Lowrance HDS

[Maury]

So, the new Lowrance HDS FF's have been out for a while and I have been thinking of upgrading. I currently have a Lowrance X136df. I am hoping that some of you that have the new setup can provide some insight.
Is the new system worth the money? does it live up to the hype?
Thanks for any feedback.
Maury

[FishingFool]

what's wrong with your current model? I would like to buy a real FF instead of having just a depth finder. Does it show speed and water temp? If you buy a new one, are you going to sell your old one? If so, how much? :cyclopsan

[mav186]

Hey Maury...it's my opinion that HD and similar technology is in the fore front and here to stay...before transforming into something new and better of course. I was in Cabelas last week discussing a different question w/ the staffer...our conversation took us over to one of the HD Lowrance units by chance. I was quite impressed by the ease of navigating through the menu screens and of course the display and functionality of the unit was quite impressive. I too have a Lowrance (520c) and love it. Based on my personal experience w/ my unit, the reputation of Lowrance, their customer service and countless positive feedback from other fishers I know...If you have the money, I don't think you could go wrong with one of the newer models!

[Amx]

What are they gonna cost?

[2000subaru]

$600 to $1600...

[FishingFool]

damn it, i just missed out on a deal because I had to think about it. Thought about it 10 hrs too long.


There was a new Lowrance HDS 5 with 83/200 transducer and the Lake Insight package for under $570 shipped.

[davidwat1]

I'm kind of a freak about my electronics and I've been holding out for the new Sidescan and Downscanning technologies from Lowrance to become available before I upgrade. My dad is a charter boat captain on Lake Erie, and last year I convinced him to upgrade his Lowrance units to the HDS 10, and although I have not seen it in action, he has been blown away by how incredible that unit is. I have heard that the they are a bit tricky to setup and definitely take some getting used to, but I've heard the same thing about the Hummingbird Side Imaging units as well.

My current setup is a pair of networked LCX 28HD units, but I bought the broadband sounder box as a seperate add on last year, which gives me the same resolution and target seperation as the HDS units. There is a significant difference between that level of detail and what you get out of your standard units that don't have broadband sounder technology on them. Come next spring I will have a new HDS (at least a 7" version), on my boat for sure!

BTW FishingFool, if that unit was new and came with the transducer I think you missed out on a hell of a deal!
Best,
Dave

[sickbayer]

well i thought long and hard about upgrading my x125 to the HDS 5...in the end i chose the lcx 28 HD because it plugged straight into the nmea cabling and transducer that i already had. i paid 700bucks new from an online merchant. I did this as like david says you can buy the broadband sounder unit and it also plugs right into the nmea netwok.....