HDS Gen3 Sidescan Issues

[bassinyea]

I am having some issues with my sidescan/downscan on my HDS Gen3 and I just can't seem to get to the bottom of it.  Whenever I am running side scan I get horizontal interference lines looking out to the left side.  I have looked over and over and there does not seem to be anything obstructing the transducers view looking left.  I have a jackplate and even when the engine is trimmed all the way down it is not in the way.  The downscan image appears the same way.  This only occurs on the 455 setting, when on 800 it does not happen.  I know that the 455 shoots farther out to the side and has a wider beam so I keep thinking it could be hitting something.  Funny thing is that once you begin to move forward a lot of the horizontal lines in the image go away.  It only appears like this when sitting still.  Any of you guys with Lowrance units experience anything like this?

[Wayne P.]

Post a screen shot of the lines and a picture of your transducer installation.

I suspect you see less or no lines due to the transducer not having water contact. Your transducer is submerged when sitting still or moving slowly.

 

It has nothing to do with which brand, it's the sonar technology and its installation.

 

[eddallen]

You may be scanning further on 455 but to what sacrafice? I prefer 800 kHz just because the picture is cleaner and targets more visible. Besides, why the need to see more than about 125' to each side when your casting?

When you are in your driveway, does the SS have the same results? This seems more of an 'interference' problem to me. Pinched xdcr cable, bad cable, too close to main power cable, maybe even a bad xdcr.

You could also try shutting everything down in the middle of the lake then turn on ONLY sonar and view SS to see what it looks like. If no lines at this point, start turning ON each piece of equipment and checking the screen one at a time. Lastly, turn ON the TM then the OB. If the problem is still there, try to borrow a transducer to check against.

[bassinyea]

I am pretty sure it is not a bad transducer because I think it would be having the problems all the time.  I took a look today and made a change I will get to test out this week.  I cut out a piece of Delrin to use as a spacer for the transducer.  This sets the transducer about 1/2 inch farther back off the back of the transom.  If it is the wing nut from the plug this should have taken care of the problem.  Will know this wednesday and report back.  

 

Thanks for the help so far...