I have an older bass boat that I added a Lowrance HDS-9 Live kit to, no active imaging, only the 3-1 transducer. The screen is mounted near the trolling motor but I want to add a second screen and a GPS puck. The second screen would  be the dash so I can idle around to scan and use it for directions to points. Do I need to use a HDS Live screen (they are so expensive)? Can I use a normal HDS screen and have the two networked properly to share mapping/points/etc? Also which puck should I use?

 

I see they will be connected via weather proof ethernet, so I am unsure what kind of compatibility they have across models. Is the transducer specific for the functionality of the head unit?

 

Thanks!

Screens are sonar Head Unit for the dash, you need to purchase new sonar unit and net work them.

Go to the Lowrance Webb site and look up networking sonar units. 

Tom

good tip to check lowrance site for compatiblity, I'd go no older than the HDS carbon units though. they are the previous version before the lives. plenty of good units and can be bought used on different boards. i like having the same units so i dont question settings between the two. if you are going to put at dash you will need another transducer. the elite FS units are good also and can be networked. 

I can't find compatibility on the lowrance site, I checked all the manuals for my version. Also if connected via ethernet, it doesn't seem like I will need another transducer as the manuals have the sonar/radar/mapping being shared if you use ethernet.

 

The lowrance site also has numerous dead links which is frustrating. I emailed them hoping for confirmation on the networking setup and gps puck model.

 

I found a HDS-9 screen only used for an ok-ish price, I bought the entire package for cheaper a few years ago...ugh

I have a Lowrance Elite Ti2 9 on my dash and an Elite FS12 on the bow. The 9’s 3-1 transducer is on the transom & the 12’s is on my Ghost’s nose cone. They’re connected by a NMEA 2000 network, so they share waypoints and ONLY 2D sonar.  The network also shows engine data on my 9.  That’s one thing to consider if you don’t connect a transducer to your dash unit.

 

I run Active Target on the FS12. I don’t need AT at the dash.

 

I don’t have any compatibility issues. 
 

Good luck picking out your second unit.

1 hour ago, DogBone_384 said:

I have a Lowrance Elite Ti2 9 on my dash and an Elite FS12 on the bow. The 9’s 3-1 transducer is on the transom & the 12’s is on my Ghost’s nose cone. They’re connected by a NMEA 2000 network, so they share waypoints and ONLY 2D sonar.  The network also shows engine data on my 9.  That’s one thing to consider if you don’t connect a transducer to your dash unit.

 

I run Active Target on the FS12. I don’t need AT at the dash.

 

I don’t have any compatibility issues. 
 

Good luck picking out your second unit.

Great points, I was just thinking that if I move my 3-1 to the trolling motor I couldn't use it for idle scanning. Thus I would need a second "kit". The Elite FS 9 with Active Imaging 3-in-1is priced more in my range as long as it will network with the HDS-9 Live. I need to find where I can determine what is supported when they are networked, I haven't been able to find a diagram or documentation yet. Thanks for you help!

 

Edit: Cableas has the 10" kit for $999!

2 hours ago, nullbass said:

I can determine what is supported when they are networked

Lowrance uses their own dedicated network and NMEA2000. Units with a yellow connector can be networked together using their hub. 
 

I use the NMEA2000 to share waypoints between my dash & bow.

 

Check Lowrance’s support pages & install manuals for wiring diagrams.

Any Lowrance older than HDS Carbon connected to HDS Live with Ethernet will place the HDS Live in Legacy mode which reduces some capabilities of the Live unit. I believe newer Elite units will connect via Ethernet to Live with no problems.

A older unit can connect to newer unit via NMEA 2000 and can share waypoints only.

5 minutes ago, RFSims said:

Any Lowrance older than HDS Carbon connected to HDS Live with Ethernet will place the HDS Live in Legacy mode

 

Good to know.