Right Transducer for HDS GEN 2 Touch

LongboardRider · Post by **LongboardRider** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:46 am

So I'm trying to figure out the right transducers(s) to use before I order a 10 and 12 HDS GEN 2 Touch for the Console and Bow.

I'm thinking of doing a shoot-thru transducer and an LSS-2 Skimmer mounted under the Jack Plate. I just bought the boat and it already has a Lowrance shoot-thru in the bilge but doubt it will work with the new unit?

I'm thinking I need a HDI 83/200 Skimmer® transducer 000-10976-001 and that this will work as a shoot thu, or will it only work as a skimmer?

And the LSS-2 StructureScan HD Skimmer transducer 000-10802-001 as the HDS Gen 2 have the Structure Scan built in.

Also, one thought I had was to get the Wireless unit and use two old iPads in Otter Cases for the Bow and Stern units rather than a whole separate kit up front. Anyone had a chance to try this out? what functionality can you really get from the wireless unit?

if anyone has recommendation for the "right" set up for this I would sure appreciate your feedback on:

Right parts
Right mounting locations for the transducers
And were to buy it all...

I would like to make sure I get this right before I spend all the dough

I'm also open to where the best place to buy it would be in the SF Bay Area.

This is going in 2008 Triton X20, 12" Jack Plate, Mercury 250 XS.

Ken Sauret · Post by **Ken Sauret** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 3:32 pm

The LSS-2 transducer under the jackplate is a great location. The existing transducer in the bilge area is the current ducer for the HDS Gen 2 Touch or Key Pad units, use the one that is already in the boat.

The HDS Gen 2 touch units have the Structure Scan module built into the units and you only need to add the LSS-2 transducer. In the HDS Gen 2 Key Pad models you still need to have the complete Structure Scan package, black box module and transducer.

I have only seen the remote monitoring with an iPad on the Simrad touchscreen units. This is not available on the Key Pad models. With the iPad you are getting an additional monitor. What ever you do to the unit shows up on the iPad. You cannot control the unit from the iPad, it is only a monitor as long as you are within the range of the wireless device on the boat. This is especially of interest to those who have large cabin cruisers and would like to monitor the screen of a unit on the bridge from below deck.

As for where to buy. You can use the link below:

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/wheretobuy/

LongboardRider · Post by **LongboardRider** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 3:08 pm

Thanks Ken for the feedback.

The existing transponder is for an LMS-525C, I don't think its compatible with the HDS Gen 2 Touch units.

Regarding the mounting of the LSS-2 on the Jackplate, does anyone have any pictures of the mount and mounting location on the Jackplate?

I was thinking of attaching the LLS-2 directly to the bottom of the Jackplate Holeshot plate, or do I need to put this off of a skimmer bracket?

Ken Sauret · Post by **Ken Sauret** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:54 pm

Any of the Lowrance transducers that have the blue connector on the cable end that connects to the unit are the same. All work on all units from the new Touch on back.

The LSS-2 ducer can be mounted flush to the bottom of the jack plate by drilling holes, tapping threads in them and screwing the ducer to the bottom of the jack plate. This does not hurt the ducer during the "hole shot". I used the bracket and hung my LSS-2 transducer on the transom because my jack plate at the time did not have a bottom on it. That is the only reason I used the bracket but it has worked flawlessly since I installed it.

NoCAL · Post by **NoCAL** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 12:36 pm

First thing, I think you are talking about transducer not transponder. The transducer for the LMS-525 is a dual frequency of 50/200 kHz. This would work with either of your new units but ideally you want the PDRT-WBL 83/200 kHz for shooting through the hull. You also don't want the iPad idea for the reason just mentioned. It is only a monitor you can't control the unit with it. Although I'm not sure what kind of system you want here is one idea for the units you are buying.

Put the 12 at the console with an in-hull remote temp transducer (PDRT-WBL), add an LSS-2 transducer to either the hull or to the jack plate with a Tranducer Shield mount. Put the 10 on the bow with a PDT-WBL on the trolling motor. Connect the two units with Ethernet and that's it. You have full waypoint connectivity and can see the side/downscan on the bow from the stern transducer. Just one way to do it but probably the easiest and most common.

NoCAL

LongboardRider · Post by **LongboardRider** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:16 pm

NoCal,

You are correct! Transducers are what we are talking about, my brain fade on the original post...

Thanks for your feedback here. Your recommendation on deployment makes sense. My existing transducer has a red connector (gen 2) so I believe it will interoperate with the Gen2 Touch?

Another question on transducers is really about what is the difference between the PDRT-WSU (83/200) vs. HDI 83/200 other than the first is a puck and the second is a skimmer.

I assume both can be epoxied for through hull applications?

The HDI ducer is billed as a "hybrid dual imaging" supporting Broadband Sounder and Downscan imaging. Is this just marketing or do you really get different or more information from the HDI vs the PDRT transducers?

And if their is a difference what do you need to add to the PDRT to get the info it is missing?

Gotta tell ya, I'm amazed at how little differentiation / comparison charts Lowrance provides on its website around transducers given the wide variety they offer....

LBR

NoCAL · Post by **NoCAL** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 10:01 am

The HDI transducer is meant for the Elite 7 unit. Since the Touch units have the LSS built in, it transducer will provide Downscan when connected to a Touch unit. It is not marketing! the Elite 7 HDI is the hottest Lowrance unit right now. It provides 2D and downscan in one transducer, hence the name Hybrid. It can be epoxied in the hull but downscan imaging will suffer. Since I assume you want full down and side scan on you Touch and HDS 10, you want to purchase the LSS-2 HD transducer. It needs to be mounted outside the hull as the high frequencies it utilizes won't effectively penetrate fiberglass. Another difference between these 2 is the the PDRT has a Remote Temp probe. This gets mounted outside the boat while the transducer gets mounted in the bilge. This will allow you to have on-plane depth readings and water temp. A Skimmer has built in temp and needs to be mounted outside for temp.

So for you back unit you need some type of 2D transducer AND the LSS-2. You could probably use your existing 50/200 transducer but those are really meant for outside the hull mounting and are used by saltwater guys for very deep water. Ideally you will remove that and replace with an 83/200. Then connect the units with Ethernet for full network sync, transducer sharing and SI/DI on both units.

NoCAL