I have the HDS 8 Gen 2 unit at the consol. It has Down scan, but it does not have side scan. Side Scan does work on these units, but I only have the one small transducer. If I buy the LSS-2 transducer without the structure box scan, will it work? I have searched high and low on the internet but I can not find any confirmation that all I need is the transducer.

The transducer is $300, but it cost over double that to get the structure scan box. I am not wanting to connect multiple units, I just want to view side scan while trolling from the consol.

Any help is much appreciated.

If the unit is running down scan, then it should be capable of running sidescan. It will not run either unless you have a LSS box. The LSS2 transducer will only work alone with the touch units in my understanding.

Yes, you are correct about the down scan. I have an elite 5 inside the console which I use for the down scan. The unit is not a touch screen. The specs on the Lowrance website say it works with the 8 Gen2, but does not specify touch or not so I assumed it worked with both.

Yes, you need a LSS box to run Structure Scan or "side scan". The new Gen 3 units have the Structure Scan built in though.

The Gen 2 and Gen 3 touch units have Structure scan built in.

I don't know how you would get down scan even with that transducer without the structure scan box unless you have a gen 2 touch unit! I was certain it just wasn't possible to get any imaging!

I do not believe that HDS 8 Gen 2 will do any StructureScan (down OR side) unless an LSS box is attached. As stated, all "Touch" models have built in StructureScan support. I have not bothered to educate myself on what Gen 3 units are capable of as I plan to stick with what I have for a while.

Regardless of which "Gen", all Touch units will support 2D + Downscan if you use the correct optional transducer in place of the standard 2D transducer. Many users choose to do with with a Touch unit mounted at the bow via a transducer on the TM, as I have done. This gets 2D = Downscan from one small transducer that costs about $130.

Touch units will also support StructureScan (down + side) if an LSS2 transducer is attached. If this is done, the downscan from the 2D + downscan transducer is disabled. In other words, you get to choose just one option to go along with the 2D.

Just purchased the strictest scan box and transducer new on eBay for a really nice price. Thanks for the input. Much appreciated. Will try to send an update in a few weeks once I get in installed and a n the water.