I use MapSource and haven't been successful in doing this. I've converted the HDS files in all the different formats, converted to different file extensions, and back for MapSource and it is still the same dots. Only a few icons remain the same or I use a substitute icon that kind of matches. For instance, for stumps, 'Diver in area' will retain its icon so I use it for stumps.

We have different computer software so hopefully you will have better luck.

In one of the S/W upgrades for the HDS, Lowrance made significant changes in their .usr file making it proprietary, whereas, it was 'open' before. I haven't been able to do what you want since then. To my knowledge, they have retain the new .usr format in subsequent models.

You would think saving files as .gpx (open) to be used in the unit, Lowrance could have retained the icons. Afterall, that is what .gpx was created for. I even used Lowrance's MapCreate and it didn't retain the icons - go figure.

If ever you're successful, please let me know.

Good luck.

Soooooo I have two hds12 and with in a year one went out lowrance still hasn't replace it month and a half after receiving it and this weekend my other 12 powers up but will not respond to touch so stuck on the accept screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any tips before I send this one back I figure at this rate I might have a graph by next year.

I just bought a brand new 2014 boat. It has two HDS-8s installed; one in the console, one at bow. I still have my Touch-12 and Touch-9 off my old boat. I had the 12 mounted at the bow with both the structure scan and sonar transcucers mounted at the trolling motor. The 9 was at the console with the structure scan mounted on the step at the transom. I liked this set up, but I can see the advantages of even four units hooked up. My question is, can I mount the touch-9 on a ram at the console, and network it with the existing HDS-8s using its transducers. I would also like to mount the touch 12 at the bow using the trolling motor mount transducers, so I can get a true reading of what is directly under me. Will all this work, and how do I network the two 8s and the 9?

Connect the two units you want to share sonar with yellow Ethernet cables and you're good to go. Waypoints will share as well. If the 8's aren't touch run the ducers to the touch units then share with the 8's via Ethernet, no structure box needed that way.

Mine did this once. I re-calibrated the touch screen and voila! Problem solved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGT0UJKjGrE

Make sure your batteries are charged then try recalibrating the unit.

My HDS 8 did that 1 time a friend pushed the accept & enter at the same time, the 3rd try it took it.

New batteries and unit is total lock up won't get off the agree screen I made the call to lowrance there replacing it just have to wait until they have some in stock!

Hey Brad, did you try recalibration??

Hey guys I have had Lowrance Elite 4x mounted on my yak for awhile now and it's starting to act up. As soon as you connect a power source the unit comes on without turning the unit on. If I power it off, it comes back on by itself. It has gotten a good soaking a time or two punching through the breakers down on the coast also.

Any suggestions?

I have a hds12 bout a year old that I just installed. Had it on for about 20 min playing around with it, unplugged it and noticed it was very warm, more so than I thought it should be. Is this normal? Also have a hds5 bout 4 years old that will not power on at all, test light showed it was getting power to it.

how did you get such great images? what settings did you use and where is your xducer mounted?

idk

I bought a HDS 7 gen 3 with my boat and love it. Clear picture and is pretty fast switching between screens and such. I only have the one HDS 7 and a cheaper Lowrance at the front so no networking but I'm happy with the results so far. I am looking at getting a Motorguide Xi5 in a couple of months to network with the HDS7, if it works as advertised it will be fishing gold.....

The reality is that most people don't come close to using all of the features of the new units whether it is Lowrance or Hummingbird. They both provide great pictures and both are well liked by thousands of people. If you ever plan on using a trolling motor networked with one then you need to decide what trolling motor you want because now it is Lowrance/Motorguide or Hummingbird/Minnkota.

Hi all,

I have a HDS 7 gen 3 and would like to know if there is a way to organize my waypoints in separate file folders by lake? It would be nice to have all fork waypoints in one folder, all Cooper waypoints in one folder, all Palestine waypoints in one folder, etc....

My goal is this, select the folder for the lake I'm at so only those waypoints show up so I don't have to scroll through every waypoint I've saved. Is this possible?