Lowrance carbon 12 vs HDS live 7 HELP

[Seth Albritton]

Which unit should I get and why?

 

Carbon 12 is like 1500 and the HDS live 7 is  1100.

 

I have the 3D structure module and the active target or the live scan sonar too. That’s the two things I want to be able to do From my understanding the carbon will do both of these things. I’m leaning towards the carbon because I can actually get a screen that I can see what I’m doing. 

 

WHy should I get the the HDS 7 Live. What will it do that the carbon wont do. ANyone who has these models that doing what I’m trying to do, I would love to hear from you. Thanks for your time and information too

[gim]

Seth, it is my understanding that the HDS Live and Carbon units are both compatible with the newest transducers.  However, the live units are newer and have faster processors than the carbons because they are the newest ones available.

 

I don't own a live unit, I own a carbon unit.  So I can't personally comment on the direct comparison between the two from personal experience.  I'm only indicating what the difference is on the box.

[Seth Albritton]

4 hours ago, gimruis said:

Seth, it is my understanding that the HDS Live and Carbon units are both compatible with the newest transducers.  However, the live units are newer and have faster processors than the carbons because they are the newest ones available.

 

I don't own a live unit, I own a carbon unit.  So I can't personally comment on the direct comparison between the two from personal experience.  I'm only indicating what the difference is on the box.

Do you have a problem with the speed of the carbon while using active target(live scope) or a problem with speed when using the 3D structure module?

 

I saw a video of a guy using 3D structure. He drove over a fishing area with his 3D structure on and made a 3D structure map of that fishing area. Is that possible with the carbon?

 

I know they say live scope is better, but do you still find it useful?

 

Am I right to say that the seven inch screens are too small and that having the carbon 12 inch screen utilize active target and 3D structure to its full potential. Or is 7 inches big enough.

 

thanks for you help. The way things are worded on the lowrance site is more complicated than I’ve wanted it to be. Sorry for all the questions too, but this stuff is expensive. If there is something I’m not thinking about, let me know.

[gim]

I don’t have livescope or active imaging with my carbon unit so I can’t comment on it. My transducer isn’t compatible with it. I believe carbons are compatible with 3D structure scan but you need the module.

 

Part of the reason I only have a 7 inch screen is that I have it flush mounted into my console and I can’t go any bigger than that without a specialized bracket. I bought the unit 2 years ago on clearance for about half off when the live units came on the market.

[K1500]

I have the 7” HDS Live and can comment on the screen size (I don’t do live scope). Mine is mounted on the windshield area of a bay boat and I typically have it set to a split screen of the lake map and sonar. If I am doing a lot of sonar work, I will switch it to full screen.
 

My opinion is anything more than split screen and the 7” screen is too small. I am sure a larger screen would be nice, but I am happy with the 7”. Some of the map symbols with a navionics chip are hard to read, but that is more due to me not wearing bifocals when needed. 
 

I believe the 7” Live comes with a transducer and is a dual core processor while the larger versions are quad core and do not come with a transducer, but I would double check this before relying on it. I don’t notice any lag or delay, but I am confident I am not getting the most out of my finder, as I am still kind of a novice when it comes to electronics.