lowrance hds 10

hi guys my boat is in getting some l.e.d. lighting fitted and a lowrance hds10 at the moment are they as good as i hear?   cheers


Ryan C's picture

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hds 10

Mon, 2010-09-06 06:36

also how deep can i expect the unit to work with the 83/200 transducer??

STEVE231's picture

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HDS 10

Mon, 2010-09-06 19:24

Ryan, I used my new HDS 10 unit for the first time on the weekend. I found I spent a lot of the day fine tuning, once it was sorted though the picture and definition was far superior than my previous LCX unit. The definition at speed was far better than I've been used to, as I would normally have to slow right down to get a good reading. I think after a few trips and getting the unit totally sussed, it will be a very handy tool to own.
I have no idea of the capabilities of the 83/200 transducer, but I would think that you will be better off with a 50/200 down the track, I guess it all depends on how deep you fish as well.
The only thing that I was a little disappointed with, was the slow update rate of the GPS side of things. I had been previously made aware of this  on this forum. I think I will purchase a LGC 4000 module, and run an external antennae which will resolve this issue.
All in all, I am very happy with the new unit and looking forward to using it to it's full potential.

meersy's picture

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which card

Mon, 2010-09-06 18:58

Which card have you got for the gps

STEVE231's picture

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I'm using Navionics Gold

Mon, 2010-09-06 19:25

I'm using Navionics Gold

chookc's picture

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hi steve

Mon, 2010-09-06 19:34

Quick question re hds 10  the refresh rate is slow  is that due to the internal antena.

 

Are you in a open boat / bimi top and clears or a ali or fibreglass hard top..

 

reason for question is my previous unit had an evxternal antena but have upgraded via warrenty to the hds 10 but they don't come with external and i was told i shoudn't need the external even though I have an ali hard top..

 

 

STEVE231's picture

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chookc

Mon, 2010-09-06 19:57

I believe that the update is slow due to the internal antenna. The only thing I have above the unit is a bimini top, so there's no real obstructions but still doesn't update as quick as the previous unit. The LGC 4000 module is an optional extra, and not all that cheap. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on how it performs in comparison to your old unit. I just seemed to struggle to get us on specific drifts on the weekend.

Posts: 9358

Date Joined: 21/02/08

You don't need an external

Mon, 2010-09-06 20:08

You don't need an external antenna, but its not about needs is it? If you had one, ask for one, they're not a cheap addon. Steve has a walkaround, so a soft top at worst.

IIRC, they haven't updated the navionics platinum content for WA over the gold, so save your bucks.

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STEVE231's picture

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Jamie,

Mon, 2010-09-06 20:18

So why the slow update then? When I say update I am referring to how long it takes to recognize my position whilst trying to set up a new drift. It does, in these early stages seem to take longer than my previous unit. Both John's and mine opinion after Saturday.

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Date Joined: 21/02/08

I just heard the external

Mon, 2010-09-06 20:32

I just heard the external antenna worked better than the one inside. I guess its the old story about nothing for nothing?

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STEVE231's picture

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Sorry mate, I thought you

Mon, 2010-09-06 20:38

Sorry mate, I thought you were disagreeing with me. I was sure that you even told me that a while back. Like you said it is not a necessity, but a add- on as such. 
Just me not reading the posts properly.

chookc's picture

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Date Joined: 07/01/10

yeah i had a North star m84 unit previous..

Mon, 2010-09-06 20:47

It shat itself three times in three months..  each time they fixed and replaced on the last two ocassions with new units..  on the 4th time they gave in and offered me a deal on the hds10 I couldn't refuse.  they couldn't guareente e the m84 wouldn't die again and with only a month or two left on warrenty it was a no brainer...

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Fishing its very easy to

Mon, 2010-09-06 20:49

Fishing its very easy to confuse needs and wants, Wink

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Ryan C's picture

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hds 10

Tue, 2010-09-07 15:44

thanks guys , has anyone had the hds 10 in deep (over 150m) water and can tell me how it performs? cheers

fisho-ron's picture

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hey steve i have the

Tue, 2010-09-07 16:15

hey steve

i have the platiunm card in mine and i had no probs at all on the weekend with it updating, twice as fast as my navman.

i found on saturday looking at my drifts, they were changing every 1/2 hr,

 in 1 spot where we had about 6-8 drifts, the  lines looked like your mr squiggle pic(every dirrection) as soon as we start to move the cursor turns to the right way we are going.....if that makes sense.

 

is it possible its got to do with the card?

 

i am 100% positive i could wright my name in a track its that good!

chook...i have the soft top whith clears all round and my head unit sits in the centre under the glass windscreen.

cheers ron

fisho-ron's picture

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Date Joined: 26/09/09

also to add.... i fire my

Tue, 2010-09-07 16:19

also to add....

i fire my unit up inside my house with a 12v power supply and it locks onto the sat usally within 30secs.

when on full zoom you can see track lines from where i have been moving around on my seat(the cord is about 8ft long so i can whatch telly as well)

cheers

chookc's picture

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cheers

Tue, 2010-09-07 16:22

I am plkanning on getting out this weekend will ket you now how it goes under the hard top...

STEVE231's picture

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Ron, I think that I am just

Tue, 2010-09-07 16:44

Ron, I think that I am just used to an external antenna, I am not sure about the update rate on the LGC 2000 module which I previously owned, but after looking into it, the optional LGC 4000 module for the HDS units will update up to 5X p/second when, if you look at the specs of your unit you will see that the internal antenna only updates 1X p/second. I would say that a external module would make a fair bit of difference, but again it would depend on what you are familiar with.
chookc, I'm positive it will work fine for you, all that I'm saying is I am used to a quicker update on current location. I can't wait to get out some more and get it totally sussed, once sorted it will be a great unit.

lowrance's picture

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HDS10

Wed, 2010-09-08 23:20

I think the hds10 is a ripper of a unit, with internal antenna that locks on quicker than the older lgc2000 and 3000 its a great package, Also i have seen it working to 300m in 200khz on a 200/50khz transducer though. Steve sounds unusual that yours is dropping in and out and takes a while to lock on. Hmmm i have seen em working on my mates boat a Boston Whaler with glass hard top and works fine. maybe take it back to the guy you bought it from. If it was purchased from the states be carefull cause lowrance are doing all sorts or weird stuff with grey imports to make life difficult for the people who purchase OS. But also for the alloy hard top i recon you will need to go external antenna at around $500 with starter kit its a good way to go. hey Chook who did you that deal?

STEVE231's picture

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I have no issue with it

Thu, 2010-09-09 05:54

I have no issue with it locking on, it is the update speed that I'm thinking is slower. The unit locks on much quicker than my old LGC2000, but I don't think it refreshes the screen as quick. The unit was purchased here and after hearing what Lowrance are going to do to protect local dealers, I think purchasing here is the only way to go.
All in all, a very impressive unit.

Posts: 1

Date Joined: 23/12/09

G'day Ryan ,   i have used

Thu, 2010-09-09 03:14

G'day Ryan ,

 

i have used the HDS10 in 500m , worked well. Didnt loose the bottom once but it was a calm day.

Ryan C's picture

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lowrance hds 10

Thu, 2010-09-09 13:59

thanks genesis, that was the answer i was looking for, the thread got a little side tracked for a while , first time i couldn't get a straight answer from the fishwrecked crew . cheers mate

boogsy's picture

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i have a hds 5 and i think i

Thu, 2010-09-09 16:13

i have a hds 5 and i think i love it

chookc's picture

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what can I say...

Sat, 2010-09-11 19:34

F......;n Awsome....    tested the hds10 for the first time today and was awsome..

 

Easy to use and no issues with the internal antena and the ali hardtop..  my old m84 unit the sounder dropped out at 16 knots and above..

Today I was doing 38knots in 17 meters of water and never skipped a beat...

 

Just need to learn how to remove some clutter from the sonar image and learn what is actually good ground and wghat is fish weed etc..

Anyone who can help out with tips would be greatly appreciated.  Not asking for your spots but what to look for on the sounder colour wise etc..

fisho-ron's picture

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hey chookc i have spoke with

Sat, 2010-09-11 21:08

hey chookc

i have spoke with steve231 about this as well, would be interested knowing what your settings are because i was losing quality pic at 18+knts.

i need to play with it a bit more.

i have had it on genaral use but next time i will try deep water and spend some time playing with it.

cheers ron

chookc's picture

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Date Joined: 07/01/10

pretty basic

Sat, 2010-09-11 21:59

I was just using the settings it came out the box with only played arounf with the sensitivity up and down sitting around 70 % at the moment but still a lot of clutter...

be good to know if the fish show up as a black or red spot on the ledges etc...