Lowrance HDS 10... Worth it?

[addicted]

Thinking of upgrading my chart plotter combo and I am weighing out the pros and cons between the lcx 110/112 and the new high def model.... I realize the 110/112 is discontinued, but if it's not worth the extra cash to get the hds10, I'm sure that I could track one down... Any info would be great.. Thanks.

 

[bananas]

Love my hd 10 i was going through the same thing as you and i went for it in the end and glad i did.the sounder is amazing you would'nt be disapointed

 

[mr killer]

I went for the hds7 save a little dough, but I'm really happy with it too and the platinum+ chip is amazing,

 

[islanderguy]

We have a LCX 110 in my dad's boat and an HDS8 (with Platinum+ card) in my boat. We've used the LCX 110 for about 4 years without any problems and the HDS8 for about 6 months. Both units are amazing and you'll be satisfied with both.

Is the HDS10 worth the extra $1500? If you're an electronics nut like myself and love having the newest and best technology, yes it is. However, if you just turn on your gps/sounder and leave it, the LCX unit will do the job.

Looks like Lowrance is coming out with some more goodies for your HDS unit too...Structure Scan.

http://www.lowrance.com/StructureScan/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlO6naQL0m0

 

[Slabby20]

I have the LCX 112C. About a year and a half ago I added the Broadband Sounder 1 to it. The Broadband makes a huge difference on the sonar performance and I'm extremely happy with the set up. The HDS 10 has the Broadband built in so that's a big difference when comparing the HDS-10 to a LCX unit without having added the Broadband to it. If you were to buy the Broadband for the LCX unit it would be roughly $600. My advice is go with the newest and the best HDS 10.(Easy for me to say since it's not my money) If you could find a closeout LCX 112 and BBS-1 that would be my 2nd choice. Good luck.

 

[mlaag]

If get a 10 get the 200/50 transducer as it does make a difference in the pic
The structure side scan is only good to about 100'but the down scan is really good

 

[Mudslide]

Lowrance recommends the 85/200 transducer for less than 900 ft of depth. Anyone seen the two working side by side to see what the difference between the two of them is?

 

[PW_Homer]

Few advantages with HDS units.

Faster screen draws/refresh, quick access keys to functions(8" and larger units), internal GPS attenna, units now will let you run any external model gps attenna(Nema 2000)from any vendor as long as nema 2000 (Great if your attenna fails you can use you friends Garmin),can add Lowrance new external GPS attenna GPS4000 series,built in Brodband Sounder (leaves open network port on unit so can cannect that to another unit and share sonar, older units use port to connect to Broadband sounder so you would need a network box expansion to share sonar), can add structure scan and other devices.

I won't upgrade as have 8" LCX37C with broadband sounder. I say go for it. Or you can save money and go for the 110/112 with a Broadband sounder and the cash you save, buy a good thru hull transducer. Transducers are the best investment and improvement to any sonar and most over looked. Most stock units supplied, work kinda OK and that is about it.

/fishon

 

[porcupine]

I got a HDS5 as the others were overkill for a 12' tinny. The HDS series is really top notch and you won't be disappointed.

 

[addicted]

Thanks for all the great information guys! I was leaning towards the hd10, but i hadn't talked to anyone that owned one. Looks like i'll spend the extra cash... (i'm a techno junkie too) Does anyone know how well the downscan works in depths over 200ft? It might be a really good tool when i'm lookin for good structure for hali fishin. Or is that your secret Trev? lol

 

[bananas]

It works great i can see my anchor hit the bottom.and shows great structure.

 

[addicted]

perfect! thanks again!

 

[Mudslide]

I have an HDS-5 for sale new in box in the buy and sell forum. The HDS-5 does everything the 10 does including capacity for running Radar, satellite weather and Structurescan/Downscan. Check out the latest in-fisherman mag article on Downsacan, it's awesome. Make me an offer.

 

[Fishinnut]

I have both the LCX113 and the HDS 10. The HDS10 now comes with the 2 year warranty. The LCX113 is a quality unit. If you go with it make sure it has the newest software upgrade if you tie the broadband sounder to it. It will cause havoc with your VHS radios. The upgrade takes it away. I had three broadband sounder boxes that all went bad on mine. I upgraded to the HDS10 with the built in broadband sounder. No problems. I installed the structure scan to it. It works down to 250' feet in saltwater. I plugged it into the same cable that was left in from my broadband sounder. At first I had problems and traced it back to a faulty on/off switch I had installed. So the bad switch might have burned up the Broadband sounder.
There are lots of options you can add to the HDS such as structure scan, Sirius weather/sea surface temperatures to it also and the broadband radar.
But I like the LCX113 just as well. You will have to learn a new language if you go to the HDS and were an LCX fan. Different names for things such as trackline extension. Now heading extension. Adding the broadband sounder to it really turns this into a top notch unit.

The only reason I bought the HDS10 was due to that faulty switch or I never would have bought it. The clear screen of the bottom is second to none.

So what the other guys above said are true. Both are quality units. The HDS no longer needs the external antenna either. Its built in and goes through two layers of my fiberglass roof easily.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[beak]

Have a few other questions for you guys.Just bought a HDS 7 for the rear helm.The unit came with the 83/200 khz transducer but I am switchhing it to the 50/200khz. The GPS unit excepts both right? And also where did you find your side scan modules and do you then have to change your transducer again? What's the cost of the modules?