Lowrance Structure Scan Info Released

[solbes]

Looks like Lowrance announced details on their new side imaging technology. Their HSOforum has most of the details, but I had to look at a few other websites to get pricing. One of these websites listed a suggested retail price of $699 for the add on module to all HDS units. It's not clear to me whether this includes the required add on Ethernet module as well. Certainly higher than I was expecting, but it looks pretty cool. Availability was "later in 2009"

There is a new downscan feature that looks to be exclusive. If anything, all these choices and options will bewilder the heck out of me. Maybe give the fish a break as I fiddle endlessly with the bells and whistles.

Anyone know if they will have bundled HDS units with S.S. already included? Would this be cheaper than buying them separate, similar to the add on broad band sonar thing they did before?

Also, the physical transducer didn't look very large. But I didn't see any dimensions or how this would mount to the transom.

[fishwater]

That downscan looks to be the bees knees.

I agree, the transducer does look problematic to mount..

[JimBuck]

WOW! Downscan looks dynamite! Does anyone know if the HDS units are network compatible with the old LMS-522i's or any of the older non-hds units? I'd like to share waypoints between the two systems if possible. Things should get a lot more interesting in the next few years. Hooray for technology.

[PerchJerker]

The StructureScan module comes with everything you need to connect it, ie. the sidescan transducer, the LSS-1 module (ie. black box), and the ethernet cable.

I haven't seen the transducer in person but what I've heard so far makes it sound easy to mount.

The module has 3 ethernet ports, so if you have up to 3 HDS units they can all show the side-scanning from 1 sidescan trandsducer.

I agree on the downviewing, very nice feature that I think will get a ton of use. The array of possible screen views and split screens looks very very cool as well.

I don't think StructureScan will be bundled with the units. Lowrance has set all their ethernet stuff (ie. sat weather, broadband sounder, radar, side scan) as add-on modules.

HDS and LMS units like the 522 are both network copatible under the NMEA network, this will share waypoints and digital data (but not sonar displays, sidescan displays, or map card data).

As soon as the Structure Scan modules are available we will have them at Pro Fishing Supply!

[Sandmannd]

Where can we see what these are offering? I'd like to see that downviewing. Just at Lowrance's site?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Man Perchjerker, you always seems to have a handle on this stuff. Good job

I bet you enjoy your business, want to trade

[LMITOUT]

Wow! The Downscan feature definitely raises the bar. A few weeks ago I watched some videos on the Structure Scan that they had on their HSOforum but there was no mention of the Downscan feature at that time. That is really neat!

[fishwater]

they had on their HSOforum but there was no mention of the Downscan feature at that time. That is really neat!

Them cheeky bastards, saving the best for iCast.. I been holding off getting a big screen unit since they announced structurescan, kinda thought I would be getting another Hbird. I'm going to brave the potential support desert and order an HDS10. Now all they need is forward scan...

[AaronM]

Wow, if you haven't checked out the Lowrance site I'd go there to check this out. Very cool thanks for the post!

[PerchJerker]

Man Perchjerker, you always seems to have a handle on this stuff. Good job

I bet you enjoy your business, want to trade

[JohnMickish]

But the question remains, after it gets released, how many years will it take before it works? I'm not saying it's not going to work but look at Lowrances track record with new releases over the last couple of years.

[Musky_Madness]

Cool stuff!

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

But the question remains, after it gets released, how many years will it take before it works? I'm not saying it's not going to work but look at Lowrances track record with new releases over the last couple of years.

Maybe they are owned by Microsoft

[Nick Kuhn]

Originally Posted By: mnfishinguy

But the question remains, after it gets released, how many years will it take before it works? I'm not saying it's not going to work but look at Lowrances track record with new releases over the last couple of years.

Maybe they are owned by Microsoft

Just about every company has trouble with new products. Millions of users find bugs and errors much faster than a team of maybe a dozen engineers. Actually Apple is the company you should take a stab at. Last major OSX update bricked quite a few Macs. iPod? Pretty much unusable (as told by it's sales) until the 4th generation. iPhone? Finally can compete in the smart phone market on it's 3rd revision...

[solbes]

Time to market is very important, so I can see why they sometimes release products that aren't 100% bug free. There's a fine line between fixing some minor bugs on the fly and consumer beta testing however. Lowrance seems to be leaning towards the latter in some units.

Their technology is interesting enough to keep me wanting their products though. I'd like to actually see one of these units on the water. If they don't bundle it, there's really no reason for me not to get an HDS in the fall/winter and add the structure scan later when funds permit.

[smallieobsession]

the word must have spread pretty fast as you can't get to the lowrance HSOforum at the moment....every attempt is timing out and I am able to hit any other site so it is their site not my connection......

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Where can we see what these are offering? I'd like to see that downviewing. Just at Lowrance's site?

Utube has it also.

"Lowrance structureScan with Barry Stokes"

Totally awesome

Was thinking about a new bird next year, not so sure now. Maybe I'll wait two years and see how things shake out. Spending that much money, I need to be sure.

- WIWF

[river rat316]

Unless they improve there customer service they will get no where with me, you can call Bird and get a person on the phone as soon as you call, that knows what they are talking about. Lowrance not so much

[bgmny]

The video looked cool, but I'd like to see some fish on one of the screens. Determining species would seal the deal for a purchase for me!

[delcecchi]

Oh please. The 322 didn't work right, and the 522 has its problems as well. making a depth finder work correctly isn't rocket science. Lowrance has been making them for years but seem to have lost the recipe when they went hi tech.

And dealing with EMI in the GPS integrated in the unit or whatever the cause was should have been done before they started selling them.

Lowrance strikes me as being short on engineering and spending their money on endorsements and ads instead.