Upgrading from Lowrance HDS 7 Gen 2

[Big One]

Hi all, 

 

I'm looking to upgrade my current units and have a few questions around compatibility.

 

For Context: 

1. I have two Gen 2 HDS 7 Lowrance units (one at console and one at bow)
   • Sharing a link for reference: Lowrance HDS 7 Gen 2 Fishfinder | eBay
2. I would like to upgrade both screens to a newer and larger version (Elite 2)
3. I'm also considering buying a Livescope unit

 

Questions: 

1. Since the boat is already wired for Lowrance units, will I need to have this rewired for the newer units or could I simply plug and play? 
2. If the new units require the new transducer how difficult is it to self-install this? 
3. I'm pretty sure the answer is no, but just want to confirm before I make any purchases - do I need to buy the head unit transducer or fine to just run the LVS34 and use the Lowrance units for maps/side/sonar?
4. Lastly, anyone interested in buying these old Lowrance units? I'd be open to letting them go at a significant discount!

 

Thanks and fish on! 

 

- Big One

[casts_by_fly]

HDs and elite share the same plug type with the hexagonal shape and threads.  The lower end models are a push fit.  Your plugs should work fine but you'll need to check when you get them.  Depending on condition and wire gauge, its probably better to just run the new cables.  You're getting them with the head unit anyway.

 

I would put in a new transducer.  Technology has come a LONG way since that unit.  The elites are nice units and have a great picture but not with a transducer that is that old.

 

LVS34 needs to be hooked up to a head unit/network.  Presumably you have one at the bow and one at the console now that you're swapping to new.  You need a black box to run the transducer into and then another wire back out to the head unit.  At that point, you'd do the same for the other head unit and transducer.  Then you have a full network.  All transducers, waypoints, and views will share between all head units.

 

no

[gim]

Isn't LVS34 a Garmin Livescope transducer?  I am not aware that you can use that with any Lowance graph.

 

If you have already been using Lowrance, why wouldn't you just upgrade to Active Target 2?  The difference between the two is negiligible.

[casts_by_fly]

4 hours ago, gim said:

Isn't LVS34 a Garmin Livescope transducer?  I am not aware that you can use that with any Lowance graph.

 

If you have already been using Lowrance, why wouldn't you just upgrade to Active Target 2?  The difference between the two is negiligible.

good catch. Same advice about a black box and networking. 

[Big One]

Thanks both for the responses. 

 

To answer your question GIM, yes LVS34 is a Garmin Transducer, and I was planning on pairing it with the 93sv head unit (no transducer) for Livescope purposes only. I haven't personally used Active Target 2 but have watched a few videos and seen not so great reviews compared to Garmin. 

 

So, the final set up would be two Lowrance Elite units to replace the bow and console. Then an additional Garmin unit up front for Livescope. 

Another thing that popped up while doing year end maintenance: Anytime I would crank the motor I would have a constant beep from the dash every 2 minutes. It's a Merc Optimax 2 stroke and read online it's typically due to the main oil reserve float going bad. I had the shop replace it and still having the same alarm. They said the computer needs to be sent to a shop in CA that specializes in this field. Anyone ever heard of this or know what it could be related to? 

 

I have read many threads and all seem to fix the problem with a new oil main tank so not sure what else it could be. Of course I trust the experts, just wondering if anyone is familiar with this as I have found no threads on it.  

[gim]

7 hours ago, Big One said:

I haven't personally used Active Target 2 but have watched a few videos and seen not so great reviews compared to Garmin. 

I’ve seen both used in person. My parents have Active Target 2 in their boat.

 

The difference is negligible.

 

Don’t judge a book by its cover.

[casts_by_fly]

I wouldn’t add a garmin unit up front just for livescope. If you really want a dedicated livescope head unit, then I’d go lowrance so everything was integrated.  If you can live with just a single unit up front, I’d upgrade the lowrance from an elite to an hds pro.  Then you don’t need the black box ($$ savings).  You’ve saved a head unit ($$).  You have a less cluttered bow.  A garmin lvs34 bundle with a black box and 93sv is about $2700. An elite 9” is $1k. Put that together and you get an hds pro 10” for $2800 and an at2 transducer ($1k) for the same price more or less. You get a better and bigger head unit and less clutter.  

[rangerjockey]

I think those gen 2's have the best down imaging. Maybe it's just mine but i have gen 3's and live also and the 2's fish ID is really good, which is why I've never replaced it. 

 

[casts_by_fly]

8 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

I think those gen 2's have the best down imaging. Maybe it's just mine but i have gen 3's and live also and the 2's fish ID is really good, which is why I've never replaced it. 

 

have you tried turning down the frequency from 1000 or 800khz down to 233 or 400 whichever the gen 2 uses?  There is a noticeable difference between mega type frequencies and older lower frequencies. Mega gives you more fine detail (fine line) but the lower frequencies have more of a ‘flooded’ picture. 

[rangerjockey]

When you say Mega it sounds like you are talking about Humminbird ?

I was referring to the gen 2 HDS.

[casts_by_fly]

7 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

When you say Mega it sounds like you are talking about Humminbird ?

I was referring to the gen 2 HDS.

Yes and no. I use hbird myself but I’m using mega in this context for convenience to mean 1000 mega hertz type frequencies. The hds gen 2 is 200 mhz. The gen 3 are 433/800 mhz.  There is a big difference between what 200 and 800 will show you.

[rangerjockey]

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Yes and no. I use hbird myself but I’m using mega in this context for convenience to mean 1000 mega hertz type frequencies. The hds gen 2 i s 200 mhz. The gen 3 are 433/800 mhz.  There is a big difference between what 200 and 800 will show you.

I remember seeing an interview with Matt Robertson talking about electronics on Kentucky Lake.

He also talked about the DI on the gen 2 be special and that he thought it was particular to the 8 inch screen which happens to be the one I use. 

Maybe we are both wrong but I'm keeping mine until it quits.