Electronics Help And Troubleshooting

[Football Head]

Thanks for the info Troy. Appreciate it.

[Troy Gregg]

your welcome Football Head

[mixermarkb]

Dumb question that I could read the answer to in the manuals I'm sure, but if 2 hds units are networked can you share the card data between them? What are the advantages to networking units?

[ozarksfishin]

Yes mixermark, you can share card data between the two units. You can also mark a waypoint from the unit on the bow (say you come over a brushpile while fishing) and it gets saved to the unit on the dash as well (if they are networked)

[Troy Gregg]

Dumb question that I could read the answer to in the manuals I'm sure, but if 2 hds units are networked can you share the card data between them? What are the advantages to networking units?

Mixermarkb, there are no dumb questions with sonar/chartplotter units these things will do a million different things if you know how to make them do it. Now having two HDS units networked together will share waypoints, trails, and data from both sonar and structure scan across the whole system. THese are the benefits to networking the units together. This allows you to view all of the information available to you at which ever you are looking at. With a few tweaks of the settings you can have these things doing about anything you want.

Now as far as card data, I.E. maps, screenshots and anything else that might be saved to a SD card is localized to the unit that the card is in. If you are trying to share a map between two units, it can't be done.

Phillip, not meaning to step on your toes, just had to clarify, as always its good to hear from you

[Troy Gregg]

Dumb question that I could read the answer to in the manuals I'm sure, but if 2 hds units are networked can you share the card data between them? What are the advantages to networking units?

p.s. the manuals are for basic operation they fail to explain the finer workings of the units or get really confusing when trying to do so

[Ultralance12]

I have been looking for someone to help me get a grasp on what I have and what I want/need so I appreciate you taking the time to help some of us newbies out. I purchased my first boat last april and have been using the electronics that were already on it (it is a Nitro 591, 2007/8). I have a Lowrance LMS-480 on the dash with GPS and a Lowrance X-135 on the bow (they are not networked if they even can be). The units are both a little old compared to some of the stuff I have been researching but the 480 on the dash actually seems to have pretty good resolution and I can generally tell whats going on down there. My first problem is that the unit on the bow SUCKS. I mean it is basically a fancy depth finder/thermometer and generally doesn't show anything. I will pick up my trolling motor (transducer is on motor) and turn on the dash unit and where the bow unit showed nothing, the dash unit shows all kinds of fish. I don't know if I am up against a bad transducer, bad transducer mounting, bad settings (I have played with them a lot so I don't think it is that) or just a bad model of finder. If there was an inexpensive way to make what shows up on my dash show up on my bow I could get by for another year while I'm learning.

I have also begun researching what I want to get in the future. I have contemplated just getting a new bow unit and using the dash unit as is (with its GPS). I don't have a great need for waypoints or GPS in general as I usually fish waters I am very familiar with and if I venture out to far, I could technically do with a map but the mapping software seems to be tied to GPS. Part of me wants structure mapping and side scan and all of the fancy stuff they try and sell you on with their websites but I really don't know how much it would help a beginner like me. So far, I have kind of settled on a wish list of getting an HDS-5 on the dash and networking it to a less expensive (but still able to use all the networked functions) unit on the bow. Then only having one transducer on the stern (and removing the trolling motor transducer). I don't mind spending a little money but my total budget on this is probably around $1500. I do not tournament fish or take my boat to other lakes. My knowledge right now is basically limited to what you can find out by going to the Garmin and Lowrance websites as I do not know anyone that is versed in these and didn't have any luck finding a knowledgable person at BPS in Tulsa. Any help is appreciated and I will probably keep bugging you until you are tired of answering my questions. I will however come buy from you when the time comes (if you get any kind of commission).

[Troy Gregg]

Ultralance,

First off for their time both units you have were good units, the X-135 at 4000 watts can pick up anything you wish (if its working right). It could be the transducer has gone bad or something along those lines. If it is the transducer $75 dollars will get you going, but it could be the settings. Have you restored the unit to factory defaults and tried from there? max your ping speed out and play with the sensitivity to get the best picture. Sensitivity depends alot on the depth of water you are fishing. If you are picking up interference from you trolling motor usually a piece of foam or plastic buffer under your hose clamp will help, or a heavy heavy duty zip tie will act like a hose clamp. Just a few tips and tricks to try for anybody that has interference.

Now as far as the new units, HDS is a good way to go for networking capabilities which sounds like what you want. You can get a HDS 5 for the console and a HDS 5x upfront, the 5x is without GPS. $1500 gives you a nice budget and alot of options, just depends on whats most important to you. From what you have told me, I would stick with two units and hold off on the structure scan, you can always add it to the system later when you feel comfortable. The side scan throws a new angle into the mix and provides a greater learning curve, it can be difficult to understand at first glance and takes time to wrap your head around what your seeing. Once you get that under control its priceless.

[Ultralance12]

Thanks Troy! I'm pretty sure I tried factory defaults and then readjusted my settings but I'll have to try again to make sure. I don't think I have tried putting my ping speed up all the way but maybe that will help. I can see the bottom contour fine and the occasional oddball fish (so I'm not thinking its interference) but when I turn on the other one I can see so so much more. The main reason I wanted networking is so I can have them on at the same time. It took me a while to figure out, but when I have them both on they pick up each others pings and black vertical lines show up on my screen. I think I will buy a transducer, play with the settings for a bit before installing the new transducer, and then install the new transducer if needed. This will keep me running through the winter at least.

[Troy Gregg]

Ultralance, when you run them simultaneously you will pick up the other ones frequencies a trick is to set one at 83 and the other at 200 khz, you will get a clearer picture and the one on 83 will show you more fish... however if you get shallow the 83 will give you lines again as it is a slower stronger signal.