Lowrance HDS Live Review

ActiveTarget

The new Lowrance ActiveTarget transducer has replaced LiveSight transducer and provides more crisp images of fish and structure under the boat. Active Target is sold separately from HDS Live units.

Lowrance ActiveTarget is the live sonar system that gives you a real-time view of the lure and the fish. You can watch live how fish react to the bait, which would greatly increase your catch rate. You can optimize your retrieve, action, lure choice and where to cast or drop based on what you see on the screen. Active Target is perfect for professional anglers that will help to land more fish.

Active Imaging 3 in 1 transducer

Active Imaging is available as a 3-in-1 transducer with CHIRP, SideScan, and DownScan Imaging in Lowrance HDS Live. This transducer is perfect for quickly identifying fish-holding structures like rock piles, standing timber, weed beds, ditches, and drop-offs. With the high-level clarity, target separation, and detail of Active Imaging, you’ll be able to find more fish and also identify different species like Bass, Catfish, crappies, etc. under your boat.

StructureScan 3D

HDS Live multifunction display allows viewing the CHIRP sonar simultaneously with StructureScan 3D or StructureScan HD.

StructureScan® 3D imaging produces a high-resolution 3D view of underwater terrain and fish-holding structure to locate fish in relation to your boat easily. It’s powered by a multi-beam sonar technology that enhances DownScan and SideScan imaging performance. The wide sonar coverage can scan up to 600 feet to each side of your boat.

StructureScan 3D module is sold separately.

Key Features

FishReveal

The Lowrance HDS Live gives you the power to see fish and structures beneath your boat like never before. This product combines the proven performance of Lowrance CHIRP sonar with high-resolution images from DownScan Imaging, making it easier to identify fish targets with FishReveal.

FishReveal makes fish appear more clearly as an arch by brightening and displaying them with greater clarity. The fish arches are more brightly visible on HDS high definition screen. With a faster processor, you can quickly zoom in and out the sonar without lag.

Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ Charts & Genesis Live

HDS Live supports two micro-SD card readers. C-Maps are pre-loaded into HDS Live and you can also add Navionics maps to the second SD Card.

With C-MAP Contour+ & Genesis Live, you will have more success on the water with high resolution, bathymetric 1-foot contours on 15,000+ U.S. Lakes and 9,400+ lakes in Canada. You can overlay Genesis Live on current charts to create your contour maps or create custom 1/2-foot contour maps of your local uncharted lake in real time.

SolarMAX™ HD IPS Touchscreen

The HDS Live units feature HD screens. The screen resolution is enhanced with the screen size. For example, HDS 16 features a 1920 x 1080 Full HD touchscreen.

The HD screen provides better viewing angles and an all-around better viewing experience for everything from fish finding to live entertainment. It also helps make the screen more visible in direct sunlight when wearing polarized sunglasses.

There are 6 split screen options in HDS 12 and HDS 16 to view multiple sonar views and even cast your smartphone. You can also quickly create customized panels on the screen for quick access to the most used functions through programmable keys.

Networking

HDS 16 and HDS 12 support dual Ethernet ports, whereas HDS 9 and HDS 7 have a single Ethernet port.

This allows you to connect the additional unit with HDS like Elite FS. With this device, you can share information among multiple compatible units, making it easy to get a complete picture of what’s happening below the surface. This is great for professional anglers who need multiple displays to locate fish in deep water.

HDS Live 12 and 16 also support 2 transducer ports. This feature helps to display two sonar views simultaneously on a single HDS unit.

HDS Live units come with NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 ports for engine integration or AIS. You can create a complete fishing system and control your boat with the HDS Live touchscreen. Its simple networking capabilities make it easy to control trolling motor, outboard pilot, Power-Pole, on-board sound system, and all the compatible NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 vessel electronics just from the interface of the fish finder.

LiveCast Smartphone Integration

The Lowrance HDS Live Fish Finder gives you the power to connect your smartphone with an HDMI cable and cast its screen onto the HDS unit. You can view Google Maps and videos on the fish finder display while simultaneously watching sonar views through a split-screen. This product is perfect for those who want to be able to use all of their features while fishing without having to switch between screens constantly. This feature is only available in HDS Live 12 and HDS Live 16.

Quad-Core Processor

Looking for a fast, powerful fish finder that can keep up with the latest technology? Look no further than the Lowrance HDS Live.

With its quad-core processor, you’ll enjoy faster chart redraws and quicker response times, making it easy to track down those big fish. Plus, its power will drive technology like StructureScan 3D and Lowrance Outboard Pilot, letting you easily navigate your boat.

Its quick to redraw charts and more processing power means the DownScan and SideScan images have more clarity on the screen. You can quickly identify various fish holding structures, zoom in and out of the screen, and add waypoints without lag. This is an added advantage over normal fish finders that don’t have similar processing power in them.

HDS Live 7 and HDS 9 come with a dual-core processor slightly slower than the quad-core processor used in HDS 12 and HDS 16.

Wifi Connectivity

The wireless connectivity feature in HDS Live allows you to mirror your display to compatible iOS and Android devices and access charts, radar, sonar, engine data, and more from the smartphone. You can remotely control your fishfinder easily through your smartphone.

You can also upgrade your HDS Live fish finder to the latest software through Wifi with a fast internet connection. With easy online software and map upgrades through any internet hotspot, you’ll always have access to the latest features and support for accessories.

FAQs

Is the GPS antenna built-in?

Yes, HDS Live has a built-in GPS antenna with 10Hz position update rate with high location accuracy.

What SD card to use in Lowrance HDS Live?

You can add 32GB SD card to HDS Live units.

Is the Lowrance HDS Live 16 waterproof?

Yes.

What is the warranty on the Lowrance HDS Live?

The Lowrance HDS Live comes with a two-year limited warranty.