Thinking of making the switch from Hummibird 898 to Lowrance HDS8

[Flyswatter]

Not had Lowrance for years.  Needing more screen size for aging eyes and the HDS8 GenII has caught my fancy.  Only concern is OEM support.  Has it improved?  Will had SS at a later date.  Don't use it much so not real motivated to get one but nice knowing I can add it later.

What type of shoot thru hull transducer do I need for the HDS8?  Does it come with it or do I have to special order it.

As soon as I get the HDS8 my 7 month old 898cSI will go up for sale.

[E5Zero]

Have you compared the cost of getting a 998 or 1198 that use the same hardware you already have?  i.e. transducer, gps, power wire etc.

Not sure of the cost of an HDS8 GenII, but what kept me away from the Lowrance was the additional cost to add on the SS.  I would do a cost comparison and see where you end up.

And do you have a transducer glassed in already for the HB?

I had an Eagle/Lowrance in my boat, had to cut it out of the bilge to install the HB thru hull, hard work but worth it.

And I bet you could sell the 898 along with transducers/GPS Puck from 998/1198 and not come out to bad off at the end of the day.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I want a larger unit up front on my boat, right now I have a 798, a little small for SI down on the deck, but it works!

Good luck.

[BigDBasser]

Just added an HDS 10 at the console and 5 up front.  Talked to Lowrance before I bought and they said that they would replace the skimmer transducer at no cost with a thru-hull.  I had to send them my new skimmer and they would send me the thru-hull.  As it turned out, my existing thru-hull worked with the 10, so I did not have to change it out.

Also, think about this.  If you are getting the 8 because of the size of the screen and ease of seeing, I would think about the 10.  The cost difference is not that much and your eyes will not get better, only worse. 

Here is another thought, if you are considering LSS, you can save 100-150 by getting the bundle.  Then, if you buy from an on-line shop, you can save another couple of hundred off of the MAP pricing you'll get at a local store.  When you figure in the fact that you don't pay sales tax when buying on line, the cost difference between an 8 and a 10 is very little. 

[Wayne P.]

You can use the transom mount torpedo that comes with the units as a shoot-thru, BUT the flat bottom TM puck style is easier to get in the correct attitude when installing it for shoot-thru. If you can get the trade-in from Lowrance that is the way to go.
If there is a shoot-thru model with the external mounted temperature sensor available for the HDS that is the BEST application. The regular TM transducer has a built-in temp sensor and all you will get with that is the hull temp.

There accessory catalog is not very good with showing what works with the newer models.

[Flyswatter]

Thanks guys.  I'm not going to add SS off the bat.   I don't use my HB's Side Imagaing that much these days. Especially since I'm no longer tournament fishing.  So I have decided to go with HDS8 GenII.  To me the screen is much bigger to my eyes.  Was at BPS to do side by side comparison.  Plus I can flush mount HDS8 unit into my 2012 SabreFTD console.  Also,  I'm tired of waiting for HB's NMEA2k  board for engine data read outs and the HDS units have it already built in their units. 

[Todd Driscoll]

Units come with the skimmer/temp ducer (HST-WSBL).  The skimmers can be used as shoot-thru, but Wayne provided good advice above.  The pod ducers are easier to mount as shoot-thru and there are three models:

PDT-WBL - temp in ducer
PD-WBL - no temp
PDRT-WBL - remote temp to mount on transom

[Flyswatter]

I'm out of my element with Lowrance so my comfort transition needs to be easy for me.    Which transducer do I need to get for water temp and 2D readings that offers the best fit for through hull application?  My dealer will be installing and I want this to go without a hiccup.  Also,  curious why Lowrance doesn't offer puck style through hull TD as the standard hardware?  Seems to be that would be the logical choice for more accurate bottom reading at higher speeds.  Please direct me with TD model number.  I'm ordering a HDS8 this week.  Thanks again for your help.

Going forward I'll be asking lots of newbie questions since I've been HB centric for the last 6 years.  Something new, something different is exciting and I'll be leaning on the UB community with my transition.  Already,  got a great vibe and you all have been very helpful.

One thing I'm going to exhaust will be NMEA2000 engine data connection.  Stay tuned or be bored.     I'll be posting lots of pics regarding NMEA2000 Engine Data displays! 

To Be Continued....

the flat bottom TM puck style is easier to get in the correct attitude when installing it for shoot-thru. If you can get the trade-in from Lowrance that is the way to go.
If there is a shoot-thru model with the external mounted temperature sensor available for the HDS that is the BEST application. The regular TM transducer has a built-in temp sensor and all you will get with that is the hull temp.

There accessory catalog is not very good with showing what works with the newer models.

[Flyswatter]

Oops!  I didn't see your post completely.  So PDT-WBL will be the TD to mount for through hull?

Units come with the skimmer/temp ducer (HST-WSBL).  The skimmers can be used as shoot-thru, but Wayne provided good advice above.  The pod ducers are easier to mount as shoot-thru and there are three models:

PDT-WBL - temp in ducer
PD-WBL - no temp
PDRT-WBL - remote temp to mount on transom

[Todd Driscoll]

The PDT has the temp inside the ducer housing.  Ideally, get the PDRT as it has the remote pigtail to actually install on the outside of your transom.  Either that, or get a NMEA 2000 temp sensor (EP 80) to install on the transom and all your head units on the network can read that temp sensor.

[Flyswatter]

I like that idea with NMEA temp sensor.    Makes sense. Good call.

[Bigwrench]

I would love to add the engine data sensors to mine ! I'll have to watch for your updates Fly ! I also wish I woulda went with an 8 or 10 ! I'll probably end up getting one or the other and Ram mounting it ! I have a 5 and 7 Gen 1 with LSS,  love em but shoulda went bigger I'll probably get another after Christmas just in time for spring !


Bass Fishin & Banjer Pickin !

[Flyswatter]

BigWrench, 

Taking one step at a time.   Will eventually replace my HB 788ciHD combo and replace with HDS7 for the bow area too.

I already have the NMEA2000 engine harness for my 2012 175HPDI as well as the NMEA2000 starter kit ready go. Gonna add the temp sensor so I can eventually network to both units when I eventually get HDS7 for the bow.  From what I have read it's pretty straight forward.  I got tired of waiting for HB to come out with their NMEA2k card.   Another reason for the conversion over the HDS.  I've been waiting back to January this year.   All good and HB makes a fantastic product.  Their customer support is awesome and hope I don't regret it.   

[Flyswatter]

The PDT has the temp inside the ducer housing.  Ideally, get the PDRT as it has the remote pigtail to actually install on the outside of your transom.  Either that, or get a NMEA 2000 temp sensor (EP 80) to install on the transom and all your head units on the network can read that temp sensor.

I've been doing my NMEA2000 research and found your input with Yamaha engines.  Anything I should know going forward with my 2012 175HPDI and NMEA2k T-Bone network chain? 

1. I've got the Engine harness for Yamaha Engines
2. I have NMEA2k starter kit.
3. I've got the NMEA2k Temp Sensor

Do I need EP-85r storage device?  If so let me know.

Oh, I got a deal on a HDS-8 Gen1 so good I could not pass it up.   Being installed by my dealer as we speak.

Next on the list is to acquire a HDS7 for the bow.   

[Todd Driscoll]

All you need is a functioning NMEA 2000 network and the Yamaha engine sensor, so you are good to go there.

Regarding the Data Storage Device (120-73), you only need this if you want to use the Fuel Management part of your HDS units.  You also have to manually enter fuel gallons every time you fill the tanks up into the Fuel Management part of the HDS unit menu.  With this, you would be able to follow:

Trip fuel used, Tank fuel used, Seasonal fuel used, Fuel range

[Flyswatter]

Todd,

Thanks for the feedback!  It's all coming back to men now.  I had a 2008 Sabre with a 150HO Etec.  Funnest boat I've had to date.  I guess because it was my first.  Anyway,  I had my dealer install  Lowrance Net Gauges, NMEA2k setup and that was the coolest of cool to me at the time.   You may have assisted me back then.  One drawback and I'm surprised it hasn't been resolved today is manually having to add gallons or set gas gauge default to full every time you fill the tank.  That's a minor issue compared to all the great features NMEA2k has to offer.

[coldfront]

Thanks guys.  I'm not going to add SS off the bat.   I don't use my HB's Side Imagaing that much these days. Especially since I'm no longer tournament fishing.  So I have decided to go with HDS8 GenII.  To me the screen is much bigger to my eyes.  Was at BPS to do side by side comparison.  Plus I can flush mount HDS8 unit into my 2012 SabreFTD console.  Also,  I'm tired of waiting for HB's NMEA2k  board for engine data read outs and the HDS units have it already built in their units.

I'm waiting for someone to finally put together a 'touch screen' that won't show my greasy fingerprints...

you should be just fine if not better than fine with Lowrance service if it's needed.  I know they've been great to me over the years...and I'm nobody.

[fishrman]

I have an hd 8, my third one in three years. the first one crapped out after 6 months, the refurbished one that they sent to replace it lasted, 8 months, the next refurbished model lasted one year. now I have just sent It off to Lowrance, guess what out of warranty. They will send a refurbished unit for $895 or a gen 2 refurbished for $1195. Thinking about changing all three boats to the birds. I know that this seems like allot of malcfunctions,  breakdowns, and such,how ever this boat is on the water about 120 days a year.

[Flyswatter]

Coldfront.

It's already available.  SimRad NSS7, NSS8 and NSS10 units have it.  SimRad is parent company to Navico/Lowrance.  A little steep for my blood.  It truly is iPod like technology.

I'm waiting for someone to finally put together a 'touch screen' that won't show my greasy fingerprints...

you should be just fine if not better than fine with Lowrance service if it's needed.  I know they've been great to me over the years...and I'm nobody.

[Flyswatter]

I have an hd 8, my third one in three years. the first one crapped out after 6 months, the refurbished one that they sent to replace it lasted, 8 months, the next refurbished model lasted one year. now I have just sent It off to Lowrance, guess what out of warranty. They will send a refurbished unit for $895 or a gen 2 refurbished for $1195. Thinking about changing all three boats to the birds. I know that this seems like allot of malcfunctions,  breakdowns, and such,how ever this boat is on the water about 120 days a year.

Yikes!!!!!     That's a scary thought.  I just switched over to lowrance...   

[coldfront]

Coldfront.

It's already available.  SimRad NSS7, NSS8 and NSS10 units have it.  SimRad is parent company to Navico/Lowrance.  A little steep for my blood.  It truly is iPod like technology.

hear you...I've dialed back the expenditures...nice to have is not always HAVE to have for me anymore...

Last opportunity I had to work with Lowrance customer service, I pulled my HDS-7 off the console and could hear the water sloshing around inside (it worked just fine until I tried to shake it and/or see if I could get the water out)...called Lowrance, explained everything including what I'd done...they said send it in...they'd try to fix it.

couple weeks later the brand new unit arrived.


every company has good/bad customer interaction from time to time.  As 'birds have gotten more customers, you can even find where folks have had issues with them too...

they're all good units...

[Falcon104]

I just made the switch from Lowrance to Hummingbird.............been lucky so far on both company's as far as service. Haven't had any issues with either.