HDS 8 chartplotter help

Hi all. just seeking some help and advice on the HDS8 gen 2. I've decided to go with one of these units as I currently have an older model Lowrance and the GPS is good and easy to use but I want to update. Firstly I'm running a Furuno 585 with 1kw tranny can I mount the HDS tranny next to or near it without interferring with the airmar? Secondly I need info on the cards gold,platinum what's better etc. any other info appreciated.

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snappermiles's picture

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Date Joined: 05/11/10

dont bother with platinum

Wed, 2012-10-31 21:01

for the price difference its not worth the extra coin! ive had both cards in my unit and the gold is great!! as for transducers i have my hds mounted about 400mm away from my furuno with no interference they both work great together!! but i have heard of some people getting so feed back between the two!

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fisho-ron's picture

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Date Joined: 26/09/09

jeffi run the platinum mate

Wed, 2012-10-31 21:52

jeff

i run the platinum mate and i do agree with you some what, alot of shit that you just will not use.

on your gold card...do you get shading around contour lines and away from them as well?? if that makes sense

its almost like more contours of darker colors without the lines.....be interesting if this is only on the platinum??

cheers

snappermiles's picture

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Date Joined: 05/11/10

shading

Thu, 2012-11-01 07:08

in the shallows i get different colours for different depths but after 30 metres you just get the contour lines! as for running them side by side you probably will run them together, i use mine together so if i pick up a good spot whilst moving i can go back on the hds sounder and mark the spot ive just found!

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fisho-ron's picture

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Date Joined: 26/09/09

thanks jeff, sounds like the

Thu, 2012-11-01 15:45

thanks jeff, sounds like the platinum might have extra little bits here and there, i get shading right out to 100mtrs and has helped me find ground on ocassions.

but if its worth the extra coin im not sure, i got mine at a super package deal price at the time and thats what it come with.

cheers

sea-kem's picture

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Date Joined: 30/11/09

Good info Jeff. Thanks for

Wed, 2012-10-31 21:29

Good info Jeff. Thanks for that.

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fisho-ron's picture

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Date Joined: 26/09/09

your not going to use both

Wed, 2012-10-31 21:32

your not going to use both sounders at the same time so i would put them next to each other.

the hds has a option for stopping the sonar when using the 585.

chris raff's picture

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Date Joined: 09/02/10

I have a 1kw and 600w units

Wed, 2012-10-31 22:27

I have a 1kw and 600w units running together with no issues...the only thing I did was to keep the cabling separated , running up opposite gunnel sides apparently helps somewhat...different branded units to yours though

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Browny's picture

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Gidday Sea-Kem,Like Jeff, I

Thu, 2012-11-01 04:50

Gidday Sea-Kem,

Like Jeff, I run the 1kw and 600w side by side without probs. Mine are only 175mm apart. Normally I dont run the 585 and HDS concurrently, so dont have an issue.

The few times they are both on together I haven't had issues.

Cheers.

Mal.

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sea-kem's picture

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Date Joined: 30/11/09

Thanks guys. Like Ron said I

Thu, 2012-11-01 05:23

Thanks guys. Like Ron said I wouldn't be running them both at the same time the Lowrance for the charplotter primarily and as a backup sounder.Can anyone recommend anywhere local to buy the unit? Was thinking Witworths if not I'll look online.

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r.gates's picture

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Date Joined: 15/11/10

Lowrance

Thu, 2012-11-01 08:14

G'day Andy

Talk to Michael at Chivers Marine in Bibra Lake (ph 9434 1822)...he's got all the latest Lowrance (and other brands) toys on display.

Would you be selling your other units and what are they....I'm in the market for a Lowrance HSD5m or similar to run side by side with an HDS5x, as backup for my Furuno 620 & HDS8m, for our upcoming Kimberley boat trip.

Sticking with the Lowrance gear allows me to network them all together.

regards
rusty...

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sea-kem's picture

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Date Joined: 30/11/09

Hi RustyWill do. I've

Thu, 2012-11-01 09:42

Hi Rusty

Will do. I've currently got an LMS334C which is a fairly small screen but not a bad unit. So I'm guessing you'll be chasing something a bit more up to date. I love looking for new toys ;)

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r.gates's picture

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Date Joined: 15/11/10

Toys

Thu, 2012-11-01 20:33

Thanks for the offer Andy, but the 5m is what will fit my needs the best.

Have fun looking at and playing with all the new toys....let us know what you finally decide on, why you bought what you did and post a pic of it mounted proudly on the dash 

regards
rusty...

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sea-kem's picture

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Date Joined: 30/11/09

Just an up date on this. I

Sat, 2012-11-24 16:50

Just an up date on this. I have bought a HDS9 gen 2 with structure scan etc. It's a touch screen unit with hot keys. Ended up buying the platinum card cause as we all know a fool and his money are soon partying he he . Going offshore for two weeks next week so will take the manuals with me to study up. Just need time upon my return to install the bloody thing before Xmas.

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fisho-ron's picture

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Date Joined: 26/09/09

good one mate,from talking

Sat, 2012-11-24 19:52

good one mate,

from talking with yourself and others there is a differance in the cards, shading and other features,you should also have the hotspots on your new card, weather they are any good or not needs to be seen and would like to here.

be keen to here the machines user freindleness once installed??

they are very easy to use and set up.

cheers mate