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Lowrance HDS7 #11332155 01/08/16 08:27 PM
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bballbk Offline OP
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Hello group!

I recently purchased a boat that came with a Lowrance HDS-7 and was looking for some assistance on setting it up, and understanding what i see on the graphs. I am a first time user of a depth finder/gps and feel pretty dumb when turning it on. Is there any dvds or anything that can help me get started with this unit? I looked on amazon, but those videos get horrible reviews.

I need help with simple things such as what does underwater structure look like vs. baitfish. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Brandon

Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11332265 01/08/16 09:09 PM
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tin man 55 Offline
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there are a lot of screen shots on the forum; start with the crappie section. the screen shots will give you an idea of what fish/trees/baitfish will look like. I think that would be a good place to get started.


2014 Ranger RT-188
115 Mercury Pro-XS
Lowrance Gen-3 units
Ultrex
Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11332992 01/09/16 04:08 AM
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UJC Offline
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Just as Google is your friend, Yahoo is your 2nd cousin. Search it - there is a boat load of information you seek on both. Also, if you didn't get the manual, it is available on the Lowrance website for downloading - it is free. Contrary to what most do, read the manual first. Highlight the stuff you don't understand and search for these on yahoo and Google (to give you fishing forums {like TFF) with that info) and to also play around with the feature not understood when on the water (bring it with you of course). Also, it is really hard to not fish when you first use it, but at some point, the sooner the better, leave the rods alone and only 'fish' with the unit for a day. Well, maybe 1/2 day as it is too difficult to not fish.

It sounds from your post you're not real familiar with a fish finder. Getting educated first will fast forward your learning curve before ever getting on the water. Also, look up 'simulator' in the manual and use it inside at your leisure. To do this, you will need a 12v battery or DC/AC adapter and a power cord. This will also help with getting use to the unit, menus, and sub-menu's, once again speeding up the familiarity of the unit.

There's a lot more but I hope this is a helpful starting point. Good luck.

Edited: I meant YouTube, not Yahoo!

Last edited by UJC; 01/11/16 07:20 PM. Reason: YouTube, not Yahoo
Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11333069 01/09/16 04:59 AM
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Flippin-Out Offline
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Another great resource is YouTube. YouTube is absolutely loaded with instructional videos specifically for Lowrance HDS units. Please note that you do not have to find videos specific to the HDS7 for them to be of value to you. What you get on the screen is still the same. On YouTube, search "Lowrance" and when you find a good one you like, look for other videos by that same member.

Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11333643 01/09/16 04:37 PM
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akaslyguy Offline
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Also look up Dr. Sonar DVD's. They are really good.

Joe

Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: Flippin-Out] #11333763 01/09/16 05:42 PM
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UJC Offline
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Originally Posted By: Flippin-Out
Another great resource is YouTube. YouTube is absolutely loaded with instructional videos specifically for Lowrance HDS units. Please note that you do not have to find videos specific to the HDS7 for them to be of value to you. What you get on the screen is still the same. On YouTube, search "Lowrance" and when you find a good one you like, look for other videos by that same member.


Correct - I intended YouTube; apologies for the brain burp.

Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11334006 01/09/16 08:05 PM
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Also a great option is to contact Slade Dougharty on here. For a couple hundred bucks he will take you out in your boat on Lake Fork and set up and update all your electronics. You can't ask for a better introductory education than that.

Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11341303 01/12/16 06:15 PM
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bballbk Offline OP
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Thanks for all the help guys!

Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11345764 01/14/16 05:51 PM
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californiabass22 Offline
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youtube is a big help, but you can also hire a guide to take you out in your boat and fish, and teach you how to read the graph.


californiabass22
Project Engineer - VCC LLC.
www.vccusa.com
Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11347424 01/15/16 01:42 PM
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bballbk Offline OP
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Hey Guys,

Everything i look up online seems to be hds7 gen-2 or gen 3. is there an easy way to see exactly which model i have? Does anyone know if the gen2 update will work on the gen1?

Cheers!

Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11349704 01/16/16 12:19 PM
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Rick Collis Offline
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The Lowrance on the front of a Gen 1 is gray and on a Gen 2 it is white. Gen 2 updates will not work in a Gen 1. Here is a complete list of updates. Good luck
ftp://software.lowrance.com/
Gen 1 updates will be listed as HDS


Rick Collis
903-473-8820
Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11365265 01/23/16 06:21 PM
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bballbk Offline OP
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Thanks for all the help. I went out and played with it a bunch, but I still cannot get clear graphs. I've played with the sensitivity and multiple other settings. The only thing I can come up with is the transducer isn't optimal for the unit. When looking on the tag for the sonar, the transducer number doesn't come up in the list in the settings of the unit. Can this make a difference?

Re: Lowrance HDS7 [Re: bballbk] #11365317 01/23/16 07:02 PM
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grout-scout Online Sleepy
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Possibly, could be worn out too.

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