Network Help

Lowrance HDS Network help:
I need some advice. I have yet to set this network up.

I have 3 HDS units.
1) An HDS 7 Touch (Gen 2)
2) HDS 5 (Gen 2)
3) HDS 5 (Gen 1)

-I have HDI a transducer mounted on the transom and one at the bow on the trolling motor.
-I have an LSS1 transducer mounted at the rear. I have a structure scan unit as well.
-I have a 6ft and 15ft Ethernet cables for networking.

Here are my questions.

1) Advice on how to set this up?

My thought: I was thinking of putting the touch at the console and the gen 2 HDS 5 at the bow so they can share maps, waypoints, and sonar, and then using the Gen 1 unit for dedicated sonar at the console (and of course networking all three units together)

2) Since I have the HDS Touch Gen 2, can I ditch the structure scan box and run it all off the Touch unit?

3) Any other thoughts or things I should consider.

You can share maps between the Gen 2 Touch and the 5 Gen 2 non touch. But can’t to the 5 Gen 1… You can share sonar to all of them though via Ethernet.

The problem with sharing sonar to all of the units is the number of Ethernet ports available on the units. You will basically need the Structure Scan HD Box to act as a hub for Ethernet. As the units themselves don’t have enough ports for everything you mentioned.

I would run the LSS1 to the head unit of the Gen 2…

Hope this helps.

The touch has two ports. Run one ethernet cable to each of the other boxes and they’re all three networked. Correct?

If I’m understanding correctly, the Gen2 Touch unit can replace the structure scan module.

Jeff Yund wrote:

The touch has two ports. Run one ethernet cable to each of the other boxes and they’re all three networked. Correct?

If I’m understanding correctly, the Gen2 Touch unit can replace the structure scan module.

A 7 Gen 2 Touch will only have 1 ethernet port. The 9 and 12 have 2.

You’re right. I may just ditch the Gen 1.