Lowrance HDS Carbon Network Question

I‘m adding an HDS Carbon 9” to the bow of my boat. Currently have three 7” Carbon units, two at console and one at bow networked via NEP-2 hub and a Point One antenna via NMEA with all three 7s connected to the NMEA. Since the 9” has two ethernet ports, I can connect ethernet cable from NEP-2 to the 9” and then use the other port to connect to the 7”. My question is whether I need to also connect the NMEA to the 9” ? Plan to use the 9” strictly for sonar and eventually Active Target.

You will want that unit connect to Nmea so you have access to the point 1 which is use to help the pointer on AT. You are talking about adding 1 tee and and a 2ft drop cable done. Beside you cannot predict down the road when something changes and you end up doing it anyway.

Got it. Thanks Larry. Figured that was the way to go but wanted to hear from someone that knows more about these than I do. Appreciate the response.