Networking Lowrance

Ok, thanks to a few of you I found a HDS 7 Gen 2 to go with my HDS 8 Gen2 at a pretty good price. Question, from my understanding I should be able to ethernet all the information out of my structure scan box? Will this also share way points or there something else I need to do? I figure then I will have to hook the new unit up to the NMEA2000 to get use of gps puck? Let me know if I’m on the right track or need to adjust it.

Thanks

If you put the Ethernet between the two GPS units you will get the waypoint sharing.
Now, to show your structure scan between the two, I believe you have to have both units connected to the StructureScan module via NMEA2000.
Here is what I think will get you what you want. Assuming you are using a point1 GPS module or LGC4000 you will need to connect that to your NMEA2000 network backbone. This will require a t connector and plug the GPS puck into it. You will also need a T connector for each of the HDS units (2), short network cables (2) for each unit to connect to the NMEA backbone. Connect the structurescan module to the NMEA2000 backbone. Next, get an Ethernet cable and connect between the two HDS units for waypoint sharing.
I am reasonably confident this will allow you to see the structurescan, waypoints, and GPS puck on both units. There might be a simpler approach, but I am not 100% sure what that would be.
If you do a quick Google search for NMEA2000 network diagrams you should see a ton of pictures. If you have the HDS manual, I believe it has some in there as well.

I will say, that maybe you should consider NOT sharing the puck between both units. Here is my reasoning…I would assume you have one unit located at a different spot in the boat then the other right? Say you have one at the console and one at the bow. In this case I wouldn’t share the puck. I have 3 HDS units in my boat and I use the internal GPS on all of them. I wouldn’t share the puck if I had one with my unit in the front IMO.

Thanks a ton for the information. I will be putting on the council next to the 8 to run map on one and sonar on other.

OK, if they are going to be right next to each other and you want to run a puck personally I would just run the puck to one unit, but that is up to you. I have two units side by side and only use one for chart plotting, the other is showing structurescan, 2D sonar solely too. The internal GPS on these units is really pretty good so I haven’t opted for a puck at all.

I think before I get all the connectors for the puck I will try the internal GPS and see how it works. Thanks CapMusky for all the information. Now we just need open water so I can start playing with it.

I’m not ready for open water just yet. I want at least one trip to LOW this year!