Lowrance HDS-5

airforcechief11 · January 17, 2010, 08:15:30 PM

Hey guys,

I just installed the Lowrance HDS-5 and I'm having some trouble with the sonar. I'm not sure if the transducer is too low or too high but I installed it on the same place I had my last fish finder. For some reason, I'm not seeing the arches for fish and I know damn well the whole lake isn't empty lol. Seriously though, I'm getting frustrated with it becuase I spent 700 bucks on it. If anyone has had this problem or if anyone has this unit and can share the settings they have, it would be greatly appreciated! $:-\$

-Shawn- · January 17, 2010, 08:19:38 PM

First make sure that you have all the updates installed. More than likely tha iis a big part of the problem.

Is it showing you anything besides the botom contour?

airforcechief11 · January 17, 2010, 08:25:03 PM

It shows the bottom contour but everything else looks kinda like snow to be honest or if you know how rain showers look on a doppler radar. Every now and then I can see what looks kinda like an arch but thats about it.

-Shawn- · January 17, 2010, 08:27:30 PM

Sounds like you are getting cavitation around the transducer. Does it clear up at all when you are sitting still?

airforcechief11 · January 17, 2010, 08:30:22 PM

No, Not really. I've tried turning the motor off and trolling but doesn't seem to do anything. This is my first boat and first time installing a fish finder. Like I said, this was the same place I had my hummingbird transducer installed and it worked out ok. I'm just not sure whats going on and its pissing me off. Wish I knew more about this sort of stuff.

-Shawn- · January 17, 2010, 08:30:27 PM

I know the HDS units had a problem with showing arches that was taken care of with an update but your screen should be clear. $:-\$

Are you running it on the auto setting?

airforcechief11 · January 17, 2010, 08:35:56 PM

Where do I get these updates from. I literally just bought this unit like 3 days ago. I tried changing the color and everything. I'm sorry, I was mistaken. It does get clear but I don't see any arches. Looks like horizontal lines or like waves. I guess a good example would be a heart beat monitor lines.

-Shawn- · January 17, 2010, 08:46:52 PM

Her are a few links that might help you figure out what is going on.

http://primus.lowrance.com/support/resultDisplay.do?gotoLink=29&docType=1000&contextId=437%3A29.50%2C530.621%2C767.916&clusterName=ClusterPublic&lang=english&docset=%2FDocuments%2FTroubleShooting&contentId=9b553c78-fcf8-4ab8-a7c7-c106565df84d&responseId=135ccbe2cfd4f608%3A1fe88d%3A1263f3f194e%3A-7285&groupId=4&answerGroup=1&score=730&page=http%3A%2F%2Fprimus.lowrance.com%2Ficr%2FTroubleShooting%2FProblems+Marking+Fish_TS.htm&result=0&excerpt=PROBLEMS+MARKING+FISH&question=HDS+5+not+showing+fish+arches&resultType=5001#Goto29

Here is the link for the update

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Marine/HDS-High-Definition-System/HDS-5-FishfinderGPS-Chartplotter/Downloads/HDS-5-Software-Update/

The first link might help, but you really need to download the update.

BassBUFF · January 18, 2010, 07:46:22 AM

If you're sitting still or barely drifting then the fish "arches" will become flat or wavy horizontal lines. It almost sounds like the sensitivity is too high or your getting turbulence from a strake.

PM sent.

-Shawn- · January 18, 2010, 08:30:40 AM

Yep it is either turbulence or you are getting feed back or the sensetivity is set way too high like Buff said.

Make sure to reset your unit to factory settings and run it on auto untill you start getting use to it.

TrailerHook · January 18, 2010, 11:03:42 AM

Regarding updates, if you bought your unit from a reputable Lowrance dealer, they should do the update for you....just give them a call and tell them what is going on with your unit. I just bought two HDS-5 units for my boat a couple weeks ago, and they actually took them both out of their boxes, powered them up, checked that they both worked properly, and then installed the latest updates for me on the spot before I left the showroom with them.