Anyone using this feature? If so what’s the ■■■■■■■■ and is it worth the extra cost?
He must Increase,but I must decrease. John 3:30
I have the HDS10 Gen 2 w/ sidescan & like it.
Still figuring it out.
Go to a forum called Bass Boat Central and click on the forum about “Lowrance Image Interpretations”.
There are good discussion threads on the HDS series with “image interpretations / screen shots”.
Theses have helped me. 
I got the HDS 7 touch back in October because the unit that came with my boat (got it used) had a big burn in the middle of the screen image. I can tell you this, I am not at all happy with the unit. I purchased the unit because I thought I might start fishing deeper water and the side scan/down imaging might come in handy. I haven’t really started doing that yet. If you are fishing shallow water it’s not going to do much for you. It’s nice to look at and see stuff on the bottom when I’m cruising around and just checking stuff out. I’m still learning the unit also though. I like the unit layout, the touch system works great, it has excellent features, but I constantly lose bottom at speed. And sometimes I lose bottom just tooling around and the unit will not get it back without turning it off then back on. I contacted Lowrance about this months ago and they gave me some suggestions but lately they just say a firmware update is coming out that will fix my issue. I’m still waiting!
First let me be clear, the unit I took off the boat was a Lowrance. When I had the unit installed the puck was put in the exact same spot as the old transducer that NEVER lost the bottom. I started having the problems I described immediately. I contacted Lowrance and they said mount the ducer inside the hull and I would NEVER lose bottom. I contacted Action Craft and found out I would have to scrape away part of my hull and the liner to mount the puck inside the bilge. I wasn’t comfortable doing that so I took the boat to a well known local shop. I’m not saying who because I don’t want anyone to think that they didn’t do a good job… they treated me very well no doubt. Anyway, they put in a thru hull Airmar transducer that Lowrance recommended and guess what… the problem still exists, and actually got worse! I contacted Lowrance again and sent them a video showing what was happening and that’s when they told me to stand by for a firmware update. That was a couple months ago.
I can’t say if I have a bad unit, my bo
FWIW, I have the HDS TOUCH 7 on a Hewes. Only about 20 hrs so far on the boat- from slow troll with the TM using side scan, to crossing the harbor in chop at 35-39 mph. I have yet to lose bottom once! Actually I was most impressed with that particular characteristic early on since I had bottom holding issues with my Garmin 3210 ( until a thru hull transducer was installed). I run in 2 ft of water across Folly River/ Stono Inlet bars and keeps bottom fine.
Hopefully you’ll get the details worked out. I do need to download the new software however. and the app the lets my iPhone/iPad be a second screen.
Well now I feel even worse! I’ve been thinking it’s just me because I don’t see anything on the internets about the issue I’m having and touch units. stickman, I’m going to pm you as not to hijack this thread.
2004 Action Craft 1820
Flats Master SE
I don’t know what unit you’re looking to purchase but check out this link.
Hopefully the firmware update coming next week solves my issues… or the ones I have with my Lowrance anyway 
I can’t wait to ask them about the $400 I’m out for buying a new transducer and cutting a hole in my hull because they said that would fix my problem when maybe now it’s just a software issue.
2004 Action Craft 1820
Flats Master SE
FWIW, a few tourney fresh h20 guys told me the side scan was way overrated, same for Hummingbird.
They really praise the lowrance other than that.
Downscan they gave high reviews on, just not sold on the sides can.
Ive had side scan humminbird and structure scan from lowrance, both are great for what they were designed to do…Ill start by saying if you have never spent much time using a generic sonar for fishing deep water then simply purchasing a side scan unit WILL NOT make you a better deep water angler. It is simply another tool in your arsenal for fishing, I would take an educated guess that majority of people are disappointed with side scan technology because they think that as soon as they lay down 2-4k for an sonar unit that it should immediately make them a better fisherman. That is simply not the case and i hate to disappoint those who did this very thing…However, with the proper time and effort put into learning how to use, adjust, understand, and interpret sidescan sonar or even “generic sonar” for that matter. it can decrease the time you spend looking for deep water structure. Notice i did not say it will make you a better fisherman, it is simply a tool to decrease the time it takes to find new structure, it does also allow for easier image interpretation for those who have trouble reading standard 2D sonar images. I know others will argue but in my opinion, most of the weekend anglers will not benefit more from side scan/down scan than they would from just learning how to properly read and adjust a standard sonar/fish finder. Once that is accomplished, a side scan sonar would be a great addition for someone who wants to broaden their horizon.
I have the HDS5 with SS1.
I originally bought it to map the bottom of my lake, and it did a great job. Although the SS1 was not necessary to map the bottom, it did help to identify the srtucture I saw. In a lake with a trolling motor is the best way to learn the unit. The SS1 is like looking at TV instead of animation.
Eventually mounted it on my 17 foot CC that I use in the creeks. The transducer, mounted in the same location as my previous Lowrance has a lot more interference at any speed (separate batteries from the Merc) and it maybe because of increased sensitivity. Unfortunately I can’t damp it down enough. Since I typically fish the banks, oyster beds, feeder creeks and docks the downscan is not very useful, and the sidescan is not impressive. I am sure offshore it would be a big help to find structure.
I am actually thinking about putting my old lowrance back on the CC and use the HDS/SS1 on my lake. What I would really like to do is to get the newer generation for the lake boat, but the wife doesn’t agree!
17 Trophy-Merc 90
The Doctor Sonar dvd series is well worth the $ for the Lowrance HDS units. In particular I like the way he takes a piece of paper and folds it up to show you how the down/side scan picture is displaying, makes it very easy to understand. Also the track back feature is nice. I didn’t even get my HDS unit yet, picking up new boat on Saturday but I’ve watched the two dvd’s several times.
http://www.doctorsonar.com/store/dvd.html
This one goes over basic set up and features:
http://www.doctorsonar.com/store/dvd_lowhds.html
This one goes goes into detail on Structure Scan and down scan:
Ran 37 mph down the kiawah river today in a windy light chop. Did not lose bottom on either conventional or structurescan for the LR HDS TOUCH 7.
Minn Kota has come out with some amazing new technology. The I pilot link will be shipping on the 10th. Link is available now as an addon to newer minn Kota auto pilot models. Go to Minn Kota website and check it out. To use all the features, you will need one of the high end Humminbird navigation units.
I have the Humminbird 998c he side/down scan ordered for my new skiff along with the riptide st 80 I-pilot link. This will let you control your trolling moter from the naviation unit. Very handy for picking recorded tracks, holding over structure and many more things.
Once lakemasters get their chart for SC, you will be able to set your trolling motor to cruise contour of bank on auto pilot. I called Lakemasters and they said they are working on a SC chart and should be available next year.
Joe
03 240 Cobalt
09 Scout 191 Bay