Lowrance HDS Insight mapping DISAPPOINTMENT

[SKTR 20i]

I have had my HDS-7 w/Insight mapping on 2 bodies of water here in California (Lake Berrryessa and California Delta) and am very disappointed in both!! Berryessa has no contour depth lines (my 278c HD did) and on the Delta most sloughs show as dry land and was shocked when I got to Discovery Bay and found that has no water there (according to Insight mapping)
My 28c HD had all the Delta in very good detail and thought Insight mapping was going to be an "upgrade" well was I sadly mistaken.

I know what most of you will say is to get Navionics Platinum Plus but the point is; that after spending the money for an HDS unit with the wazoo Insight mapping I shouldn't have to!!

John.

[azbass1]

Well, I guess the good news for the rest of us is you were the guinnea pig.. I've been thinking about getting one and wondering if I should get the one with or without the Insight map.. now I know (sorry man )

But you're right ... that's crap !!!

[Marc]

I also found this to be the case with some of the lakes in Washington as well. My LCX28 and 38 had better mapping details on certain lakes, but my HDS-8 Insight Maps are better on others. Like you I was suprised to learn some of the mapping software is different.

Not sure if Lowrance will offer software updates to the Insight Mapping or not; I have advised Lowrance they should consider doing this.

ciao,
Marc

[acm95301]

I am a fellow HD-7 owner, for the last week anyway. While I was buying the new boat and electronics, I discovered this problem.

1. only 5000 lakes/bodies of water are in HD

2. That many lakes like Mcclure don't show exceptable contour lines.

3. structure scan/down scan doesnt come out til november.


But even with these problems, I was overwhelmingly advised to go with lowrance. Time will tell. I've looked on the internet and seen overwhelmingly positive reviews if the 997 ci si hummingbird, but The HD-7 competes against the 700 series humminbird's, which also have a series of complaints.

I can only hope that future downloads/upgrades will improve map details.

I've used my HD-7 on Mcclure and the Delta now, and am cautiouslt pleased. Ultimately it will come down to the structure scan upgrade's sucess or failure.

[tunaman]

3. structure scan/down scan doesnt come out til november.

Funny that the latest WON had an ad stating that it was already available... the Lowrance website says 'real soon now'.

Roger

[acm95301]

I was told a few tournament anglers have been ste up with the new units, but that it remain unavailable until november....and I assume latter if delays happen.

I was also told that the difference between Lowrance and Humminird is very like PC vs. Mac.

I think I expect it to become available but that we can expect flaws and updates over the next year, especially if this project was rushed.

I have doubts that the "downscan" will be all that great...as it seems to replicate the traditional view of the fishfinders. But perhaps when compared with side scan and the depthsounder traditional 2d view maybe the downscan, perhaps lowrance will find a way to improve the concept.

[tunaman]

To me, I think the Downscan (presuming it lives up to the hype and potential) will be the feature that segregates Lowrance from Humminbird... the StructureScan appears very similar to Humminbird's Side Imaging, and after that it is really just a brand preference IMHO.

I'm on record many times as a Lowrance guy, but finally went over to Humminbird (at the console) for the Side Imaging feature as it was a huge advantage. Once the Lowrance features shake out and prove themselves, I'll probably go back to Lowrance exclusively for my next upgrades... hopefully Lowrance will get it right (and I expect that they will).

Roger

[Robert F]

Hate to say I told you so but I posted this before the HDs came out. The lake list for California is horrible. There are very few HD lakes on the list and most of what is there are worthless ponds. As far as the Delta is concerned, just like the LCX units, you should be on Nautic not Inland insight. They do have two different mapping groups. I am still waiting to see the Down and Side scan before I get rid of my 113's. Humminbird is still a cheap toy compared to Lowrance. Yes, I have owned both.

[N.A.R]

After spending a week on Havasu with an LCX 38 it was really hard for me to believe that the insight map could be much better. I to was on the fence about should I get the insight or not, question answered.

If it wasn't for the structure scan my boat would be loaded with 38's

[Marc]

I have two HDS-8 units on my Ranger, both NMEA 2000 networked and ethernetted. This networking capability makes these units far more versatile than any stand alone unit, or pair of stand alone units. When networked with your engine using a NMEA 2000 engine interface cable, the HDS units have even more functionality than the competition can match.

There are many other important features that get overlooked when comparing to other units. Remember that the Broadband Sonar is built-in to the HDS units for much better clarity and less interference. The improvement in the picture is clearly evident. Also the antenna is built-in to the HDS units, and receives 16 channels. The improved accuracy and better reception, along with the faster refresh rate insures better accuracy and reliability. There are many other features including search capabilities, tide charts, sunrise/moonrise, etc. that seem to get overlooked.

The DownScan imaging is far superior to the normal 2D imaging by standard transducers. This feature works in conjunction with your standard 2D transducer, and you can see both images (downscan and normal 2D view) side by side if you have a big screen HDS-8 or HDS-10. The DownScan images of a standing tree actually look like the standing tree, whereas the normal 2D images look like a series of fish stacked vertically on top of each other; ie requires user interpretation.

Since the StructureScan and DownScan work off of the ethernet network, you can view these images on both units (bow and console) at the same time, or separately. Saw something 5 minutes ago you want to save? Scroll back and punch in the waypoint and it saves it automatically on both units simultaneously.

Sure, because this is electronics and capabilities are rapidly evolving, there will be plenty of software updates and some bumps in the road along the way. Lowrance has put a lot of effort into getting it right and taking their time, for which many have blasted the company for taking so long.

These electronics are no different than our home computers from the standpoint that if we wait for the perfect computer that will end all future computer sales, we will be waiting forever while our friends are reaping the rewards of using what is available and creating a market for new features.

ciao,
Marc

[SKTR 20i]

Robert F. you have a PM.

John.

[Triton Mike]

To me, I think the Downscan (presuming it lives up to the hype and potential) will be the feature that segregates Lowrance from Humminbird...

Roger

Roger, Not anymore.... See link below.

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=416920

[tunaman]

Yep - posted too soon!!! Thanks for the post Mike!!! YEE HAW!

Roger

[bigbass111]

Having used both units, I was surprised to see how much clearer and detailed the Lowrance was over the Hummingbird. The Lowrance side scan seemed to be alot more crisp and clear vs the bird. I am sure its going to be the same way with the downscan.

[Triton Mike]

Having used both units, I was surprised to see how much clearer and detailed the Lowrance was over the Hummingbird. The Lowrance side scan seemed to be alot more crisp and clear vs the bird. I am sure its going to be the same way with the downscan.

Cool do you have pics to show the SI clarity/detail differences between both units?

[bigbass111]

I really don't make a habit of taking pics of units. Its my personal opinion, and the Lowrance seemed to be more detailed and less distorted. Things just looked alot clearer and more drawn out.

[civicrr]

bigbass111, since I hope to be in the market soon, I have a question for ya.

When you compared the two units, did you compare the new for 2009 Hummingbird to the HDS? IIRC, Hummingbird improved the product for 2009.

Thanks

[tunaman]

It also depends on whether the settings are tuned right... I'd like to see a Lowrance show more detail than my 1197 did on the rockpile outside the marina at Lake Casitas... I've been able to get great detail on a whole lot of different structure, but have also had the settings set wrong for the circumstances and not been as impressive. I've learned that the Humminbird needs some adjustments based on the circumstances in order to get the finest detail.

Go check the Humminbird forum pictures in the Yahoo groups to see what detail is possible... incredible however you want to paint it.

Roger

[brambo0311]

You want to get really ticked off I downloaded navionics on my I Phone. It shows sloughs and stuff that isnt on the map with contour lines. It was 5 bucks. And disco is on there along with the entire stretch of the sacramento river. Folsom lake, shasta, clearlake, oroville and I am sure the rest. I just got the phone so I havent been everywere with it yet.

You can take pictures and store it on the map as a way point. Kinda cool to pull up a rock pile with pictures of 4 different angles so you know exactly what your on if we ever get are water back.