I have done this using EasyGPS (Google it - it's a program for your laptop). I was able to rename all my waypoints and then I saved them (853 waypoints) as .gpx files for each individual lake. Put each lake on a SD card and imported the ones I wanted.

Here is the rub though, what ever you import will still show up in your Waypoint library and there is no way to just bring up only one lake on your FF. As far as I know it is not possible. However, you can go into files, select SD card (top or bottom), open 'the lake' file and you can select a waypoint from there but it is cumbersome.

Save each lake's wpts in a separate file. Fork, Roberts, Cedar Creek, etc. Then import only that lake. When the trip is over, then export/save that lake's wpts (if you added any wpts, trails) to the SD card, then delete from the units screen that shows all the wpts. If the next lake is different, then just load that lake's wpts. My units have two slots, so I actually backup to both cards, and later update the computer. So if I was going to Lavon, I would load only Lavon. Those would be the only wpts/routes/trails in my unit BUT all my lakes wpts are still on the SD cards/computer. I do a lot more than this for organizing my files but this would solve your issue.

Problem - I crappie fish so most of my way points are in close proximity of each other (individual brushpiles) and I am having an issue seeing each individual waypoint because of the numbers/name from the other way points. I have renamed all my wps to just the number digits (helped) but since I am now in the 100's it still covers some and makes it difficult to zero down on them.

Question - is there some way to make the name/numbers smaller so they don't cover as many wps? My units are HDS 7 and 9 and both are Touch.

I have gone into Settings - Text Size - Small which only seems to change the size of the Wtr Temp/SOG/Dpth/etc.

I do that by saving my waypoints to an sd card. save them using the lake name then you can choose which file you want to load on your unit

I am installing a elite 5 hdi on my boat. I don't have much experience with the wiring. What is the NMEA cable and do I need it. It looks like a black rubber housing with two red coated wires coming out. There is also a purple chip with it. What do I do with this.

Nmea is for external antennas, just wrap the wires up individually with electric tape so they can't short out.

I just bought my second hds7 to put at the trolling motor. What are the benefits and cost of linking them?

If they are gen2 or gen3 they will share a single map card. If you have the LSS system that will also share. Wypts share & show on both graphs. You can also make them view either transducer, so if you wanted to use the transom ducer while at the trolling motor you could (etc.).

This is done with an Ethernet cable, which I think is about $50ish.


If you are running external antennas then you would need the nmea network as well.

Hummingbird Helix vs. lowrance elite for a kayak? Both with GPS and down imaging. Any opinions? Thanks in advance

Duper - Grout is spot on, having units sharing via Ethernet is a nice feature to enable if you have two units...Nice Work GROUT.

Good Luck.

-Jonathan

Lowrance Question: I have HDS 7 and HDS 10 (Both Gen 1) that are network linked together. My question is, Waypoints saved on the 10 are only showing up on the 7 when both units are powered on. I don�t remember it being like this in the past. Is there a setting to get the units to update and share Waypoints?

Thanks in Advance,
DH

If you only have the NMEA network then what you described is how it works. If you have Ethernet then something is wrong, possibly bad cable.

Thanks for the reply Grout-Stout. It appears you are 100% correct. I was under the impression that only Sonar data was shared via Ethernet. Do you know if I reconnect the Ethernet cable will the waypoints from both units, re-sync and be on both?

Yes sir, hook it up. Automatic wypt transfer and viewing.

what is the difference between HDS 12 Gen 2 w/ Structure Scan and the HDS Gen 3 Combo