Beginner Electronics Help

[Scherbacj]

I just got my first boat and it came with a Lowrance Elite FS7 at the console. I am trying to decide if I should just get a HDS Pro 10” for the bow with the AIHD 3-in-1 Transducer and then network it to the Elite FS? I found a good deal on the HDS Pro 10 with Transducer so that seems like the easiest way to get started. 
 

Or, since the Elite FS didn’t come with a transducer, should I just go ahead and switch to Garmin or Hummingbird now before I invest more and gets harder to switch. I live and fish in Arizona and haven’t been able to find out if Lakemaster or C-Map or Navionics has the best lake maps for my region? 
 

what would you all do? 

[Scherbacj]

Also, if I hook the transducer to the HDS Pro will I be able to network it to the Elite FS without the S3100 module? Or do I still need that for the HD Tranducer to work on the Elite FS? 

[casts_by_fly]

Are you thinking about adding live imaging?  If yes, just go to garmin from the start. If no ffs ever, go straight to humminbird. 

[Scherbacj]

I will add FFS at some point, but not right away. Is Garmins FFS that much better that it’s the only way to go? And what is more comparable to the HDS Pro, the Echomap Ultra, Echomap Ultra 2, or GPSmap 1243XSV? I’m trying to keep my initial sonar setup around $3,500 for now. That’s 2D, DI, SI for now, FFS would come later. Also, are the Garmin units easy to use for newbie? 
 

I would consider doing the Lowrance for now and then when I add FFS just add a Garmin screen just for that, but read a few instances where the Garmins transducer interfered with the Lowrance. 

[JayMac89]

I fish from a yak. I just got a garmin echomap 93sv. First electronics ever. Only had it for a 2 months now, maybe a tad less. 

 

I can't speak on most of what your asking. But I can say the garmin is easy to use/learn. Granted, I watched a few videos before hand to get a feel for what I was potentially buying. But I had the thing figured out enough to use almost instantly. Had it figured out enough to really start using it to its full capacity in a trip or two. 

[DaubsNU1]

I've had Garmin Echomap and my brother had Humminbird Helix. When I got my new boat, I went with H-Bird Helix 9's, networked. Side and down imaging is much better than the Echomap. 

 

If I ever add FFS, then I will add a separate screen and go Garmin. 

 

Note: I have never fished Lowrance.

[gim]

Lowrance makes their own version of live sonar called active target. It’s very similar in nature to Garmin livescope.

 

My understanding is that the HDS series cannot be networked with the Elite series. The HDS series is more advanced, and the HDS Pro even more so.

 

HDS Carbon, HDS Live, and Elite FS are all compatible with active target.

[Scherbacj]

Everything I read says they can be networked together, but it isn’t clear if I would still need the S3100. The only I have heard about problems with is the HDS Gen 2 causing the Elite FS to go into “Legacy” mode. But this isn’t a HDS Gen 2. 
 

I worry about switching to Hummingbird because I’ve heard the user interface and settings are rough for beginners. Going with the HDS Pro is the fastest and cheapest way to get started, but if I end up having to buy the S3100 module anyways then not so much. I can get into a 9” & 12” Garmin GPSmap combo for around $4,000 right now, which isn’t bad, but a lot more than $1,500 for the HDS Pro to use with the existing Elite FS. 

I’m sure all of them are sufficient for my uses, I just know in my other hobbies, Buy Once Cry Once has usually worked out the best so I would rather switch now if that’s what is better in the end. 

[gim]

Honestly it isn't long before new units come out with new technology, and older units seemingly become obselete.  I've upgraded units 3 times since I bought my boat in 2015, most recently in 2021, and I feel like I'm pretty much out of the game in terms of technology.  But I can't afford to upgrade every other year, nor do I have the desire or will power.

 

My parents use HDS Live and HDS Pro units on their tournament walleye rig.  They have only had the pro unit for this season but its already leaps and bounds ahead of the 2 year old Live units.  If it were me I'd go with the pro unit at this point and then burn the next bridge when the time comes.

[rangerjockey]

I've had most of them on one boat or the other. Personally, I like Lowrance the best. 

I have HDS gen 2, HDS, gen 3's and HDS live w/AT2 .

The HDS touch screen is very intuitive .

I do think my Humminbird had  the best DI and the lakemaster mapping is great. 

[casts_by_fly]

Sorry I missed the lowrance unit on the front already. In that case if you like it then stick to lowrance. Lowrance ffs is close to garmin. If you were starting from scratch then I would put garmin on top for ffs, humminbird for non ffs imaging. And humminbird offers 360. But the ffs for hummingbird is not as good as the others. 

[Capt Ed]

If I understand correctly, the Elite FS 7 on your bow does not have a transducer?  So if you network it with HDS Pro 10", you'll only get sonar when the trolling motor is in the water.  

 

I agree the GPSMap units are generally superior to the Echomap units but at a much higher price point.  The Echomap's are more than ample for freshwater fishing.

 

Cheapest option is to buy a transducer for your console unit and mount it on your transom.  Then buy one of the Echomap Ultra 12" units that are on sale now for $1499.97 at Bass Pro Shops or an Echomap Ultra 10" unit that's $999.97 for the bow.  Both units have 2 network ports making networking easier if you add a Garmin to the console.  You'll have less than $2000 invested, time to research and figure out what your final solution is.

 

Middle of the road recommendation is to go ahead and get the best, IMO, livescope units available today, the Garmin LVS 34 Plus and one of the two Echomap units for the bow.  You'll be comfortably under $4000.  And if there are new technologies coming out in the future, I doubt if any of the current models will be compatible.

 

While the Echomap units are prior generation models, the only difference is the older model has a GT54 UHD transducer and the newest model has the GT56HD transducer.  The GT56UHD transducer is much larger than the GT54 and some folks have had difficulty mounting it on their trolling motor.  I have the GT54 and with no complaints.