Lowrance broadband 3G/4G radar

[theSaltyPuddle]

Anybody have any info on these radar units?  Would it work with an HD-S 5?  From what I can tell it is pretty plug and play.  Would it just be a matter of running power to the dome?

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Radar/

[Threeweight]

A 5" screen is pretty marginal for radar, IMO.  Maybe if you had multiple HDS units, and ran one as a dedicated radar screen.

I have heard very good things about the sensitivity of these Lowrance broadband units.  Capable of picking up crab buoys in the fog.  Here in Oregon, I have heard of folks having them tuned sensitive enough to pick up flocks of birds, which they use to locate feeding Tuna!

I haven't installed a Lowrance unit, but I have helped with a Garmin.  Other than drilling and sealing holes in a hard top, it was pretty straightforward plug and play.

[theSaltyPuddle]

Thanks 3wgt.  I think I'm going to try to find a smokin' deal on one.  I'll likely pick up another FF/GPS unit eventually and make one a stand alone unit when it would be required.

[Chuck Jones]

I was looking at doing the same thing.  I talked to our local Lowrance tech rep and he suggested that I get a used HDS 5X unit which can be picked up for less money because it is strictly a downsight model with no gps capability.  The screen on the HDS 5 is really a bit small to do multi-tasking on.  Although it has the capability to display multiple functions like fuel flow, rpm, gas level, split screens etc...it does get a bit crowded on there.  For this reason, he suggested using another unit to break up the functions, or bite the bullet and go to the HDS 7 or 9.  You can use the other HDS 5X unit for something like side-scan while running the HDS 5 for your downsight(fish finder) and some engine functions displayed by cursoring to different screens....but not all overlaid since it's too cramped.

[LvrWurst 21 SR Skip]

Fished on a guides boat last month and he had the 4G combined with a HDS10 which was simple to use and was super detailed. I am not really knowledgeable about all of the features, but if I were to choose to do it over again on my boat,  I'd go for the 4G and be using it with my HDS 8. As I understand it from my local Electronics Marine supplier it is a plug and a play....just mount the antennae....make the connects and it is ready to go.  J DOO Dad.