Todd Driscoll

I find that a fair number of folks that have either 5s or 7s do wish that they had spent the extra money for the 8. Screen size is certainly a factor, but the quick key features are the primary reason. These quick keys greatly increase the efficiency of unit operation.

Access the 3 updates at the link below http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Product-Software-Updates/

No, with the Elites you have either 2D sonar, or DSI, not both.

Both the Elite 4 DSI and Elite 5 DSI are downscan only, no 2D sonar. With that said, I prefer having both 2D sonar and downscan at the bow while actively fishing, but I very rarely run 2D sonar at the console. DSI will work very well while you are idling and looking for places to fish.

The Gen2s have a faster processor (response to Menu/key selections is very quick), have the new StructureMap feature, and have more internal storage memory. Other features of the Gen2 are the same as Gen1. See more on Gen2 and StructureMap below: http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/HDS-Gen2/

The thing with the Phoenix is, not only is it fast, but again IMO it provides the best rough water ride of any brand out there.

It was fully loaded, other than the livewells.

Rebates start today and run through April 30, 2012. See details at link below: http://www.lowrance....timate-Upgrade/

Lowrance software updates have always been free and are offered as a download on lowrance.com.

Here is a 3 pane shot of a SCUBA diver

I have a Yamaha 250 SHO on my 2012 721, and I am still breaking the engine in. But, I have hit 78 MPH without doing much tinkering with the engine height.

On the 721 (20' 11"), it has a max 96 inch beam. The beam width is carried well up to the front deck, but it does taper a little. Don't get me wrong, plenty of room and width on the 721 front deck. I can get some measurements if you wish. The new model for 2012 is the 921 (21' 6"). On this boat, the 96 inch beam is completely carried up past the windshields. This boat is a beast.

No doubt, it's very beneficial on both the transom and trolling motor. Each LSS only supports one ducer, so to have independent LSS ducers on both the TM and transom, you would need two complete LSSs.

I have been running a Phoenix 721 ProXP for two years (2011 and 2012 model). This boat absolutely sells itself after you test drive it. My home waters are Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend, and I need a boat that handles big, rough water. I've driven almost every boat brand out there, including Tritons for the 10 years previous to buying a Phoenix, and the rough water ride of a Phoenix is second to none! Fishability is super, especially in the wind/waves. Phoenix has tremendous storage and many innovative and angler-friendly features. Feel free to send me a PM with your contact info if you'd like to discuss.

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Product-Software-Updates/HDS-Software-Update/ What changes are made in this update? HDS 4.1 includes many new features including: Sonar Performance – Improvements include better bottom tracking at high speeds, enhanced deep water depth tracking (greater than 1,000 feet), and shortened lock on time for trolling motor mounted transducers. Charting Enhancements – Quick access mapping selection is now available with Lowrance/Navionics chart toggle under Chart Options or soft key accessible on HDS-8 and HDS-10. Also, users can now display points of interest supplied by the Navionics User Community. Fixes– Updates include accurate distance measurement between vessel and active cursor as vessel moves, correct altitude overlay for altitudes greater than 9,999 feet, and EP-60R fuel flow sensor corrections.

No, the StructureScan ducer is entirely separate. You will need two 2D sonar ducers. The typical setup is a 2D sonar ducer on the trolling motor, a 2D ducer as shoot-thru in the back, and a StructureScan ducer mounted on the transom or jackplate. With your units Ethernet-linked, both units can read your StructureScan ducer, but of course when viewing it at the bow unit, the view is from the back of the boat where the StructureScan ducer is. Each StructureScan will only support one ducer, so another option is to get a second StructureScan and have it's ducer on the trolling motor along with the 2D ducer.

Yes, the units ship with the skimmer ducer and it's just fine on the trolling motor. Lowrance actually sells a bracket to mount this ducer (see link below) to the trolling motor, but you can modify the transom bracket that comes with the ducer (pic included) and it actually is more durable than the designed bracket. All you have to do is bend the ears of the metal bracket slightly to accomodate the hose clamp. All in the pic is provided with the unit except the hose clamp. factory bracket: http://store.navico....ame=000-0051-45 I haven't used any of the transducer savers.

If you are referring to the 2D sonar ducers, with Gen2 nothing has changed in that regard. You can run either the pod or skimmer ducers on the trolling motor. The pods are more durable if you fish a lot of real shallow water. The skimmers can break off at the neck if you run it into the ground or stumps. With units Ethernet-linked, the 2D ducers can be shared among units thru the "Network Sonar" feature. Of course, the Lowrance StructureScan has its own ducer and it has 3 separate crystals - left, down, and right. "Downscan" refers to the down crystal with this technology, not 2D sonar. When you mount a StructureScan ducer on a trolling motor, yes the left/right sidescan views are blurred when the trolling motor swivels, but with 2D sonar the view is unaffected as this is only a downward cone.

The Lowrance Mark/Elite 4-inch models are new for 2012 and provide great value for the price.

Yes, the Elite 4 units are new for 2012. Compared to the Elite 5 DSI, the Elite 4 DSI has slightly less power but is a great little unit for the price!

The Insight mapping is enhanced relative to the basemap. Nautic Insight is primarily coastal/offshore mapping. Lake Insight contains all the Fishing Hot Spots information, including access points, fishing tips, and highlighted areas of aquatic vegetation and stumps. It also includes lifelike 3D contour shading at certain zoom levels. All HDS units are compatible with Navionics mapping cards.

2D sonar - First, make sure you have the current software (4.0.36.59). Check your version at Menu, Menu, System, About. Recent updates have focused on enhancing sonar returns. Sonar Auto mode works very well. Keep the unit in 200 kHz. Under sonar settings, select Shallow Water (for our purposes this is water < 60 feet deep) and set scroll speed to normal. Also, under Installation select your appropriate transducer. Under Sonar Menu, I run Ping Speed at 18. Colorline I like at 85. For shallow water, especially around grass, I prefer color palette 1. For deep water or with lakes void of grass, I like palette 13. This was called bottom color tracking in the older units, helps separate fish from the bottom/cover, and also shows hard bottoms/shell beds better. StructureScan - In typical freshwater depths (15-30 feet), your sidescan range will work best set at 2-3X the depth. 60-80 feet is where mine is most of the time. Range can be operated in either Auto or Manual – I prefer Manual. Of course, as you move deeper than 30 feet, increase your side scan range accordingly. In depths less than 100 feet, run frequency at 800 kHz. I prefer contrast between 65-80, with less contrast in shallow water and greater contrast in deep water. I also like the default color palette 6.

Yes, call CS at 800-324-1356. Lowrance now has the 5-yr Advantage Service. See the details below: http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/Advantage-Service/

What you are referring to is the loss of direction that GPS units experience when absolutely dead still. Your actual GPS position is still very accurate, but the unit just loses which way North/South is. I only have experience with Lowrance units, but can tell you that sense of direction is gained with very little movement using the standard internal antennas on the new units. With HDS, you can also add the external 4000 antenna which further increases the response of direction to movement. Internal antennas provide a position update 1X/sec, while the 4000s provide it 5X/sec.

It is always important to install the latest Lowrance updates. For HDS, the current public release is 4.0.36.59. Yes, the 5X is completely compatible with the StructureScan.