More Electronics Questions

[Greg Duggan]

Love this time of year, it always seems to provocate the best question and responces.



So,my question is.

Why do i want to Network my console and bow units?

What are advantages?

I have never had two units compatable to each other before this. So if its going to give me something that i have never seen before i will do it. If it is just for sharing data then i dont really see the advantage. i use my console unit for all the real work and the bow unit to keep on my structure.





GregD

 

[Gary R]

My #1 reason is waypoint sharing. It's nice to be driving looking at the console unit heading to a waypoint then getting on the bow and seeing the same waypoint as well.



If I'm at the bow unit and want to switch transducers to the transducer in back I can. I can save unit settings on one and it makes the same changes on the other. For the cost of an inexpensive cable it's a great feature. At least it is for me.

 

[TritonGlenn]

Quite a few reasons that it's nice, but here is my favorite example:



I'm at the front of my boat, fishing a grassbed. I come across a productive area, and see on my sonar that there is structure beneath the surface in conjunction with the grassbed that is holding a large concentration of fish. I've fished here several times before, but I've never seen this - but it's obviously there.



Choice:



1) Reach down and add a waypoint on my bow unit that also automatically updates my console unit so that next time I drive here, I can just pull right up on the spot and start fishing.



Or



2) Stop fishing, walk to the back of the boat, and enter the waypoint.





Necessary? Nope. But it sure is nice!



All the best,

Glenn

 

[joseph currier]

example,

a spawn tournement crusise the flats mark the beds with waypoints or event markers

use different icons for size.(at the bow)

on tourney day drive from the helm up to the bed then jump up on the bow, no waisting time looking for the fish.

if you pratice efectively you will be competive.

 

[Jim B]

I'm at the front of my boat, fishing a grassbed. I come across a productive area, and see on my sonar that there is structure beneath the surface in conjunction with the grassbed that is holding a large concentration of fish. I've fished here several times before, but I've never seen this - but it's obviously there.



Choice:



1) Reach down and add a waypoint on my bow unit that also automatically updates my console unit so that next time I drive here, I can just pull right up on the spot and start fishing.



Or



2) Stop fishing, walk to the back of the boat, and enter the waypoint.





Necessary? Nope. But it sure is nice!

What Glenn mentioned is the main reason to have them networked. Don't underestimate the value of this at all.



I know this does not apply since you bought lowrance again but one of the things i love about my humminbird setup(other then flawless operation) is the interlink setup. The interlink sits in the middle of the two units and stores the wapyoints so that if one unit if off or not installed it will sync as soon as its back on the network. I don't have to leave both units on unless i want to so managing waypoints across units for me now is literally plug and play.

 

[Greg Duggan]

JimB

Just couldn't help yourself could you

I will fill you in on my Lowrance story soon. I was in a position to have to start from scratch......

By staying with Lowrance, I was able to keep the value of my lms.



So on with my questions. Is the only item required to network these units together a single cable?

Is it plug and play? Being able to toggle the transducers will be nice. Way points storage is a bonus. Only fishing an 18' boat.'that big of a deal to jump back to the console hit the way

Point icon.

 

[Jim B]

Greg,

You know i had to throw that *** in there .... Im still trying to figure out how you got value out of a worthless item :lol:.



Last i remember with Lowrance you had two networking options, the first is the red nema cables and you would need tee's and resistors too. At a minimum you need 2 resisters, two tee's, two short cables to from each tee to each fishfinder and one long one to connect the two tees together.



The other option is ethernet but i have no clue how that works and what cables you need.



Once you have them networked you wont ever want to go back to the old way, its just that handy.

 

[TritonGlenn]

For the LowranceNet (to share waypoints), I'd buy the starter kit (Red Network). Should come with the T's, cables and terminators you need to set up a basic network. Very easy to install. Part number 124-69:



http://www.lei-extras.com/store/search.asp?SearchType=Unit&Unit=HDS-5



Transducer sharing is another thing. You're going to need an Ethernet cable to share sonar pictures, as that isn't transmitted over the LowranceNet. An even easier setup - one big yellow cable from one unit to the other and then the sonars are also networked. Part number varies, depending on what length you want:



http://www.lei-extras.com/store/search.asp?SearchType=Unit&Unit=StructureScan



If you need help, give me a shout.



All the best,

Glenn

 

[Greg Duggan]

I hear you Jim, same as me jabbing you with Marine USA.



Thanks Glenn, I'll order the cables today.

 

[Gary R]

To share waypoints, tranducers and such all you need is the yellow Ethernet. You don't need the N2K network.

 

[TritonGlenn]

Actually, with the HDS units, GRR is right. Prior to HDS, you needed the LowranceNet to share waypoints.

All the best,

Glenn

 

[Greg Duggan]

Ethernet cable was just ordered from 3 Rivers marine. Should have by Tuesday next week.

With any luck the lakes will be soft by next weekend and prhaps i can try out the new HDS units.





Keep your comments to yourself Mr Brown