Todd Driscoll

Yes, the 5M will read both 2D sonar and LSS when Ethernet-linked to your LSS and HDS 8. However, like others suggested, I would want an independent transducer on my trolling motor.

A pic of what you are looking at would be helpful. It could be electrical interference, or just natural clutter caused from waves/air bubbles, suspended particulates, plankton, etc.

I agree with Jig Man. Given the 5 is not already installed, I just don't think the slight benefit you would get with using a 5-inch screen as dedicated mapping would be worth it. I would sell the 5 and put that money towards StructureScan.

The LSS-1 box and LSS-2 box are not exactly the same. With both an LSS-2 box and ducer, you would get an increase in both clarity and range. With just the LSS-2 ducer (keeping your LSS-1 box), you would only get an increase in range but not clarity.

If you take one for a demo ride, I think all your questions will be answered. No question, these boats sell themselves. My home waters are Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend, so I must have a boat that rides well in rough water. I've owned three Phoenix boats (2011 and 2012 721s, and a 2013 920), and IMO, the rough water ride of a Phoenix is unmatched. They are also fast boats. With Yamaha 250 SHOs, my 721s ran 77 and I've hit 79 with my 920. They also have many unique fishing-related features and their price point will beat all other comparable brands. Feel free to send me a PM with further questions.

Chris, sorry I misread your first post. What I said above applies to the external LSS-1 or LSS-2 StructureScan. When you are using the internal LSS of the Touch units, you must have Network Sonar enabled to share the internal LSS.

Network sonar enabled/disabled should not in any way affect the sharing of StructureScan between Ethernet-linked units. Network sonar shares your 2D ducers and with this enabled, only one 2D ducer is powered. Under sonar source, you select which specific 2D ducer you want both units reading. If you disable it, then both 2D ducers run independently. When you lose digital depth, are you still getting a bottom reading on the display? Do you have Shallow Water selected in the sonar menu? No, you will not get any reliable digital depth reading with the ducer out of the water.

Please post a screenshot of the interference and a pic of your LSS transducer mount. Your problem could be electrical interference, surface clutter, or beam kickback related to your ducer mount, but can't help further without pics.

The clutter you describe is referred to as surface clutter and can extend down to over 5 feet. This is caused by air bubbles from waves or prop wash, suspended particles, plankton, etc. You can adjust your surface clarity filter in the unit menu (off, low, medium, high). I would run it on either low or off. Also, for more information regarding sonar operation, see link below. http://support.lowrance.com/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1001&PARTITION_ID=1&secureFlag=false&TIMEZONE_OFFSET=&CMD=VIEW_ARTICLE&ARTICLE_ID=2967

Ignore my comment about sonar color palette. I was thinking Elite series units when responding and forgot you had the monochrome Mark unit.

The Mark 4 is a good unit at its price point. Here are some sonar settings to get you started. First, put the unit in Advanced Mode. Select the Shallow Water (< 60 feet) fishing mode. Keep unit in Auto Sens. and Auto Depth, and run it in 200 kHz. Set Ping Speed at Fastest. I prefer the color white w/ bottom track.

Go to Menu, Menu, System, Time to adjust.

I completely agree. At its price point it is an awesome unit.

If I was forced to choose, I'd prefer sidescan at the helm, simply because I spend a lot of time idling and looking for both structure and fish. This technology is so good that I won't stop and fish until I can see the fish. Side scan certainly has its use up front, but I couldn't do without it in the back.

Yes, you have it right. The Touch has built-in StructureScan. I've been running the 9 Touch for several months. I see absolutely no negatives associated with the touch-screen technology, just all positives. Navigation through the unit menus, adjustment of settings, etc. is just so much more efficient and user-friendly with the touch screen.

I've had this unit on the water for several weeks as part of testing/product validation and am very impressed with overall performance. Target separation and clarity with both 2D sonar and downscan was great. At its price point, the Elite 7 HDI will be a very popular unit.

Simply put, you need to purchase the largest units you can afford. I've never encountered anyone that regretted buying a bigger screen. I've been running the Touch units for nearly 6 months and they perform great. The Touch 7 is available now, and the Touch 9 and 12 should be before the end of the year. For networking/communicating, just be sure both units are in the HDS series (either Touch, Gen1, or Gen2), then Ethernet-link them.

Current Lowrance ducers are still compatible with your unit. No doubt, get a new one.

Check to see if your cursor (or crosshairs) are up on the map page. When your cursor is on the map, the map will stay at the cursor location, no matter where you travel. To remove the cursor to show your current position on the map, make sure the map page is active (orange border around page) and hit exit. Also note that if you hit exit again, it will restore the cursor to the last location in which you had the cursor.

Most of the factory default settings are where you need to be. Keep the sonar in Auto mode, it works great. Run it in 200 kHz. Assuming you are fishing in water < 60 feet, select the Shallow Water fishing mode. I prefer the color "white background with bottom color tracking". Other than that, should run great right out of the box.

What type of lake? Was it pretty small? I ask, because what you are seeing is too shallow to be related to temperature (i.e., a thermocline). I suggest the clutter you are seeing is a thick plankton bloom. Ponds and small lakes can be very fertile with high plankton densities.

Great units at the price point. As ww2farmer indicated, DSI will provide a different return when compared to 2D sonar. DSI utilizes a narrow beam, whereas 2D sonar coverage is a wide cone. DSI also has much greater target resolution and detail. It just takes some on-the-water time to adjust to when you are used to looking at 2D sonar.

Those are the correct update files. How big is your MMC card? The 27 will only read cards 2 GB or less. If your current card is smaller than this, either reformat the card and try again or try another card.

Yes, the unit should automatically recognize the 4000 and select it as the active antenna. But, after the install go to Menu, Menu, Network, Data Sources, GPS and make sure that the 4000 is selected as the active antenna.

The 4000 antenna is a NMEA 2000 network device. If you already have a NMEA network installed, then the 4000 just connects to your existing network via the provided tee. If not, you need to purchase a NMEA Starter Kit: http://store.navico.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductName=000-0124-69