best price for a lowrance hds7?

[Miller]

Probably been asked but where is the best price for a Lowrance hds7 and lss2 structure scan? Any places I should be contacting that dont turn up on google?

Thanks

[Ian M]

BT Marine electronics worth a try.

[ncp]

In the US, I think BOE Marine had/has the best price I could find (and I did a lot of calling around and googling) . I ordered an HDS-7 yesterday during their sale for US$808 (no maps, no transducer). The sale ended yesterday and their regular price for that unit is ~$850 (Airmar P79 was $104 and Navionics Platinum+ map Maps were $160).

Edit: And I went LSS-1 since, in the US, they were offering a $300 rebate on any HDS/LSS-1 combo purchased by April 30. I see rebates of 30GBP off the HDS and 85GBP off an LSS-1 (if you go the LSS-1 route). Too bad we can't ship US versions to you (I think there's something in the softeare), I will have paid US$1285 (net of rebates) for the HDS-7, LSS-1, P66, & Maps...works out to ~790 Pounds.

[Nos4r2]

The best one I've turned up so far in the UK is PRS Comms at £817 without transducer.

I'll be buying one soon too, so I'll be watching this thread carefully!

[Jeff]

Also finally looking/hoping to get in on the sidescan sonar brigade.
I have and intend to keep my trusty Garmin Fishfinder 340c with dual frequency tranducer as well as GPS MAP 292c

Does the Lowrance HDS7 work with just the single StructureScan (HD) device and transducer or do I also need the std tranducer - apart from cost I am not sure how I could fit 3 transducers ! (or if they would interfere with each other)
Ideally, I would retain the garmin /airmar on the starboard side and mount the LSS on the portside.
Any help appreciated
Jeff

Apologies if I am being dim

[ncp]

You don't have to attach a 50/83/200 standard type transducer to the HDS unit. You can just attach the LSS-1 black box to the HDS and the Sturcture Scan transducer to the LSS-1 box and you're good.

As long as you aren't mixing frequencies, you can have as many transducers as you want. If you're running a 50/200 on your Garmin, the structure scan won't interfere as it runs 455/800.

If you want some real detail, check out the US forum "the hull truth" and look in the marine electronics section. Lot's of active members and they know a whole bunch about this stuff.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

The best one I've turned up so far in the UK is PRS Comms at £817 without transducer.

I'll be buying one soon too, so I'll be watching this thread carefully!

We can probably match that for a GEN II unit NOS!!

[Miller]

what about the lss 2?

[BruceB]

I have a 50/200 dual transducer running in parallel with Structure scan, they don't interfere with each other as they are on different frequencies

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by ncp

You don't have to attach a 50/83/200 standard type transducer to the HDS unit. You can just attach the LSS-1 black box to the HDS and the Sturcture Scan transducer to the LSS-1 box and you're good.

As long as you aren't mixing frequencies, you can have as many transducers as you want. If you're running a 50/200 on your Garmin, the structure scan won't interfere as it runs 455/800.

If you want some real detail, check out the US forum "the hull truth" and look in the marine electronics section. Lot's of active members and they know a whole bunch about this stuff.

Many thanks
Jeff

[Jeff]

Looks like I was a bit ambitious with the idea of the HDS 7 on my console - so will now 'have' to use the HDS 5.
Good job I downloaded the respective flush mount templates to double check !

Anyone have any thoughts/ experience on the 5" screen. I am uysed to the Garmin GPS 292 and FF 340 and find these ok. The HDS5 is quite a bit bigger and I only really plan to use it for downscan/sidescan - not having 4 windows open.

Jeff

[Ian M]

Yes, I've got an HDS5 in my console and find it OK. If you are not using split screen it is plenty big enough in my opinion, it is when you start looking at split screens it is a little restrictive, but still usable. The definition and colours on the screen is one of the plus points of the Lowrance units to my mind.
I have an HDS5 for sale if that is of interest (not the one out of my boat )

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Yes, I've got an HDS5 in my console and find it OK. If you are not using split screen it is plenty big enough in my opinion, it is when you start looking at split screens it is a little restrictive, but still usable. The definition and colours on the screen is one of the plus points of the Lowrance units to my mind.
I have an HDS5 for sale if that is of interest (not the one out of my boat )

Thanks Ian,
I had pretty much come to the same view given what kit I use currently. I dont think I am likely to use the split screen too much but am glad for some first hand experience.
Decided to buy and found a good deal with sea-kit.co.uk - purchased the GenII HDS 5 and the LSS-2. Chris was very helpful there.

Bit of cutting and rewiring to do :::: it will replace my old back up GPS of a Garmin 128 and SBA differential receiver ( from the old pre Wass/Egnos days!)

I would be better fitting it this weekend rather than carrying on with plans and bookings for West Bay, Dorset >>>. f5-6's and 2.7m waves on Saurday

,,,,,,,,,,,,,, serves me right for going South !

Cheers
Jeff

[Perroboy]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Yes, I've got an HDS5 in my console and find it OK. If you are not using split screen it is plenty big enough in my opinion, it is when you start looking at split screens it is a little restrictive, but still usable. The definition and colours on the screen is one of the plus points of the Lowrance units to my mind.
I have an HDS5 for sale if that is of interest (not the one out of my boat )

Sorry to junp in!!! But I would be interested in your HDS5.Is it the combo version?

[Jeff]

All arrived quickly and safely thanks to Chris at Sea-Kit / BT Marine. Delivered direct from Navico in Holland complete with the silver Navionics charts pre-loaded as well as latest software. Lowrance download shows latest as HDS_Gen2-1.1-39.38 but supplied with 1.1-39.39

Busy weekend fitting - and I am definitely getting too old and tooooo fat to squeeze through the console hatch but made it . Have to say I was suprised a little by the size of the 'black box' which serves me right for not reading the specs but thankfully plenty of room after fitting a new mounting plate. You will now see why my idea of the HD-7 was a bit ambitious (the keys would have been strategically placed behind the wheel)

All thats left to do it get out on the water and play >>>>>>>> shocking user manual Lowrance !!

Hopefully will get round to posting some of the output soon.

Jeff

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Perroboy

Sorry to junp in!!! But I would be interested in your HDS5.Is it the combo version?

Woops, sorry missed this
Yes it is the combo version. If you are still interested send me a PM.

[Erin]

That's a really neat job you've done there Jeff. Looks very well planned and smart. It's a pity the transducers are so big though.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Erin

That's a really neat job you've done there Jeff. Looks very well planned and smart. It's a pity the transducers are so big though.

Yes, the sidescan/ downscan transducer is a bit scarey ! Its about 2.5" longer than the LSS-1 and I am not sure what impact it will have whilst on the plane. Hope its robust enough !! My garmin broke twice before I moved it up the transom - and lost higher speed function

Cheers & thanks
Jeff

[falcon0310]

have look on ebay think there dealer in east cost thats the cheapest bought hd5 cheap

[Nos4r2]

Can't the sidescan transducer be mounted in-hull?