I have an HDS-8 Gen 2 with Insight HD at the console.  I'm wanting an HDS-5 for the bow.  Does anyone know if I were to buy the HDS-5m if it will share the sonar from the HDS-8?  I have the LSS-1 Structure scan module connected to the HDS-8 via ethernet and 2 open ethernet ports on the LSS-1.  If I connect the new 5m to the LSS-1, will I be able to view both sonar and structure scan on the HDS-5m?  From what I've read it sounds like the 5m can pull from the HDS-8 transducer mounted on the transom through the LSS-1 via the ethernet connection.  Is that the case?  I'd like to avoid mounting another transducer and save a little money by not having to buy the full HDS-5 model.

I believe that all HDS-M units are mapping only. no sonar. where is your transducer now? reading the bow unit from a transom mounted transducer is'nt the best option. why would you want to read whats 20 feet behind you. do you need mapping on the bow? the HDS 5X is the cheapest HDS and you can link it to the LSS with the sonar transducer on the trolling motor.

Would like GPS up front for staying on spots/breaks. Does it really make that much difference having the transducer on the trolling motor vs using network sonar from the back transducer?

Would like GPS up front for staying on spots/breaks. Does it really make that much difference having the transducer on the trolling motor vs using network sonar from the back transducer?

 

Yes it does if you have small piles and a large boat you can be off a lot.

I have an HDS-8 Gen 2 with Insight HD at the console.  I'm wanting an HDS-5 for the bow.  Does anyone know if I were to buy the HDS-5m if it will share the sonar from the HDS-8?  I have the LSS-1 Structure scan module connected to the HDS-8 via ethernet and 2 open ethernet ports on the LSS-1.  If I connect the new 5m to the LSS-1, will I be able to view both sonar and structure scan on the HDS-5m?  From what I've read it sounds like the 5m can pull from the HDS-8 transducer mounted on the transom through the LSS-1 via the ethernet connection.  Is that the case?  I'd like to avoid mounting another transducer and save a little money by not having to buy the full HDS-5 model.

 

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.

Is there any kind of signal interference to consider when running 2 sonar cones? I have a 17'4" boat, so that would be the distance between them. Any disadvantage in running them both at the same time?

Any time you are running two transducers at the same frequency you will have some interference between the units, although usually it's just cosmetic.  With two HDS units Ethernet-linked, you can run "Network Sonar" which only allows one ducer at a time to be powered and both of your units are reading the same ducer.  The other way to eliminate interference is to just select "stop sonar" on one unit which cuts power to the ducer.