Not sure if I can post something from another site but i am not sure what else to do.
I posted this in the electronics section with no answer so thought I would put it here, since all I do is crappie fish

I was on hold with Lowrance support for 1hr and 29 mins. I am trying to get my HDS 8Gen 2 non touch to show my XI5 trolling mtr. I can't seem to find it.
I did find this post on an internet search but can't get any feedback from the site or the person. After the second post was a picture showing the hds with the same screen that a unit has when it has "autopilot" which the gen 2 non touch does not.
Can someone direct me to a solution. Before I get badmouthed about searching for it. I have done my due diligence on searching just can't find a solution

Xi5 Gateway to Lowrance HDS question
I installed an xi5 this weekend. I have a Gen 2 Touch HDS 9 and a Gen 2 HDS 8 (non-touch) on the NMEA backbone with it.
The Autopilot menu shows up as expected on the Touch but not on the non-Touch HDS 8 Gen 2.
Should it? I know the non-Touch is communicating with the xi5 because I can see the heading data changing when I rotate the head (when I investigate the network devices - I see four xi5 data streams)

Maybe the non-Touch doesn't have the Autopilot menu? I see "Steering" pages and such but no Autopilot anywhere.

Can someone enlighten me on what's possible on the non-Touch? I am running ver 4.0 software (the latest)

Then this was posted-
"thanks for nothing you losers - figured it out myself

that's right - a non-touch running xi5"

with a picture showing that it was accomplished.

If not allowed to post it here just delete it.

Thanks Jeff

Do the gen 2's have the yellow connector on the unit for ethernet cable ? if so you will need to connect them to share way points. I don't really understand
why it could not have been done with the nema cable , but it does not. I am assuming one unit on the console and one on the bow.
When searching for brushpiles , using the console unit , It is great to mark a spot , and then go to the spot with the front unit.

good luck , you are going to love the Xi5 .


MO

Thanks Mo, I went out today and it was very frustrating. I hope it gets better lol.

I am so used to foot control. But we will see.
I am in touch with a Lowrance rep so maybe.The xi5 Motorguide advertises that it is compatible with HDS Gen2 non touch AND Gen 2 touch.

Thanks
Jeff

You have EXACTLY what I have .... mine works fine .... I hope you have all the cables and hot wire to the gateway!

OH ..... I did have to do an update ... did you update? (forget exactly what, maybe version 4 or something like that!