This Seeems Difficult To Refuse; Need Quick Advice

[rps]

As I posted earlier, I have been looking to upgrade my electronics. I have been looking at larger units and tandem 7 to 8 inch units.

Tackle Warehouse has a 20% off Black Friday sale that ends at midnight. They also have a Lowrance Gen2 HDS-10 InsightUSA/StructureScan HD Bundle on sale for $1999.88. After the extra discount the total (no tax and free shipping) will be $1599.90. Really?

What do you think?

[Feathers and Fins]

Do it or you will regret it

[Dutch]

That is the best price that I have seen on one of those. If you have a payback credit card then it would be even better. I say go for it.

[J-Doc]

Only if you plan on using a graph and side scan to locate bait and structure. The quality of the sonar alone is better than lesser sonar. BUT only if you know what you're looking at and rely on your electronics. If you do, this is a good deal. My guess is that they will continue to go down in price as the touch screen units are pushed. That may be end of next summer or by early spring at the earliest. If a new "Gen3" comes out, the gen 2 stuff will start dropping off in price.

I'd say go for it if you plan on fully utilizing it. I can help. I have that unit. I've learned a lot about it.

[rps]

I did it. The HBird will be moving forward to the trolling motor and this beast will be mounted where I can see it as I troll and explore. Scott and Jason, I haven't had a Lowrance in a decade. I will need you help to set it up and learn it.

[J-Doc]

I'm available. :-)

[J-Doc]

Didn't know you had a bird. Could have gotten another bird and networked them. Probably same price range. No big deal if it's too late. No real major loss I guess.

[rps]

When I posted earlier about upgrading, I included some background information. When I fish from my front deck, I am either throwing a top water, wart, a jig, or I am jigging a spoon. These tasks require accurate and powerful sonar and little else. Especially since 95% of the time I am fishing an area I have spent 12 years learnng. My small bird up front currently uses the universal transducer in my MinnKota and goes crazy every time I hit the motor power button.

When I troll with either the big motor or the trolling motor, I do so from the rear of the boat. I do my exploring while seated there as well. That is the unit that needs to have screen room for sonar, down scan, and side scan. In addition, I want to change the unit position and availability for adjustment.

The advantages of networking under those circumstances seem minimal to me. I had looked long and hard at a Garmin twin set arrangement using two of their echoMap 70dv units plus their side vu module and transducer. The best prices I have found for that arrangement (Universalmania, and the GPSstore) would have totaled 2100 to 2200 dollars. With those units I would have acquired units with chirp capability and vast screen space. However, I really want the change to stay under $2000, including the mounting costs.

HB makes good units, but their proprietary screen set up wastes area for their left side information bar. A 7 is more like a 6 really. Still, I had considered linking my current unit with a upgraded twin, but that left me still in need of doing something up front.

That partially explains my convoluted thinking on the subject.

Now watch, the super cool latest bightest and bestest must have will be announced this next week.

[Feathers and Fins]

I did it. The HBird will be moving forward to the trolling motor and this beast will be mounted where I can see it as I troll and explore. Scott and Jason, I haven't had a Lowrance in a decade. I will need you help to set it up and learn it.

Say when, I know where your dock is, its easy to spot there is typically 100 to 200 17'' walleye holding up protest signs around it that say EAT MORE CHIKIN

[Dutch]

When you get the unit, keep it on auto for a while. You may find that is good enough. There are several pallets from which to choose for color on 2d and structure scan.

200 kHz will get you the best pics on 2d. You will have to experiment with ss and find a pallet you like. On ss contrast, range and kHz are about all of the adjustments you will be able to do.

If you take a little trip over to the Lowrance forum at www.bassboatscenral.com you can read all about setting your unit up and there is also a forum on screen shots that will help familiarize you with recognizing some of the stuff you will see as you drive around scanning.

My first 2 days with ss all I did was drive around and look at stuff with ss and my chart along with a good structure map in one hand. It is a whole new world.