HDS-10 or HDS-8 with Structure Scan

[Way2slow]

Who has one and what do you think about it? 

I'm debateing between the -8 and -10 and wouldn't mind saving $500 with the -8 if the screen gives all the info you want.  However, I don't want to shoot myself in the foot and wish I had gotten the -10 once I started using the -8. 

Prefer just those that have actual experience with the either of the two. 

[Under the Radar]

W2S, how biga boat is it going on. I'd love to have the ten, but realistically the 8 would workout better on my stratos 176 XT.  "Space" would be my deciding factor since I can afford either one. Sometimes bigger is not always better. I've learned the hard way.

Nick

[Way2slow]

Going on a 20ft Bass boat. 

Yea, if I go with the 10 it's going to look like a big screen TV hanging on a RAM mount.  I figure the wind drag will probably slow me down at least 10mph. Because of the size of the 10 is one of the main reason for considering the 8.

[R520dvx]

We have an 8 at the console and a 7 up front with Structure Scan .... I haven't  been sorry bout the 8. Good size screen, still can split the screen 4 ways, and has the soft keys. Sure the 10 is cool, but we like our 8

[Jig Man]

I have an 8 on my Champion.  I for sure wouldn't want anything  bigger.  I fished with a guy who was using 2 of the biggest birds.  It was over kill.

[Fishing Rhino]

Going on a 20ft Bass boat.

Yea, if I go with the 10 it's going to look like a big screen TV hanging on a RAM mount. I figure the wind drag will probably slow me down at least 10mph. Because of the size of the 10 is one of the main reason for considering the 8.

Put a spring loaded mount on it.  One that will lay down at about 50 mph.  That will reduce the drag to nearly zero, and it will pop back up when the speed drops below 45.

Be sure to get one of the better mounts.  The cheapo units will have your sonar flapping lock a chatterbait. 

;D

[Dwight Hottle]

I have the HDS-10 mounted on a 20' boat. It is attached on a ram mount. The size of the 10 is like a big screen TV, once you get used to it you never go back. I like mine , run it on split screen gps track/sounder most of the time. The bottom of the unit actually rests on the top of the dash which helps stablize it.

[Todd Driscoll]

Solely a personal choice between the larger screen and the additional cost.  Functionally, there are no differences between the HDS 8 and 10.  With that said, these marine units are no different than TV sets - go as big as you can afford or you will regret it later on.  Personally, I have two HDS 10s on my 21' bass boat and absolutely love them - no such thing as too big.

As was mentioned before, I strongly recommend mounting the 8s and 10s with the heavy duty RAM mount (2.25-inch ball mount).

[progator123]

We have an 8 at the console and a 7 up front with Structure Scan .... I haven't been sorry bout the 8. Good size screen, still can split the screen 4 ways, and has the soft keys. Sure the 10 is cool, but we like our 8

Can you view the structure scan on your 8 with both units linked together.

[Todd Driscoll]

StructureScan can be viewed on multiple units simultaneously if they are linked with Ethernet (yellow) cables.

[Way2slow]

Well, it all shipped a little while ago. The HDS-10, HDS-7 for bow, HDS-5 for center of console, Structure Scan unit, all necessary interfaces to network and mounts, plus Navionics Platnum+ Module for my region. Should be here tomorrow, along with the Minn-Kota, Terrova 80/us2/i-pilot trolling motor. I've never used a Kota Bow mount, so this is a first for me. Been MG all my life.

Now, if I can get it all installed to use it this weekend.

I've been holding off on upgrading for a while, but figured I had just as well go ahead and do it.  Maybe this will get me back in the mood to fish again.

[scrutch]

Well, it all shipped a little while ago. The HDS-10, HDS-7 for bow, HDS-5 for center of console, Structure Scan unit, all necessary interfaces to network and mounts, plus Navionics Platnum+ Module for my region. Should be here tomorrow, along with the Minn-Kota, Terrova 80/us2/i-pilot trolling motor. I've never used a Kota Bow mount, so this is a first for me. Been MG all my life.

Now, if I can get it all installed to use it this weekend.

I've been holding off on upgrading for a while, but figured I had just as well go ahead and do it. Maybe this will get me back in the mood to fish again.

Wow, do you own a bank?  Nice.  There's a real nice house for sale right next door to me.  I bet I can get my neighbor to make you a great deal!  (He doesn't know he's moving out yet)  ;D

[Long Mike]

W2S, you are gonna love that Terrova.  I have the same unit.  As for the HDS of any size, I'm saving my pennies.  I've found that being a 64-year-old male prostitute doesn't pay very well.   ;D

[R520dvx]

We have an 8 at the console and a 7 up front with Structure Scan .... I haven't been sorry bout the 8. Good size screen, still can split the screen 4 ways, and has the soft keys. Sure the 10 is cool, but we like our 8

Can you view the structure scan on your 8 with both units linked together.

Yes they are linked .... we can view SS on both units as well as share

[Way2slow]

LM, I hope so.  I liked the i-pilot feature if it works like they claim.  I do a lot of deep water structure fishing and keeping the boat where I want it in the wind can be a pain.  Actually, that's the main reason I went with the MK this time.

I tried that occupation when I retired from the AF, but my wife was the only customer she would let me have.   Once a month and she didn't pay very much, I had to go get a real job.

[Way2slow]

Next day shipping??  I should have asked their definition of that term.   A big honking box with one very heavy TM showed up today but no sign of all the Lowrance stuff.  I checked my email and had an order confirmation but no tracking number.  I called the company I ordered that stuff from and they have not even shipped it.  They said it takes 2 - 3 days when an item is "out of stock" to ship.  Which they failed to mention that at the time of the order.  I asked what happened to the "next day" and she said, "it will be shipped next day".  That's after they finally decide to ship it.   She did refund my next day charges and said they would pay all shipping and assured me it would be here saturday.  I had to postphone that to tuesday since no one was going to be here over the weekend and holiday.

Oh! how close I came to telling her what she could do with the whole order.  Her saving grace was I had something come up that was going to make it impossible for me to try it out this weekend anyway.

[Way2slow]

Question for those that have them installed and networked. I've got the HDS-7 on the bow and using the built-in Minn-Kota transducer. I have the HDS-10 at the console with the X-ducer on the rear with the structure scan X-ducer within eight inches of it. (still waiting on the HDS-5). I'm assuming the trying to use the HDS-7 with the structure scan is going to pretty much be useless, since the book says the X-ducers have to be less than one foot apart and these a 20ft apart.

It looks like I can change the 7's image to show what the 10's is displaying, which would give me a good picture with the structure scan at the bow when I wanted it. I installed Navionics Platnum HotMaps in both so I could use them independtly but didn't know until I was installing them the structure scan X-ducer could be no more than one foot away from the sonars X-ducer. 

[Wayne P.]

The purpose of having the 2D transducer close to the Structure Scan transducer is for the overlay feature to work correctly. The guys I know with that system don't use that feature except for curiosity. Here is an example of the overlay of a bridge at Lake Fork.

[fishfordollars]

I would like your comments after everything is up and running and you have a little time with it. Getting ready to make the investment and would like your feedback.

[Todd Driscoll]

Completely agree with Wayne, proximity of both ducers is solely for the downscan/sonar overlay feature to work best.  With overlay, you have the option of turning it on and off.  But, I don't use it.  You get the most information looking at them independently side by side, like the pic Wayne posted. 

[Wayne P.]

ffd, I don't have the Lowrance system, I have Humminbirds. I get exposure to the Lowrance stuff by exchanging operational information with a few Lowrance owners as we compare results.