HDS 8 install question

[3andadog]

Hi,

I've bought the HDS 8 and would like to install it in top of my dash. I have a 1800 fisherman so it will be under the glass. Will I need to purchase the external antenna/puck(4000)?

I also will be moving my 332c to the front of the boat. The antenna(2000) is located in the back of the boat and I would like to move it to the front. Does anyone make an adaptor that will mount it behind the 332 so it becomes a one piece unit. I would rather not have 2 separate mounts up front.

Thanks

[PerchJerker]

You should not need the external puck for your HDS, even under the glass.

There is (or was) a RAM mounting plate that would hold the GPS Puck right behind the unit. Lowrance hated it, they recommend mounting your external GPS puck at least 3 feet away from your GPS. I'd make sure it's at least 3 feet away.

Another option is to put a nmea network in your boat, then your 332 would share the GPS position with your HDS-8.

[3andadog]

Okay, if I do go to a nmea network I will not need to power the 332 but I will need to run power to the network, as best as I can tell?

Will I get better satellite coverage if I reuse the 2000 puck in the network? I usually fish Rainy.

[PerchJerker]

You need to power your 332 and you need to power the network.

You can power the network with the power cord for the 332 --- there's two sets of red/black wires in that power cord, 1 set for the 332 and the other set for the network. Just an fyi, you can NOT power the network through the HDS unit.

In terms of gps reception, it depends on where you have them mounted and which gets the best view of the sky. For example, in my boat I have an HDS on the console under the windshield and have a puck in the back near my kicker motor ---- the puck is not in the best location but I had very limited options in my boat. It's about 50/50 whether the network uses the HDS or the puck. I also have an HDS in my bow on a RAM mount, which a really clear view of the sky --- when I have that unit powered on the network almost always uses that antenna.

[3andadog]

Perhaps it would be easier for me just to keep the 2 units stand alone. The 332 will be using my i-pilot transducer, I guess having the puck moutnted 18' behind it is not the end of the world. If I keep this simple nothing can go wrong....right?

[Esox_Magnum]

On my old Eagle 1000C I had the puck mounted on the back of the unit on the mount, worked fine. We used it beteween 2 different boats so was great on either one.

[slammer]

Perch, you seem pretty knowledgable on this stuff. Would you happen to know if I could run my LCX 104 with one of the new HD units? Even if you dont know its still more info than I would get from lowrance.

[PerchJerker]

3andadog --- I've seen GPS pucks within 3 feet of a unit work great, and I've seen GPS pucks within 3 feet of a unit not work at all. The only way to know for sure is to test it there before you put holes in your boat.

[stepping up on my soapbox to make a comment] It's situations like this ..... going against manufacturer's recommendations .... that cause lots of problems and lots of beotching about "things that don't work right" .... even though it's pure and simple user error. You can try it and maybe it will work for you but they recommend against it. [done preaching and getting off soapbox now].

IMO the biggest thing you'd be giving up by not having the units connected through the network is the ability to sync and share waypoints. It's up to you how important that is.

slammer --- your LCX104 is pre-ethernet and pre-nmea2000. The only way you could connect it to an HDS is by the nmea0183 network, which is 4 colored wires you connect between the units. nmea0183 has pretty limited capabilities and has been out of date for quite a few years now.

[Ed Carlson]

Perchjerker...Curious on what do you think?

In this situation by just transferring the shared data/points with a data card is about as simple a solution as required....considering what one would gain trying to net the old to the new?

Thanks,

[PerchJerker]

I agree with Ed -- if you're just trying to share waypoints, it's quick and easy to transfer them via an SD card. It's a lot cheaper too. Setting up a network is usually somewhere around $50-$100, depending on how many Lowrance parts you need to buy.

[Ed Carlson]

Thanks PerchJerker. I highly value your input on questions such as this. Your very sharp on all things involving gadgetry in the marine world.

I suspected the cost to end result gain was not worth the added hassle of splicing in a new NEMA line if one could avoid it.

I would personally reserve that NEMA interaction option for something like a laptop connection to resource other mapping capability's and utility's such as the Contour Elite, or a marine radio interaction, or a like resource.

Thanks again,

[PerchJerker]

Thanks Ed. I like the gadgetry that goes with the lowrance network stuff --- so much of it is plug-and-play stuff. It makes it pretty easy to add or upgrade 1 or 2 items each year ---- the money doesn't add up as fast that way, and there's always something new in the boat

It seems like the most common reason for a nmea network is sharing gps antennas, especially external gps pucks. Other popular reasons are to connect multiple units and share data between them, and to connect temperature sensors and fuel flow sensors and engine data cables, etc. A new nmea device from Lowrance is the Sonic Hub --- an i-pod dock and tuner that you control through your head unit (it's a neat deal if you don't already have a stereo in your boat and want to have some music).

[3andadog]

Thanks for all the input. I'm learning. I like the sonic hub too. I have an older cd/radio but use an antenna to transmit the ipod/zune to transmit to the radio.

I think next years upgrade will be downscan and a hub then link it all.

I just want a full understanding of what I'm doing so I don't fry anything. It seems simple enough with good info.

[slammer]

Thanks for the info Perch. I figured it was outdated. Looks like its time for an update.