hossmagnet
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HDS-5 LOWRANCE
I just purchased the new lowrance with lake insight, and am not sure if i need to buy any of the sd cards or not....I know the maps on the unit do not look anything like the picture on the box. Ive never had any type of mapping unit before. I am just fishing the bay and lakes like pymatuning. Anybody have any suggestions?
Thanks for any info
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woodnickle
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 09:23:26
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I was thinking on that unit too. You,ll have to let me know how that works out.
Does the mapping cover any local lakes?
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Bogeyjoker
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 09:36:50
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Hoss,
If the unit came with a pre-loaded Navionics/Hot Map SD card (doubtful), and the lake you selected isn't showing detail, then either you need to zoom in tighter until the detail shows or you haven't selected the proper map file. Hit <Menu>, select "Map Data" and select the map (usually a portion of a state like "WPA" or "EOH"). My guess, however, is that you haven't installed a detail map card yet.
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hossmagnet
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 10:20:47
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It does bring up contours and depth for most lakes, just not like the picture shows on the box...its supposed to have hotmaps built right into it....i've just never used them before to know what it looks like. Thanks for the replys.
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bulldog1
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 10:48:19
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They changed map vendors, so that may be the reason why it looks different. I have been a fan of Lowrance/Eagle and have two of their units on my boat, but there has been alot of ****in' about the new HDS models specifically about the maps. You should be able to find a thread on this site about them. I too would like to know your experiences with that unit, I'm sure that the bugs will get worked out but I'm not sure they have been yet.
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woodnickle
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 11:03:36
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From what I read about the unit, it can use Hot maps, but comes with lake insight.
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hossmagnet
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 12:27:06
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Thanks guys,
I will takes some pictures tonight and see what you guys think of the maps....
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loaftech
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 14:33:01
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Did you get the unit with insite or without it? they make it both ways, i getting an hds5 for the front and an hds 10 for the bow the structure scan is unreal!
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bulldog1
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 14:46:51
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hossmagnet
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 16:02:03
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Yes it has the lake insight, i havn't had a chance to get it into the water yet...havn't gotten the structure scan. ORIGINAL: loaftech
Did you get the unit with insite or structure scan is unreal!
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woodnickle
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 17:13:50
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Dang dog, after reading that I,m out!
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Fisherlady2
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 18:20:51
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We got the HDS 7 last year and had the same problem with it failing as a few others on the other thread Bulldog posted... and Lowrance wasn't good to work with at all! We finally did get a replacement unit, and it has worked but the whole experience has left a sour taste for Lowrance. Make sure you keep copies of any and all receipts and documentation of ANY communication you have with the company (even names or ID #s of tech or customer support or folks!), you may need it!
Hoss, if you were told it was to have certain features loaded and you can't get them up and running I would be back in contact with the vendor and tech support folks right away, if something is wrong it may take up to 2 MONTHS to get it replaced!!!... though I have to admit it took me a few tries to get used to their menu systems so I could activate the different map chips when we switched areas... Good luck with it, when ours is working it is nice... fingers crossed we don't get stuck for another 2 months this summer w/o it!
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hossmagnet
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 19:22:41
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Heres a picture of Erie Bay, the box says Lake insight includes nearly 5000 freshwater lake maps with life like perspective of bottom structure and topograph. Then it says Coverage includes the great lakes and more than 500 fishing Hotspots pro lakes...
Attached Image(s)
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Bogeyjoker
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 19:42:04
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What happens when you move out to the main lake then? Same thing?
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hossmagnet
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/23 20:59:44
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The main lake does show some contour shading, but not much difference...Is this what the hotspot maps look like? I'm not sure why it shows the green T's...Wonder why it covers the entire bay with T's?
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bulldog1
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/24 08:55:05
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That looks similar to my standard maps on my LCX unit, I'm guessing that you need to select a different map to view. I do use the navionics card and it has more detail than that.
I guess I need to temper the above post. I personally have had nothing but good experiences with Lowrance and their tech support. They even sent me a new transdeucer free, not even shipping charges, for a unit that was no longer under warranty.
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Bogeyjoker
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/24 09:21:33
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Yes, Hoss, I agree with bulldog...My detail on the bay with the standard Navionics Hotmaps Premium 09 card is much more detailed than that (Had to check this morning because I never fish the bay). When I'm bouncing between fishing let's say Chautauqua and Pymatuning or Barcelona Harbor and Walnut creek and I forget to switch to the proper map for the area that I'm fishing...I see precisely what you see for the Bay without the T's. ORIGINAL: hossmagnet
The main lake does show some contour shading, but not much difference...Is this what the hotspot maps look like? I'm not sure why it shows the green T's...Wonder why it covers the entire bay with T's?
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hossmagnet
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/24 09:47:20
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Thanks for the help, probably should have not gotten the lake insight and just went with the regualr unit..then purchased the hotmaps. Any idea what the T's are? I did try to switch to another map, however you must need to buy the SD card....It says it "supports" the 3 other maps, but does not show an option to select in the menu...I'm guessing when you purchase the SD card, the option appears.
post edited by hossmagnet - 2010/03/24 09:50:13
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Bogeyjoker
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/24 11:10:19
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ORIGINAL: hossmagnet
Thanks for the help, probably should have not gotten the lake insight and just went with the regualr unit..then purchased the hotmaps. Any idea what the T's are?
After doing a little poking around on some other boards, I think I agree with you. It seems like the Insight is nothing more that a slightly more graphical base map, although that still doesn't explain to me why you're not getting any depth contours on the bay...unless the bay isn't one of the available lakes??? I have no idea what the T's are...Did you try and change the map file? Here are some opinions I've seen on the Insight software: Cutthroat Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 28 Re: Opinions on Lowrance HDS 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have an HDS 7 that we put on our boat back in February. The positive things about the HDS series is that you don't have to buy an additional antenna for the GPS. The built-in antenna works perfectly for us and we have ours mounted inside the cabin on a Bayliner Trophy. The next nice thing is that all the accessories can be hooked up directly to the unit, without any additional filters or black boxes. When we install our radar, we will just simply plug it in the back and run the power cord to the batteries. Finally, the skimmer transducer seems to do a fine job and if you ever go to replace it it costs only $50. Finally, if you want to you can add everything from fuel management to trim settings to the screen.
The minus is the software that came with it. The Insight software that Lowrance offers with the unit is not worth the extra money. If you can buy it with out the software, I would recomend the Navionics Platinum West Coast Chip. (To view these on the unit you have to download a rather large update from Lowrance.) The bath charts the Navionics come with are really nice. The other minus is the customer support through Lowrance. This is where they really discuraged me. It seems that you have to wait on the phone for atleast 30 minutes every time you call before you get to talk to a human. Also their self help section on their website completely sucks.
I do not have allot of experience with the other brands, but I have been happy with our purchase and consider it a better value than allot of the other models we looked at. Lowrance Lake Insight vs Navionics
from o2bbassin #14813
9/9/2009 11:59:06 AM
Rated:
Replacing my console unit with HD5 or HD7 unit and debating whether to purchase the base map unit and add a Navionics card or just go with the factory Lake Insight option. Primarily fish the same lakes/waters in a single state(NC). What is your opinion on Lake Insight vs Navionics?
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Navionics from mofishin #10690 9/9/2009 2:42:54 PM
In my opinion the Navonics is better. It gives you better contours. Sure the Insight is pretty zoomed out but thats not practical.
Also in my area the insight maps are not on all the lakes. I would still need the navonics for that.
I was looking at the HD8 for my boat but purchased the Hummingbird 957 because a very reputable marine electronics dealer in my area said that they were not carrying the Lowrance HD units because they were still having a lot of problems.
Insight from STRETCH1 #11051 9/9/2009 2:57:33 PM
In my opinion the Insight is much better. The contours are good (not 1 ft contours but they are good) and the Insight maps have many more lakes that I fish on them. The Navionics coverage for Southern IL sucks! My marine electronics dealer has been selling them by the pallet load with never a problem except for the early HDS7s which are now reportedly corrected (never effected the HDS5, 8 or 10).
The HDS Insight maps contain thins like boat ramps, weed beds, road beds stump fields etc.. They excel at that. If you are lucky enough to live near one of the lakes that Navionics has scanned with 1ft contours then you might benefit from one of those chips.
I live in Illinois and fish in Missouri and Illinois, I never understand why I have to by 2 Navionics chips to fish my areas when 1 of the chips contain all the way to Maine!
Be Careful from Three Rivers Marine Electronics 9/17/2009 11:12:40 AM
The early model Insight models have more detail than the new Insight units. Lowrance had a falling out with one of there mapping companies and this information was loaded on the older models but not in the new models.
I found this out when i told a customer that our HDS insight demo model would look just like his. I ended up being wrong. Our demo model had alot more downloaded on it than the unit he purchased. so i ended up giving him a mapping card.
JUSTIN
Three Rivers Marine Electronics
2030 Hayden Blvd, Route 51 South
Elizabeth, PA 15037
412-384-2388
888-549-8307
trme@earthlink.net
www.threeriversmarine.net
www.towboatelectronics.com
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bulldog1
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/24 11:49:12
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woodnickle
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/24 12:04:44
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I am wondering if those T,s are structure spots.
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bulldog1
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/24 12:07:07
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John, there's a nice looking used LCX unit on CL for $250 if you're looking for a nice unit at a bargain price.
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hossmagnet
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/24 13:51:49
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I did try to change the map, but it only gave me 2 choices...the book shows three.
It went to a blank map when i switched it though. Probably going to buy the SD card.
Any thoughts on which to buy. I only bought it because i talked the manager down to 669.00 at Gander Mountain. I wish i would have checked it out first though.
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bulldog1
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/03/24 16:09:50
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Can't go wrong with the Navionics Hot Maps premium. You should be able to find them 1 to 2 years outdated for a good price and the info doesn't change that much year to year
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wallyeyes
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/04/01 15:35:42
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Just took boat out for first time, with my new HDS-5 Lake insight, well not good, unit would not find any sats! called TRM where it was bought, no problems, justin is the best, put new one on in parking lot and all is good, trying again Sat morn.
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Trout About
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/04/01 15:53:56
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Installed my HDS-5 last weekend. picked up sats immediately. Was concerned about reception since I was mounting it below the gunnell, near the floor. I still need to pick up an SD card to install the software updates. Can't wait to get it on the water. Either it was easy, or I drink too slow cause it was only a 1 beer install. 
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bulldog1
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RE: HDS-5 LOWRANCE
2010/04/01 16:46:06
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Drink faster before you start.... it'll take longer then 
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