Lowrance HDS 12 G2

Really new to TFF and to bass fishing in general. Just bought a '14 Skeeter with HDS 12 G2 at the helm and a smaller 9 at the bow. Right now I'm assuming it doesn't have the 3D scan module since there is no detail at all. I'm guessing it has the 3 in 1 transducer. So I'm wondering if it's worth buying 3d transducer kit to get the features or just bite another bullet and upgrade. If an upgrade is the answer what does that look like? Hummingbird or Lowrance again?
Thank...

You won’t have any benefits from buying the 3d module & ducer on a gen2. Even if it would work, it’s not worth the money.

3 in 1 transducer not compatible with Gen.2

Yep correct, I forgot to write that.

OP, you have either a lss1 or lss2 with a seperate sonar ducer.

Thanks! So it’s old technology the reason why the graphics look so bad.

No sir, if it looks bad, then it’s because it’s not installed properly or something is wrong with the transducer (or as a new user, you don’t know what your doing yet). A picture of what your seeing would be helpful.


Also keep in mind, that there has to be something down there to actually see. Drive by a dam or where some known trees are and see if rocks or branches show.




This is the same technology that you have.

Thanks I agree that I'm on the uphill side of the learning curve. Certainly agree that something has to be there to bounce and have moved to submerged trees trying to generate an image but so far nothing. Will capture an image of the screen. Again, thanks for the info. Wouldn't other systems, ie sonar/depth fail if the trans or system install was at fault?

The Side imaging (SI) & Down imaging (DI) are coming from a seperate transducer than what the regular 2d sonar comes from. So it’s possible that your lss (SI/DI) is going out or not properly setup. A couple pics of your transducer on the boat and from the graph (while in use) would tell us more. Internet diagnosis can be pretty tough, it could be something as simple as a contrast change or more complicated.

Will do but I have only seen one transducer at the transom. It’s about 12-15” long and 3” wide. Ironically the boat came from Boerne Marine/Boats.

Yeah that will be the lss2 si/di transducer. The lss1 was 6” long and the lss2 is 10” long, you have the 2. The regular sonar transducer should be mounted inside the hull, by the drain plug area. They can be hard to find, depending on the boats setup.





If you had a gen3 graph, then there could be all kinds of different transducers; but for the gen2’s there’s really only 2 options. If you were closer, I’d help you out by looking at it with you on the water.


Is it mounted under the step (by the drain plug) or on the jackplate? If it’s under the step, that might explain the problem.

Is the boat in storage or can you get a pic of the transducer location?

With a Gen-2 and either a LSS1 or LSS2, you will want to run your Down and Side scanning at 455KHZ , not 800.

Much Thanks to all that have helped.....I will get out and take a few pics, tinker with the settings and see what happens. I will update this post with images and findings.....

WOW!! PMsent

Haven't made it out to test any new info. But I do have a question if the system has 2 ducers, wouldn't there be 2 options to select under setup? I know of only 1 option under settings.

Transducer selection menu is for 2D Sonar. When you go into down or side imaging mode unit will default to the imaging transducer installed.

Thanks!