Can someone please tell me if the transducer for a HDS 9 gen 2 is better than a gen 1 HDS transducer? I have both, would like to know before I change them out. I would appreciate it.

The conventional sonar transducers are no different for any of the HDS models. They all use the same technology. You didn't say if you are asking about the StructureScan transducer. For those, models other than Touch models must have the StructureScan transducer attached to a StructureScan module. For Touch models, the LSS2 transducer can attach directly to the HDS as those models have an integrated StructureScan module. Quite a few people feel that the early StructureScan module with LSS1 transducer had some advantages over the LSS2 attached direct to a unit. Getting StructureScan for a Touch unit via Ethernet to a StructureScan box does work. It is not necessary to install the LSS2 transducer unless you want that one instead. If you do, it does NOT attach to the StructureScan box.

I have the structure scan transducer from the gen 1 HDS hooked to the LSS 1 module, with a touch gen 2. I was wondering if the transducer for the gen2 would be better than the gen1 transducer, maybe better detail. The gen2 works just fine this way. But I can't hook the gen2 transducer to the lss1 box.

The gen2 transducer won't hook up to the lss1 box?

Thanks for your reply, Flippin-Out!

Hopefully someone else will come along to confirm, but I do not believe that the LSS2 can be connected to the LSS1 box.

Some have said that an LSS1 transducer can be connected to a Touch unit, but I also see that Lowrance sells an adapter cable for this. If it works, I'm not sure why Lowrance has an adapter cable as that would not make sense. I understand this is not what you are trying to do, but just thought I would bring it up.

As I said earlier, there are quite a number of people with LSS1 setups that actually prefer them over using an LSS2 transducer with no box. I recall there was one guy who did some tests and posted pics on another board; those showed a bit more sidescan clarity with the LSS1 box I believe. Some things looked no different. I think you are over-thinking it. If it works, use it and fish.

Lss1 ducer with lss1 module, graph is a gen2 12, speed 1.2mph (ducer on the trolling motor) Both ducers were on 455 for comparison, I didn't use 800 because it's cone angle was too small for shallow water.






Lss2 ducer on the transom straight into a gen2 12, same speed as above. Unfortunately, I had the contrast off jus a tad during this experiment; but the lss2 was the sharper image.






You can use the lss1 ducer into a lss2 module, some say it's better and some say it's not. The adapter is a ploy to make money, it's supposed to be a "filter" and yet again some that have bought it said it made their images better and some said it was a waste of money. I have learned to experiment with all of my options and to decide what I think is the best.

Thanks guys, appreciate your help!