Lowrance SonicHub

Bassinkorea · June 22, 2012, 12:50:43 AM

I am just about to buy the Lowrance SonicHub for my boat.
I would like to hear from those that already have one in their boats any positive and negative comments.

Also, my boat is a single console boat, so where would be a good place to mount the unit and the speakers?

Todd Driscoll · June 22, 2012, 09:03:42 AM

For anyone that enjoys having tunes, radio, Sirius, ect. while they fish, the SonicHub is a must-have. It is an AM/FM tuner, plus it is Sirius, IPhone, Ipod, and thumb drive compatible. Typical radios are a weak-link in boats, as few last very long due to the harsh conditions. With SonicHub, your HDS units then serve as your radio interface. You control all of the audio/SonicHub features through the HDS units.

I have the Sirius antenna/subscription, and I wouldn't own a boat without SonicHub/Sirius.

SonicHub is a NMEA 2000 device, so you must have the NMEA network installed.

Bassinkorea · June 22, 2012, 08:40:13 PM

I don't know much about the NMEA system. I just assumed the SonicHub was a plug and play unit connected to my structure scan box via an ethernet cable.

Todd Driscoll · June 24, 2012, 07:49:05 PM

Not much to installing the NMEA network. You just need to purchase a NMEA starter kit, then provide switched 12V power to the network.

Starter kit: http://store.navico.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductName=000-0124-69

marlinman1 · June 30, 2012, 07:13:57 PM

I am in the process of installing structure scan and sonic hub on my boat as well. the structure scan is connected via ethernet but the sonic hub is on the nema network

Bassinkorea · August 06, 2012, 11:07:31 PM

Ok, I got the easy part done, I installed the 2 units and connected all the cables including the NMEA starter kit. The hardest part remains......cutting 2 big holes in my boat

Before I do that, I would like to know where my fellow UBer's have installed your speakers (photos would be great). For reference, I have a single console Triton.

GRR884 · August 07, 2012, 07:16:59 AM

I can't say a single negative thing about the Sonic Hub. I've had ZERO issues. I'd just make sure you have it solidy mounted and that wires are all secured. I could see that loose connections could be a problem if improperly installed. Lowrance scored a big hit with this unit. I LOVE IT!

My hub is mounted under the drivers console. Once it's mounted you really don't need to get to it for any reason afterwards. I've seen them mounted on the interior wall of a rod locker too. Just make sure to check the lengths of all your cables making sure they fit to where everything is going.

I can't really help on speaker location though. The most common location are on the sides where you sit or on the kick panels but seems like you would kick them there.

You just gotta make you have enough sidewall depth. You know the saying..."measure twice cut once"

Also gotta mention the LWX-1 is an awesome (accessory) receiving antenna for Sirius Radio, Weather Radar and checking area gas prices. (Not sure if the weather radar would work in your country)

Enjoy it

Flyswatter · August 07, 2012, 07:44:58 AM

My next boat will have the Sonic Hub.

Todd Driscoll · August 07, 2012, 11:37:52 AM

Like GRR884, I think the SonicHub coupled with a LWX-1 Sirius antenna is a must-have for anyone that likes access to tunes, sporting events, etc. in the boat. And yes, triple-verify that you have enough mounting depth for the speakers.

Bassinkorea · August 07, 2012, 05:04:21 PM

GRR884, that was a great reply thanks!
I mounted my unit in my drivers side rod locker out of the way, so no need for the front cover. I will mainly be using USB for my music.
I am thinking about mounting the left speaker on the main wall next to the passenger seat, and the right speaker in the drivers console near the center step (the step to access the front deck).

I was hoping to see some photos of other speaker mounts to give me some other options.

Flyswatter · August 07, 2012, 05:08:09 PM

I like it. So you mount the Sonic Hub in the rod locker, done that too before and now for my Kenwood 700u but use Lowrance HDS screen to operate it like a remote? Of so that is way cool and saves on console space. Hmm.... Does anyone have a screen shot of the HDS Page? Is there one?

marlinman1 · August 12, 2012, 08:57:18 PM

I have the sonic hub on my leader 180 baycat center console and i love it! very easy to install once you figure out what you need for the nema network (mine is the NEMA 2000) I even installed another set of the lowrance speakers. My sonic hub is coupled with the HDS7 gen 2 and an LSS 2 all installed in the console. I used some 3/4 pvc cutting board to mount all of on and then through bolted it to the console useing stainless steel hardware and trim washers for a pro look. The sonic hub sounds awesome and when coupled with the hds works great. It even turns it off if the battery gets low so you cant be jammin the tunes and run the battery down. This is a great feature as none of my friends can swim fast enough to pop start my outboard!

Bassinkorea · August 12, 2012, 09:02:06 PM

I got my speakers installed on Friday then drove up North 3 hour for tournament practise. Fished all day Saturday rocking to AC/DC etc whilst catch some nice bass. Have to say I love the SonicHub, well worth the stress of cutting 2 big speaker holes in my boat

Bassinkorea · August 13, 2012, 07:40:07 AM

Here's some shots of where I finally decided to place the speakers.......

ehilburn11 · August 13, 2012, 04:41:48 PM

Loved reading about this! Very interested now! Would this be good price for everything?

http://www.basspro.com/Lowrance-SonicHub-Marine-Audio-Server/product/10225473/59007?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&om_mmc=shopping_googleproductextensions&affcode_c=17kw3123386&SST=4e45c1e9-e0b4-8ce9-ea89-0000090fee16

Bassinkorea · August 13, 2012, 04:53:10 PM

That is the price I paid for mine. You will need to have a HDS unit to operate the SonicHub and you'll also need to buy a NMEA 2000 starter kit.

ehilburn11 · August 14, 2012, 09:00:24 PM

How much is that starter kit? Is it hard to install?

Bassinkorea · August 14, 2012, 10:26:23 PM

Quote from: ehilburn11 on August 14, 2012, 09:00:24 PM
How much is that starter kit? Is it hard to install?

I believe its about $50 and the install is very simple, it just needs to be connected to a 12 volt supply. The hardest part is finding a place to mount it

BigDBasser · August 15, 2012, 06:27:28 AM

Was thinking of getting the Sonic Hub but I don't have an IPod and I'm not going to pay for Sirius radio. That just leaves me the radio portion. How is the radio reception. I've heard that it's not great. Is that true or not.

Todd Driscoll · August 15, 2012, 10:29:18 AM

Quote from: BigDBasser on August 15, 2012, 06:27:28 AM
Was thinking of getting the Sonic Hub but I don't have an IPod and I'm not going to pay for Sirius radio. That just leaves me the radio portion. How is the radio reception. I've heard that it's not great. Is that true or not.

With just the cheapest radio antenna (a short one that directly connects to back of SonicHub), reception is good.

Flyswatter · August 15, 2012, 11:33:49 AM

Quote from: Bassinkorea on August 13, 2012, 04:53:10 PM
That is the price I paid for mine. You will need to have a HDS unit to operate the SonicHub and you'll also need to buy a NMEA 2000 starter kit.

Is there a screen display on the HDS for Sonic Hub. Just curious.

GRR884 · August 15, 2012, 05:42:39 PM

Quote from: Flyswatter on August 15, 2012, 11:33:49 AM
Is there a screen display on the HDS for Sonic Hub. Just curious.

On the HDS-8 all the soft key access quick function to radio. You do see all the channels displayed on the screen. There a ton so you have to scroll thru them. You pick the ones you like and add them to your favorites menu so they are always a quick touch away. I also like how it displays the song and the artist playing. Wish my truck was like that. You're talking way cool stuff.

GRR884 · August 15, 2012, 05:43:46 PM

Quote from: BigDBasser on August 15, 2012, 06:27:28 AM
Was thinking of getting the Sonic Hub but I don't have an IPod and I'm not going to pay for Sirius radio. That just leaves me the radio portion. How is the radio reception. I've heard that it's not great. Is that true or not.

When parked in my steel pole barn I use the radio and it works fine.

Bassinkorea · August 15, 2012, 06:04:26 PM

Quote from: BigDBasser on August 15, 2012, 06:27:28 AM
Was thinking of getting the Sonic Hub but I don't have an IPod and I'm not going to pay for Sirius radio. That just leaves me the radio portion. How is the radio reception. I've heard that it's not great. Is that true or not.

I have not tried the radio yet, as Korean radio shows are not my favorites

I also do not have any ipod devices. I put all my music on a 4gb USB drive and plug it directly into the SonicHub (there are actually 2 USB ports).

Bassinkorea · August 15, 2012, 06:13:07 PM

Quote from: Flyswatter on August 15, 2012, 11:33:49 AM
Is there a screen display on the HDS for Sonic Hub. Just curious.

Here's a screenshot of the SonicHub screen on my HDS-8.
You have to press and hold the "pages" button until the SonicHub screen is highlighted with the orange boarder, then the soft keys will control the SonicHub.