This Bobby....Be patient and lets get some reviews in before diving in.

If you have a Gen2 Touch unit the spotlightscan transducer will be all you need as the touch models have the sonarhub technology for the spotlightscan transducer built in.

For those that have the traditional HDS (non touch) models it will require the spotlightscan transducer and sonarhub which replaces your LSS2 structurescan module box.

Lowrance unveiled two new products for 2014 at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. The first will pique the interest of anglers who fish from the bow with a cable steer trolling motor with a new transducer and functionality called SpotlightScan. SpotlightScan gives the angler the ability to scan outward with a sweep of the trolling motor head.

The onscreen guide lines on the SpotlightScan show white when you�re sweeping at a good speed and red when you�re sweeping too fast to ensure you�re getting a good picture. The best part is that anglers already using the Lowrance HDS Touch units, can just install the new transducer and plug and play. The new transducer does Sonar, StructureScan, DownScan and now SpotlightScan. Truly enabling you to see fish and cover all around you under the surface at an affordable price point and it works with both Minn Kota and MotorGuide trolling motors.

Click here to read the white paper on the new SpotlightScan http://www.lowrance.com/Root/Lowrance-Documents/US/Spotlight.pdf
Anglers will install a sensor on the foot pedal of a cable steer trolling motor and put the transducer on the trolling motor head. Then either hook direct to the back of an HDS touch unit or hook to their other new technology, the SonarHub. The sensor on the foot pedal connects to the NMEA backbone to transmit scanning speed to the units, etc.

The SonarHub is much more than just a way to connect the new SpotlightScan to HDS units without touch screens. It�s a new and improved sonar addition to your HDS network that enables Chirp technology to give better separation and clearer sonar interpretation to your HDS units. Chirp technology really excels in deeper water and higher speeds, by using multiple frequency scanning to produce ultra-clear displays of what�s under the water.

You can install it quickly, and it gives you constant feedback so you know you�re always getting a good sweep with your trolling motor head so you get a good picture on your unit.

Have gen 1 HDS 8 and 5, I see screen shots of SI/DI and sonar online that are incredibly clear, Iv searched online, watched the Dr sonar video on setting it up and it never looks as good as online
Any one have any suggestions of something I might be missing or can point me in the right direction.

One answer is clear clean water. Clear water will give better images. If I go to Canyon lake I get pretty good images, if I go to Choke they get a bit blurry. Also run the lss1 transducer on 800. If you have the LSS2, which I don't think you do since you have gen 1 graphs; but if you have lss2 run it on 455.

I have a Gen 2 Touch 9. I am looking for a front graph and am confused with all the different products and their interoperability. I understand the Touch units have the SonarHub or Structure Scan capability built in. A Gen 2 touch 7 obviously would work on the front and prevent me from having to buy any of the 'boxes'. However that price is a little above the budget I want to spend on the front graph.

My question is what graph would you guys recommend to network with the 9 touch that will also provide me 2d, Downscan and GPS. Also what transducer would you recommend?

I would prefer a 7 inch unit, but that is where my dilemna comes in. The HDS7 Gen2 is 850 bucks and you add the SonarHub at 599, you might as well buy the 7 touch..... Of course then you can't use the 'Chirp' but really, how much will 'Chirp' help in our shallow lakes aside from graphing fish at 50mph.....

Thanks in advance

Joe, if you buy a Touch you can buy a HDI transducer that will give you 2d sonar & downscan. I think it's around 200 bucks. It will only work with the Touch graphs and the Elite series. Have you looked at the Elite series? $700 bucks but not the same quality as the HDS series.

I like the price point of the Elite, but not sure I like that it's NMEA only and not Ethernet. I worry about it handcuffing me down the road......

I'm unsure if I will be interested in Spotlight Scan or 'CHIRP' in the future either, but I don't think the Elite will do that correct?

It's a tough decision because that is a nice unit at that price....compared to anywhere from 1200 dollars for a used HDS7, Structure Scan and a Ducer or 1500 dollars for the 7 Touch.

Give me a call Joe. I would be happy to assist you. "if you are not in my list of v/mails I have not got to yet"

Yes the Elite sure is a great price compared to the others but there are a few drawbacks. Ones I've read or can think of off the top of my head: no Ethernet as you mentioned, only 1 year warranty vs. the 2 on the HDS, not same quality as the HDS, I've read several complaints from guys who say they can't get good images from the Elite .

You are probably going to be happier if you wait and save enough to get what you really want. I'm thinking another Touch???? With another Touch you won't need a sonic hub or an LSS box. You get plenty of Ethernet ports plus NMEA2000 and the Spotlight won't require a Sonic Hub either.
Do yourself a favor and call David at Shutup-and-Fish, great guy that can really help you out with various options.

Thanks for the help guys, I'll give David a holler this afternoon.

is this bass or what? I'm new to this structure scan

Does the LSS Structure Scan HD module get hot? Is it OK to mount it directly to the carpet?

It may get warm to the touch but it will not harm the carpet.

Ok guys going to update my bird units and think I may give lowrance a try again after my latest up date making my units [censored],, so going with a HD12 on the back and a 9 on the front any suggestions on what I will need to network these units and any extra add on? shut up and fish shot me a pm on prices please and thanks for any advice guys I am new to lowrance units as I have been running birds for some time now.