Upgrade maps that are already inside my Lowrance?

  • Tim Bossert
    Cochrane, WI
    Posts: 429
    #1614949

    Stay with me…this might get long and my thoughts could jump a bit. coffee

    Can I update the maps that came with my Lowrance HDS7 Gen 2 Touch and HDS5 Gen 2 (non-touch)? When on the same body of water (Mississippi river), the HDS 7 shows me wingdams, contours, depth, etc…, but the HDS 5 just shows water. No depths, no wingdams. While on the Bay of Green Bay, I did see contours, underwater hazards, etc… on both (the 7 showed just a bit more details, but…).

    If both units are Gen 2, why do I not get the same Lowrance map embedded on each? With both being smaller screens, I only get one SD slot with each. I want my blank card inserted so I can log if I want, but cannot do that by purchasing a map card and inserting it into my only slot. Still with me? Good.

    I do understand that I can network the two together and essentially share a map chip between the two and log on the other unit, but I don’t want to get that complicated just yet (I also have the Xi5 that I eventually will network in, but not sure exactly how I am going to utilize the two HDS units. I do a lot of different fishing from trolling Lake MI, to casting from the bow so where to put the HDS 5 is undecided. I thought possibly moving from console to bow depending on fish targeted, but we’ll see).

    To simplify for now, can I just update the map that came preinstalled on my HDS 5/7 units? If yes, how?

    ottomatica
    Lino Lakes, MN
    Posts: 1380
    #1614953

    You won’t be able to upgrade internal maps. Not sure why the differences but there was an Insight option I believe and that may be the difference.

    Networking them is not complicated. Buy an Ethernet cable and connect the two units together. 1 Cable, two screw on connectors. Couldn’t be simpler.

    CaptainMusky
    Posts: 22539
    #1615033

    Networking to share the map card is about as easy as it gets. Like said just an Ethernet cord will do it. You do have to make sure both units have the right sw version though. If they are both gen2 units you are likely good.
    The difference you see on preloaded maps must be because one is insight while the other isn’t. So you have insight imprinted on the outside of the card slot of both units?

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