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Posts: 20
| I was looking at buying a 2003 ranger 621. It already has lowrance depth finders, but I have newer HD units that I bought last year I want to use. Will my hd units work with the existing transducer or will I need to install an HD transducer? If so, are the transducers glassed into the hulls on these boats?
Thanks in advance.
Jake |
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Location: 31 | I wouldn't even begin to think you could use the same transducer.
I just updated the electronics in my 2008 to HD, the boat originally came with 2 in dash 520s with the rear transducer glassed in... but Ranger glued it in pretty slick so we still were able to get the old transducer out.
Even if you can't get the old transducer out, I'd just cut it and leave it there, then use the old cable to pull the new transducer cable up to the helm. If you've got a good deal set up on that 621, I wouldn't let this slow you down. |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | If you can tell me what model units they are, I will tell you if the transducer is compatible. There are a lot of units that use the same transducer as the HDS's, but a boat that old the units might be non compatible.
Edited by TJ DeVoe 4/28/2012 9:40 AM
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| TJ is correct. I use the same transducer on my boats that have had a 520 and an x-102 and switch back and forth without an issue with the HDS |
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Location: 31 | I'm surprised that a 520 transducer would work with HDs (kind of wish I left it in place as a backup now). I just yanked it because we had to run the structure scan cable anyway so what's another cable while everything is apart, plus I had a buyer for the 520s, and they needed a transducer.
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Jerry Newman - 4/28/2012 11:06 AM
I'm surprised that a 520 transducer would work with HDs (kind of wish I left it in place as a backup now). I just yanked it because we had to run the structure scan cable anyway so what's another cable while everything is apart, plus I had a buyer for the 520s, and they needed a transducer.
Jerry, what you did is not a bad thing. The LCX ducers work with the HDS units just fine, but the temp feature does not work with the HDS units. Plus, using a new ducer doesn't hurt a thing imo, but it certainly was not necessary. IMO, this is one of the best things Lowrance did was make the LCX ducers compatible with the HDS units because so many people still run the LCX units and it just makes it that much easier to switch to an HDS unit by not requiring them to replace their ducer. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | The temp feature of my LCX ducers works fine with the HDS 7 that I have. For reference, I have an LCX 111 and pre HDS, ran LCX 25, 27 and 332 on the same ducer. In fact, when I purchased a new ducer last year(skimmer) as a replacement for a failed one, I didn't realize there was a difference in skimmer transducers.
Edited by Reef Hawg 4/28/2012 11:24 AM
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Location: 31 | TJ DeVoe - 4/28/2012 11:12 AM
Jerry Newman - 4/28/2012 11:06 AM
I'm surprised that a 520 transducer would work with HDs (kind of wish I left it in place as a backup now). I just yanked it because we had to run the structure scan cable anyway so what's another cable while everything is apart, plus I had a buyer for the 520s, and they needed a transducer.
Jerry, what you did is not a bad thing. The LCX ducers work with the HDS units just fine, but the temp feature does not work with the HDS units. Plus, using a new ducer doesn't hurt a thing imo, but it certainly was not necessary. IMO, this is one of the best things Lowrance did was make the LCX ducers compatible with the HDS units because so many people still run the LCX units and it just makes it that much easier to switch to an HDS unit by not requiring them to replace their ducer.
Thanks, that's kind of what I was thinking... but still regret not leaving the old 520 transducer in place as a backup to the new one. That would have been slick back up.
It's really not a big deal though because (having learned from experience) I keep an extra transducer in my vehicle and just temporarily route the new cable with tape if/when it goes out during a trip.
Fishing wires with connecters on them is probably my least favorite rigging thing to do...it seems like every time it get stuck about halfway, not to mention the forearm scrapes and worrying about pulling off the connector.
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Posts: 20
| So best case I might be able to use the same ducer, and worst case i would have to switch it out. How hard is it to switch it out if I have to? Is it something I can do? |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | hundo22 - 4/28/2012 12:00 PM
So best case I might be able to use the same ducer, and worst case i would have to switch it out. How hard is it to switch it out if I have to? Is it something I can do?
Yes. It's super easy to switch them out. If it's glassed in, it's a little more of a pain in the butt but they can be switched out if need be.
If you provide me the unit models, I can tell you if the ducers are compatible with your HDS units or not. |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | I think the only "HD" thing about the new units is the StructureScan capability, as I read it. So while you will need an LSS unit (and a special transducer) for those features, I thought that the stock 83/200 kHz transducers will work for the 2D sonar on the new HDS units. At least that is how I read their literature. I certainly did not see anything about their 2D sonar changing...
TB
Edited by tcbetka 4/29/2012 6:06 PM
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ranger 621 rigging