Has anyone heard whether or not Lowrance plans to make the 3D available on the Gen 2 units? The 3D videos I've watched look intriguing, but the Gen 3 unit prices do not. :-)

Of course they won't.

I thought there website said it would work with gen 2 touch with the new 3d sonar hub and ducer

You will get better side imaging and more distance; but the 3d feature won't work on gen 2's.

Grout-scout is correct. Their marketing language is a bit sly if you don't exactly follow and comprehend it. They should have just been blunt about it and said "Note: 3D features only work if you pay full jacked-up MSRP for an entire new system."

I suppose I'll wait for awhile to see what develops. The HDS 12 Gen 3 with 3D would run about 4K right now. I just can't justify that expense.

How long will it be before Humminbird releases a competitive feature??

Not to hijack the thread, but I'm new to sonar. I don't really know how to read graphs, I've just always bought the cheap fish finders. I'm looking at getting a gen 2 or 3 this year. Would the 3d structure scan be worth the money or should I just buy somebody's gen 2? What would you do?

I've seen the videos and they look really cool, I just wonder if I should just buy top of the line or shoot for the gen 2 and wait a few more years to get top of the line.

Top of the line only lasts for about 6 months to a year in this industry. They are always coming up "bigger and better" stuff to get our money. Just a couple of years ago HDS 8s and 10s were top of the line. Now they are two series old. In another year they'll be obsolete.

Pull the trigger on what you can afford to buy. I don't think the 3D is something that you need right now. You will be so amazed and occupied with the Side Image and Down Image that'll you be plenty happy. Maybe a good happy medium might be to buy a Gen 3 so that when you do get accomplished with the SI and DI you will have the option to buy the 3D module and get to the next level.

Eagle, The gen2's were on close out for superb prices, then the prices jumped back up a lot. I don't think many here will benefit from a gen3, if you just turn your graph on and go fish then I don't think many would benefit from any of the current top of the line freshwater graphs or even the last 5 years of graphs. You gotta learn what they will do to benefit.

VERY true.

Buying a new graph is a tough decision. There are a ton of options out there.

If I was starting from scratch and decided I could live without the 3D, I would look at the Humminbird Helix. SI for the Console and DI for the bow.

Living without 3D for Lowrance, I would try to find an HDS Gen 2.

If I wanted the latest, greatest, I would purchase the Lowrance Gen 3 with the 3D. I really think it would help me picture what's on the bottom and how the fish are related to the cover. It's also nice to see how deep the fish are in the water column off to the side of the boat.

That's just my personal thought process. I agree with the others that side imaging and down imaging will keep you busy for awhile.

With all that said I probably won't keep the boat to see the end of the year. Fish finders are one of those things where you could keep it too. I'm basically refurbishing a boat to flip. I've found boats sell better fully rigged and cheaper than buying a 2015. I also use the boat and get some fun out of it while I refurb and wait for it to sell.

It's one of those things to the right guy leaving the fish finder on there would be worth it. But then there are some guys who are pretty brand specific when it comes to finders.

Agree with you!

Yep, you hit a valid point on boats that will be flipped. If you put $3K or more into electronics on a boat, a motivated buyer could come along for JUST that boat, only to discover it has the brand of electronics he just can't stand. You may limit your sales opportunities by locking in on a brand.

I bought a Ranger 521 last year, but avoided boats with Humminbird because I already had some Lowrance gear I wanted to move onto to the boat I bought.

You might put a RAM ball (2.5 inch) at the console to be left there regardless. You could install X brand without the transducer and price the boat with/without the unit. If the buyer takes it with the unit, install the transducer. Otherwise, remove the unit without damange and offer it on the next boat.