Posted 12/9/2011 12:16 PM (#528020 - in reply to #527843) Subject: RE: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin
Thanks for posting the links. I'm very glad that Lowrance has gone to a quicker processor. Remembering you telling us the slow processors of gen one were the nature of the beast due to 'lots more info to process', the pros I talked to and myself knew it wouldn't be long before they had that issue resolved with a speedier processor. While my only wish is that my gen one 7 was speedier, I'm glad I waited to upgrade the big console unit. If they offered lakemaster for the new ones, it wouldn't be a difficult decision. For now, hope the 111 hangs on for awhile.
With that said, will the gen 2 units be compatible with the pre 2011 lakemaster chips? Also, does double the memory mean 10,000 waypoints now storable?
Posted 12/9/2011 6:19 PM (#528093 - in reply to #528090) Subject: Re: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI
I've been told the new Gen 2 units have the same processors as the Simrad units which are mainly used in saltwater. Here is a video that will show you a little on just how snappy they are.
Watch for a video sometime later next week, we'll be shooting some video of the new Gen 2 units this weekend!
KirtH
Posted 12/12/2011 10:33 AM (#528383 - in reply to #528093) Subject: Re: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
I got to spend some time on the water Sunday with Chris Meyer and the new Gen 2 HDS, impressive! You musky will love the Structure Map you can record it and save it to a chip so now you have your own detailed picture map and you can do multiple areas, you can then use this along with your contour mapping chips, it uses both simultaneously. You can then pass this chip to another person with a Gen 2 and they can use it.
Processor speed is noticeably faster. I can post some screen shots tonight when I get home.
The radar is another sweet addition!
Guest
Posted 12/16/2011 7:16 AM (#528961 - in reply to #528022) Subject: Re: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
TJ DeVoe - 12/9/2011 12:30 PM
The new Gen 2 units are compatible with Lakemaster chips. Waypoint capacity is 5000.
For how long? When I tried to buy a new handheld unit this week, Reeds told me to hurry up if I wanted to use a Lakemaster chip because they have been told when inventory is gone, there may be no more Lakemaster chips for Lowrance hardware. Apparently Johnson wants to make Lakemaster exclusive to their hardware.
Posted 12/16/2011 8:20 PM (#529074 - in reply to #528961) Subject: Re: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI
Guest - 12/16/2011 7:16 AM
TJ DeVoe - 12/9/2011 12:30 PM
The new Gen 2 units are compatible with Lakemaster chips. Waypoint capacity is 5000.
For how long? When I tried to buy a new handheld unit this week, Reeds told me to hurry up if I wanted to use a Lakemaster chip because they have been told when inventory is gone, there may be no more Lakemaster chips for Lowrance hardware. Apparently Johnson wants to make Lakemaster exclusive to their hardware.
That is unsure. We're in close contact with both companies, we'll certainly let everyone know when we hear.
Finder
Posted 12/18/2011 1:32 PM (#529242 - in reply to #527843) Subject: RE: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
Other than the structure stuff and speed is there any other big differences really good rebates on gen1 right now hard to decide
Posted 12/23/2011 11:43 PM (#529978 - in reply to #528963) Subject: Re: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA
Muskiemetal - 12/16/2011 7:28 AM
Pre-2011 Lakemaster chips will work in Lowarance products. Anyway, Navionics has a better assortment of lakes.
Normally I'd. defend Humminbird as I think they currently have a better unit, but I agree 100% with this....Navionics has more lakes for the $ and more detail...plus they're compatible with multiple brands. Google makes products for the iPhone....Johnson Outdoors should continue making products for their competitors.
Posted 12/28/2011 10:38 PM (#530441 - in reply to #527843) Subject: RE: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
Posts: 127
Location: SUN PRAIRIE WI
I am buying A boat probably in January my question to you is should I wait A while to buy the fish locator I do want to buy A gen 2 but you know how it is with some things when A knew product comes out there are often A few problems that occur and need to be fixed do you think this is A potential problem with the gen 2 or has lorwance in the past been pretty good with there new products
Guest
Posted 12/28/2011 11:04 PM (#530445 - in reply to #530441) Subject: RE: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
TEX - 12/28/2011 10:38 PM
I am buying A boat probably in January my question to you is should I wait A while to buy the fish locator I do want to buy A gen 2 but you know how it is with some things when A knew product comes out there are often A few problems that occur and need to be fixed do you think this is A potential problem with the gen 2 or has lorwance in the past been pretty good with there new products
I think this model is the "fix" rather than the new model that will need to be fixed. There isn't anything wrong with the Gen 1, but the Gen 2 models are to be faster and have a few more features.
As far as when to buy, I believe there will be a $100 rebate on some models. At least through Cabela's.
Posted 12/29/2011 1:14 AM (#530451 - in reply to #527843) Subject: RE: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin
Tex, he's right, the gen 2 is the 'fix' or imroved gen 1 and not an entirely new unit.
That said, The argument that some make that one mapping chip is better than another is only valid on lakes where both companies mapped. I fish alot of waters where navionics doesn't help me at all, such as my home body, Petenwell where navionics is in high def but is nowhere near accurate. Lakemaster is accurate as can be for the constantly changing flowage. I also fish alot of MN waters that are only mapped in HD in the lakemaster format, so need that support(for now..). I agree that I like to look at navionics maps for the color, update speeds in Lowrance units, etc. However I rely on both, and really hope Johnson offers their chips to Lowrance owners in the future.
Posted 12/29/2011 6:20 AM (#530459 - in reply to #527843) Subject: Re: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
Posts: 183
TEX, If you getting a boat in January just request that you want the Gen 2 Lowrance units, they should start shipping mid January, at least that is I have read. The Gen 2 is basically the same unit as the Gen 1 except updated processor and Structure Map, everything else is a proven platform. Like any piece of electronics there will be some software updates, but these are easy to do.
If you are in need of Lakemaster Chips, Bruce "Doc" Samson has them for sale on his website for Lowrance.
Posted 12/30/2011 2:54 PM (#530680 - in reply to #530459) Subject: Re: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
Shipping has started.
Guest
Posted 1/1/2012 2:56 AM (#530861 - in reply to #527843) Subject: RE: Lowrance HDS Gen 2
Are they in stores yet? I'd like to play around with one. I think the guy at Cabela's was only expecting to see them in February at the earliest, but he wasn't positive.
Lowrance HDS Gen 2