Hey guys I’m looking to upgrade electronics this winter! I’m gonna go with a lowrance touch 7 or hds 8 gen 2. I’m looking for reviews on the touch units! Both these units would have the structure scan on them. Also should I go with ram or Cisco mounts? Thanks for the help guys
I like my7 with Johny Ray mount. Touch screen may not be as practical in colder weather as doesn’t respond well to cold fingers. Still learning the side/down scan, but a definite advantage. Good luck
I would go with the 8 as you get more options than going with the 7. You can split your screen into 3 or 4 versus 2, and you also get all the quick buttons along the bottom with an 8. Touch doesn’t seem like it improves the unit at all except trying to hit the right spot on the screen with 2′ rollers may be interesting 
Lowrance Touch Screen units have a lot of “built in” technology for the wave of the future that will save you money in the long run. For example, wi-fi compatability, 360 imaging compatability, video compatability, etc. which the GEN2 Non-Touch units will require add on hardware to use. Given, some of these things like the underwater camera are yet to come, but the touch is ready with a simple software update.
The down side has been mentioned above, they are not real user friendly in cold weather.
Thanks for the replies guys. Will probably go with the 8 just because I want the bigger unit! Unless I can save up enough before next year to get the touch 9 or 12!
In the touch models is the only difference in the 9 and 12 from the 7 the size, and that you can hook up a underwater camera to the 9 and 12. Are there any other differences?
I have ran a hand full of the HDS gen1 & 2 7’s and 8’s and now I am running the Touch 7’s and 9’s. I have liked them all but the layout and menus on the Touch units is awesome. Not that the HDS non touch units are hard to run but the Touch units are very user friendly.
The Touch 7 is a true 7″ screen. With the Touch units the structure scan module is built in so if you plan on adding structure scan and you need to do for the touch is hook up the LSS-2 transducer.
Both great units but after now having both I would take a Touch 7 over non touch 8.
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