About to Update my GPS/FF to the HDS-10

[rick rysemus]

Okay Guys its time. I'm about to drop some coin on a new electronic set up.
I have a 1992 22 foot Sea Sport the has some old Electronics. Plan to keep my existing LCX-16ci and move it to the back window to be used as a sounder and back up GPS if needed.. This winter I also plan to update the Radar to a broadband lowrance system but my curent Raymarine is working just fine...so it can wait...

Here's what I'm looking at buying

HDS-10 with insight map...Is this the map to get for the Puget Sound and Coast or should I just get the base map and Buy a thrid party map?
Airmar 'ducer #B164... as of right now I'm thinking Thru-hull... Could use some advice...Has anyone used Airmar 'ducer's?
Structure Scan

Am I missing any thing?

Thanks for the Help Rick

[Robbo]

You're on the right track Rick. I would definitely get the Structure Scan with your HDS10, as it gives you a whole new set of capabilities on the water. It will take you a little while to learn how to read it and what settings are best, but once you get'r dialed in it's pretty amazing what you can see down there. I find that it saves me quite a bit of time in SE Alaska when we're looking around for fish, as I can quickly determine whether there's any bait around to hold fish. What used take four or fives passes to figure out whether a spot is looking fishy now only takes two passes.

I'm getting a 1KW thru hull Airmar to install in the charter boat in May. Up until now I've run the 600 watt 50/200 transducer and have been very happy with it. The difference I saw on Nelly's boat with the 1KW was the ability to get rock solid bottom readings at high speed (45 mph) and a very clear picture when we were fishing. Not that the Polar Bear goes that fast...not even close...just shows how powerful the Airmar really is.

I run the Navionics chip in mine. It's what I've always used and it scrolls really fast in my machines, plus I prefer to look at a chart versus a contour map. Just a matter of preference on that one.

Don't hesitate to ask you have any more questions. Happy to help

[Salmonhawk]

I would second everything that Robbo said, pretty much sums up my feelings as well.

[rick rysemus]

Rob, Thanks for the info.

Could you explain "Chart versus a Contour map"? I feel like I should know the difference but it's not registering.

Also on the Map selection would you recommend just getting the base map then adding a Navionics. I'm not sure what the difference is between the Insight and Base Map options.

Thanks Again

[Nelly]

Rob, Thanks for the info.

Could you explain "Chart versus a Contour map"? I feel like I should know the difference but it's not registering.

Also on the Map selection would you recommend just getting the base map then adding a Navionics. I'm not sure what the difference is between the Insight and Base Map options.

Thanks Again

Hey Rick! Welcome to our Forums and you ask a great question about chartplotter cartography!

If you're like me, used to reading paper charts then the straight Navionics chip will get the job done for you quite well!

Some find the Platinum charts with their additional use of color a bit cluttered and paper chart "purists" often strongly dislike the level of detail offered in the Insight or 3D mapping.

The best advice: go see for yourself at Lowrance Mapping Options

Hope that helps and welcome again to the Outdoor Line Forums!!!

[Robbo]

I should have been more clear on that one Rick. I have hard time reading the topo charts when I'm running around, as the navigational aids, the rocks, and everything all seem to blend together. Like Nelly, I'm old school and have been reading nautical charts all my life and I know what I'm looking at and the picture is very clear (at least to me). The topo charts...not so much. It'll probably just take some getting used to, but I'll stick to my old school nauti charts for now

[rick rysemus]

Thanks Guys. I believe I have it nailed down and might have found the place to buy everything from. Looks like Lowrance is have a February rebate program too...So I stand to save some cash and if I decided to get the Radar now I could save even more...Just what I needed to see.

Any advice on the Lowrance Radar side of things?

Rick

[Robbo]

Don't forget to get a network expansion box when you pick up your gear, so you can tie everything together. If you plan on overlaying the radar image over the gps image you'll need to install a rate compass. I just picked up a rate compass and will be adding it to the charter boat in the spring for the overlay capabilities. If you don't want to spend the extra money you can split the screen four ways and watch all the data at the same time.

We have some diagrams that will help you a LOT with the install and if you need someone to install everything there are a couple folks around that do installs for a living. Brad Heacock is the absolute best and he's located near Purdy. Good luck with everything

[rick rysemus]

Rob,

When you have the time could post the diagrams? I'll look into the Expansion Box and Rate Compass too. Splitting the screen into four doesn't sound like the best viewing options.

[Nelly]

Hey Rick, I know that Robbo is covered in some sort of dust and debris right now (See the "Day in the Life" Forum for the sad details) So I took the liberty of getting those installation diagrams for you.

This is for a two-display system which is waaay cool and a pretty much the state of the fishfinder "art" right now!

LOWdiag_0002.jpg (34.63 KiB) Viewed 9510 times

Here are the connection at the back of the units and if you're adding a Structure Scan you would just attach it to the NEP or "Network Expansion Port" and it will display on both units via the Ethernet.

LOWdiag_0003.jpg (48.54 KiB) Viewed 9510 times

Finally, as no job is complete until the paperwork is done, here is the parts list you'll need to complete the installation!

LOWdiag_0001.jpg (29.08 KiB) Viewed 9510 times

I hope that all helps, good luck with your installation but whatever you do, DONT let Tobeck help you!!!