sd
    Posts: 257
    May 4, 2012 at 1:47 am #1065486

    I have a 2005 620 and just upgraded electronics. I went from 2 5″ units on the dash and bow to a HDS10 on the bow and a 7 and 8 on the dash. If I had it to do over it would be 2 8’s on the dash, the larger screens and soft keys are worth the money.Cabelas has gen one Hds8 on sale for 1399.00 free shipping.

    brian_j
    Posts: 204
    May 4, 2012 at 12:41 pm #1065571

    Quote:

    Hello,
    I have a Ranger 620. I have been running 2 Lowrance 104c units since I purchased the boat in 2005. Well, one of the units stopped working and I am looking to upgrade. I will continue to run the one 104c that still works as my depth finder at the bow. I am mulling around the idea of getting a Hds-10 or two Hds-7 units at the console. The Hds-10 would be split screen for navigation and sonar. The two Hds-7 units would have one dedicated to navigation and the other for sonar. At this time, I am not interested in the downscan or sidescan stuff. Maybe at some point in the future that stuff will interest me, but it can be added later.

    Thanks in advance for advice and opinions.

    Bones

    I just went through all this too. I don’t think you’ll need 2 HDS7s without structure scan unless you have eye sight issues and need a lot of screen. If I were you I’d try to find someone that has structure scan and spend a day in their boat. Once you see it in action I think you’ll change your mind about it.

    Personally if it were me, rather than spending $2,000 on 2 HDS7s I’d go for one HDS8 gen 2, and the structure scan.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    May 6, 2012 at 5:48 am #1066015

    Quote:

    If I were you I’d try to find someone that has structure scan and spend a day in their boat. Once you see it in action I think you’ll change your mind about it.

    You’ll have to make up your own mind on the size.

    However I do agree with the above. Not sure what area you live in though.

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