Looking to upgrade from my HDS 5 to a Gen 2 Touch with StructureScan. In your guys opinion can I clearly see the StructureScan image on the 7 or should I save up another $1,000 for the 9?
Also, can you highlight a depth range on the mapping image like Humminbird on the Gen 2 Touch?
Lastly – I’m currently running an older Lakemaster chip on my HDS 5, what would be the equivalent for the new units?
Thanks for your input!
John O
The short answer is this is one case where bigger is ALWAYS better… The long answer is that if you’re going to keep the 5″ screen and run gps/sonar on one screen with structure scan on the other you should be able to get by with the 7″, but if you’re only going to be running one unit with multiple views showing both a gps chart and structure scan on a single screen I would definitly go with the 9″.
I agree with Will completely..(i run the HDS10) Structure scan works best with a bigger screen.. .Now I know that these 53 year old eyes don’t see as good as they used to, so that my be part of it.. but structure is easy enough to see..it’s dialing it in so you can see the fish too where the bigger screen with shine.. 
You can highlight on Lowrance with Navionics chips only. It will NOT give you the same features as Hbird with different color options it will basically just highlight the depth selected or range selected. To utilize depth highlight you must run Navionics chip only.
I have had great luck with my Lowrance Insight chip for my HDS 10 Gen 2, very comparable to Lakemaster in my opinion.
Bigger screen is always better when running structure scan on any unit.
Like most have said, bigger is definetely better, especially when trying to get more out of Unit.
I recently added a HDS 12 to my boat and was quite Skeptical about the touch thing.
Used in many times now and can’t hardley get used to using the HDS 10 up front anymore. Absolutely love the touch!
If you can afford it, go with the 9, you won’t regret it.
Rebates end 6/15 so you know.
Happy shopping.
I concur with the previous posts. While planning out my upgrades this winter I had the same question, what sealed the deal for me was I stopped in at a store that had an 8 and 10 side by side. Can you get by with the smaller, yes, but if you can swing the cash going to the larger will save you from wishing you had later.
Yes if you can purchase a 9 you will be much happier if that’s your only unit. Or another option is to run 2-7’s. Like Cal said the Lowrance chip is very similar to the Lakemaster.
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