Lowrance HDS-5

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

Was talking to a supplier and he mentioned the side sonar stuff.

I'm thinking I'm not in that much of a rush to replace my unit and may wait for the side stuff to come out before pulling the trigger.

 

[thadraperyfallz]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

I was going to get a GPS unit anyway. Should be a good time.

 

[John_S]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

I have seen a press release that Lowrance will be coming out with SI sometime this summer. It also sounded like it would be an upgrade to the current HDS. Requires a new SI transducer and Lowrance net.

http://www.lowrance.com/en/About/Pr...-Sonar-Option-for-New-High-Definition-Systems

 

[kandil]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

Was talking to a supplier and he mentioned the side sonar stuff.

I'm thinking I'm not in that much of a rush to replace my unit and may wait for the side stuff to come out before pulling the trigger.

it is an add on that you buy as an upgrade why wait 1 year?
I was wondering if I can add an external display via the NEMA 2000 network?

 

[cougtoad]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

Well I went out and bought an HDS-5 last week and finally took it out for a few hours yesterday.

Im very happy with it. I still have to learn more than just the basic functions, but what I did use was great. Very nice display, marked tons of fish (and caught a few as well). GPS worked well. I bought the components to make it portable and no problems there either (battery lasted all day and the suction cup stayed put)

I bought the Lake Insight addon, but the lake we were on wasnt one of the incuded lakes so I'll have to wait to try that feature.

The only thing I was a little disappoined with was the basemap detail for Alaska. I guess I can upgrade with a Navionics map if I need to...most likely I wont though as Im only up there once a year.

All in all a very nice sonar/GPS for the price.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

it is an add on that you buy as an upgrade why wait 1 year?
I was wondering if I can add an external display via the NEMA 2000 network?

Mostly because I still have a decent unit and want to see how they do price it when it comes out.

 

[kandil]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

I bought the Lake Insight addon, but the lake we were on wasnt one of the incuded lakes so I'll have to wait to try that feature.

That is how they make the money. that is another $200 I made sure that my map is good for where I will be fishing or that what the sales man told me remain to be seen
did you get the 200KHZ?

 

[cougtoad]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

Actually it was only an extra $50 for the lake insight. $799 vs $749. To buy all the lakes separately would have been at least $200 extra, maybe more, so I figured I'd do it now.

And I ended up getting the 83/200 transducer. Most of the fishing I do is not deep enouhg to warrant getting the 50/200. I have a friend who just ordered the 50/200 for his older model Lowrance...if the connections are compatible I might hook my HDS up to his transducer just to see what the difference is...if any.

 

[thadraperyfallz]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

I just don't know what to do at this point. HDS-5 looks so sweet, but the things I don't like are:

- No price point for side view yet (100 bucks? 200 bucks? I read somewhere it could be in the neighborhood of 700! Just for the side view!)
- You don't get the scroll wheel and enhanced menus until you get into the 8 or 10 inch models (we all know this will probably be available on next year's hds-5 model)
- You don't get softkeys until you get into the 8 or 10 inch model (again, they will probably 'correct' this obvious flaw with next year's hds-5 model)

I'm leaning towards a Humminbird SI 798c now. It can be had for 850 to 900, and comes with Sonar/GPS/SI. Plus, this is the 2nd or 3rd generation, so they've made improvements (such as programmable softkeys so you can quickly toggle through views and whatnot). I'm concerned about having to go through the menus on the HDS-5 to switch the different views (sonar/gps/sv).

My decision would be much easier if they would just release the prices BEFORE July. I think HDS will be a much better idea next year, since the units will more than likely be sold with side view. Perhaps get the HB now, then sell it off for the Lowrance next year or when they have their $h!t straight?

It's a tough call. I have a Lowrance X102C color right now, and absolutely love it. I'm a Lowrance fan, but the HB looks like the better choice with the information I have at this point.

 

[John_S]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

thadraperyfallz,

I like the new features in the 798 and will be upgrading to it from the 797. Larger screen, dual SD (map and a record card), GPS upgrade, and some programable keys. You are right hitting the view key to cycle through all the display options is anoying. Getting a good SI image and transducer placement is more challenging than 2D sonar. Lots of info on the web, and great support by HB on user groups and forums.

The SI xducer is around $250 for HB and would expect Lowrance to be close to that, plus a receiver/transmitter, and Lowrance net, seems that $500-$700 may be in the ballpark. I image in 2010 you will see some SI units out of the box, not just an upgrade path. You would expect some first year bugs with any major changes, like HDS and SI. I'd expect a few S/W upgrades in the 1st year.

 

[thadraperyfallz]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

If I DO go with HB, it will be just until Lowrance gets everything running smoothly. I think it will be more of a fling, since my old lady is Lowrance.

Then again a friend of mine thought the same thing and sold off his other Lowrance to get another HB because he liked his SI unit so much.

 

[John_S]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

Careful, you might like the mistress (HB) more than the old lady.

 

[kandil]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

I'm leaning towards a Humminbird SI 798c now. It can be had for 850 to 900, and comes with Sonar/GPS/SI. Plus, this is the 2nd or 3rd generation, so they've made improvements (such as programmable softkeys so you can quickly toggle through views and whatnot). I'm concerned about having to go through the menus on the HDS-5 to switch the different views (sonar/gps/sv).

My decision would be much easier if they would just release the prices BEFORE July. I think HDS will be a much better idea next year, since the units will more than likely be sold with side view. Perhaps get the HB now, then sell it off for the Lowrance next year or when they have their $h!t straight?

It's a tough call. I have a Lowrance X102C color right now, and absolutely love it. I'm a Lowrance fan, but the HB looks like the better choice with the information I have at this point.

The reason why I bought the HDS is I have and old black and whit Eagle and becuse the HDS has the new broadband technology for the cheapest priceI don't know if the HB are broadband?are they?
maybe you should wait and keep using your Lowrance until the new SI comes out

 

[kandil]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

Actually it was only an extra $50 for the lake insight. $799 vs $749. To buy all the lakes separately would have been at least $200 extra, maybe more, so I figured I'd do it now.

And I ended up getting the 83/200 transducer. Most of the fishing I do is not deep enouhg to warrant getting the 50/200. I have a friend who just ordered the 50/200 for his older model Lowrance...if the connections are compatible I might hook my HDS up to his transducer just to see what the difference is...if any.

This maps have no details the $200 ones do for your area http://www.ebuyersworld.com/SD-16XG-Navionics-XL9-USA-East-SD-Card-p/28970.htm

 

[John_S]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

I don't know if the HB are broadband?are they?

No they are not. How many fish have you caught, or located that non-broadband finders didn't? How much structure have you found that went undetected with non-broadband? As far as I can tell, you are basing allot of faith on an article on broadband, and assuming that your HDS-5 is the best thing since sliced bread, because of it. Re-read Boatist's post #46. There could certainly be some drawbacks assocaited with them. Until there has been at least a season of use, you won't know what it really can or can not do. What fishing situations its better for, and what it is not. What infancy problems it may have, etc. Everyone gets excited about getting a new unit, you just seem to be a "little" too exited. But, I am one of those guys that don't believe any of the marketing speal.

 

[kandil]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

Hi imported_John_S I don't know where you came up with this assumption that I am basing allot of faith on an article on broadband, and assuming that my HDS-5 is the best thing since sliced bread.
all what I am saying is if Lowrance delver what it says it does for the price then it is great stuff.+the broadband technology is very promising
and to answer your questions about the fish I cut you know it is nonehowever I am exited to go fishing soon and I will let you know how the HDS will preforms have a nice day

 

[John_S]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

Hi imported_John_S I don't know where you came up with this assumption that I am basing allot of faith on an article on broadband,

I think it was this thread: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288836 and it has been nothing but broadband, since. You are just starting to sound a little like a salesman, who has read up on it, and praising it, without having any realtime on the water with it.

 

[cougtoad]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

This maps have no details the $200 ones do for your area http://www.ebuyersworld.com/SD-16XG-Navionics-XL9-USA-East-SD-Card-p/28970.htm

The Insight lakes have contour lines versus no contour lines for the rest of the lakes. What additional detail does the $200 Navionics version include?

 

[thadraperyfallz]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

Kandil -

How do you switch between your sonar and gps views on the HDS-5? Is it a single button, or do you have to access the menus? I could see that getting cumbersome once you add sideview into the mix. This is why I love the idea of programmable hotkeys on the 798c.

 

[thadraperyfallz]

Re: Lowrance HDS-5

Well I spoke with a Lowrance rep yesterday and he told me side imaging would be available in April. I told him I read the official press release and it said info would be released in July at the iCast show. So he gave me his card and asked me to contact him later this week because he's supposed to be getting pricing information for me to add side view to the HDS unit, and also what exactly is involved (firmware upgrade, transducer? A module and a transducer?)

So I'll be posting here as soon as I hear from him. I told him I'm buying by March 15th, so hopefully he'll get on it.