Lowrance HDS-7 Live – No Transducer

The HDS-7 Live is one of the new fish finder and chartplotter units released by Lowrance in 2019. It offers all Lowrance sonar technologies available, including Active Imaging 3-in-1, StructureScan 3D and the new LiveSight Sonar. It also has a version of the C-MAP basemap that is superior to the one in the Elite Ti2 units.

In this post, we’re going to address the Lowrance HDS-7 Live part number 000-14415-001. This unit does not include any transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: SolarMAX, 7″ diagonal, 1024H x 600V pixel matrix, full color, with LED backlight and multi-touch technology
• Sonar: Active Imaging 3-in-1, StructureScan 3D, LiveSight Sonar capable
• Transducer: Not included
• Depth Capability: Depends on the transducer
• Frequency and Coverage: 50/83/200/455/800 kHz
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10.8-17 VDC
• GPS: 10 Hz, 16-channel
• Maps: C-MAP U.S. Enhanced Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Trails: 100, 3,000, 100 (10,000 per trail)

Sonar features

As we’ve mentioned above, the HDS-7 supports all types of sonar developed by Lowrance so far. It has Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar which opens access to SideScan, DownScan, and 2D CHIRP sonar features. It also supports StructureScan 3D and the new LiveSight sonar which provides a live sonar feed allowing you to observe the movement of your lure and fish in real time.

The unit does not include any transducers. However, it is compatible with the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer, the Active Imaging 2-in-1 transducer, the Mid/High Skimmer, the old HDI Skimmer, the TotalScan transducer, and many others. Also, in order to benefit from the LiveSight sonar, it requires the LiveSight transducer. This transducer is also compatible with the Lowrance Carbon units, but in order to work with a Carbon unit, the LiveSight PSI-1 sonar box is also required.

The unit supports multiple sonar frequencies; the base frequency list includes 50/83/200/455/800 kHz. Depending on the transducer that you will opt for, the CHIRP frequency range, and the coverage of the beams will vary. This also stands for the depth capability. But as a general idea, with the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer, you will be able to scan depths up to 1,000 ft (305 m) with the 2D traditional CHIRP sonar, and up to 300 ft (92 m) with DownScan.

In terms of standard sonar features, the unit offers the full range. To begin with, it has the FishReveal feature which gives you the possibility to combine the 2D CHIRP sonar with DownScan in order to view the fish arches in relation to the high-resolution view of the bottom, structure, and vegetation. This feature aims to eliminate the need of keeping both DownScan and 2D sonar in separate windows on your display.

Other sonar applications include Circular Flasher for ice fishing, Fish ID, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, and more. A Temperature Graph function is also available; therefore, if you opt for a transducer with an internal temperature sensor, you will be able to view the water temperature fluctuations. Plus, the unit can record sonar, offering the possibility to save the sonar log in its internal memory or on a microSD card.

Navigation features

The Lowrance HDS-7 Live includes the C-MAP US Enhanced Basemap. This chart platform is superior to the Inland Basemap included with the Elite-7 Ti2 unit. Not only that it offers inland coverage with 1-foot contours for more than 4,000 U.S. lakes, it also offers coastal coverage including Hawaii and Alaska.

Evidently, the unit is compatible with various other charts. The list includes Navionics Gold, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, C-MAP Max-N, C-MAP Max-N+, C-MAP Insight Pro, and C-MAP Lake Insight HD.

One of the new features included with all the HDS units released in 2019 is Genesis Live. This is a depth contour recording feature that uses the 2D sonar and GPS data. It allows you to reveal and draw the depth contours of your favorite lake and create personalized charts with 1/2′ contours. Thus, if the unit’s current charts do not offer satisfying detail for your lake, the Genesis Live feature has you covered. It’s similar to the SonarChart offered by the Navionics chars, or to the AutoChart Live present in most Humminbird units.

StructureMap is also included. This application allows you to overlay recorded SideScan sonar onto the maps in order to visualize the underwater environment in relation to your position better. This can help with the interpretation of the SideScan images. Also, you can enable Live Data so the SideScan imaging history is shown behind your boat as you go. You can also view StructureMap in a split-screen format alongside the Genesis Live recording.

SmartSteer is also a feature supported by this unit. This feature offers autopilot and other functions for MotorGuide Xi5/Xi3 trolling motors; however, this requires MotorGuide PinPoint Gateway. It provides control for Power-Pole anchors. It can also show data from an AIS unit and also supports Radar, including 4G (Broadband), 3G (Broadband), Halo24 (Pulse Compression Dome Radar), Halo 3’/4’/6′ (Open Array Pulse Compression Radar).

The unit is equipped with a 16-channel internal GPS. It operates at 10 Hz which means the unit can provide position updates 10 times per second. It supports WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS for position enhancements. It offers a GPS speed function so it can calculate the speed of your boat based on the GPS data. Plus, the unit can record up to 3,000 waypoints in its memory, 100 routes, and 100 trails (with up to 10,000 point per trail).

Control unit features

To begin with, the Lowrance HDS-7 Live features a 7-inch SolarMAX display with LED backlight (>1200 Nits), offering superior readability in direct sunlight and from sharp angles up to 80°. It has a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V and a multi-touch interface which can be operated either from the side keypad or via touchscreen as a tablet. Its interface is highly customizable; it offers the possibility to use a 4-panel split screen view and also has a quick access control bar.

The unit integrates a dual-core processor with more than enough speed & power to provide faster redraws & quicker response times to easily drive technology, like StructureScan 3D, Mercury VesselView Link & Lowrance Outboard pilot. It also has an internal storage capacity of 8.0 GB.

In terms of networking, the unit has an Ethernet port and one Micro-C port for NMEA 2000. It also supports NMEA 0183 networks. This being said, you can connect it to an existing boat grid in order to communicate with other existing fish finders, or various other boating instruments such as AIS units, Radar, SiriusXM, SonicHub 2 and more.

The unit also has Wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. It has an internal 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi module and is compatible with WiFi-1 modules. This allows you to take control of your unit via your smartphone or tablet through the Link App. It also gives you the possibility to backup your waypoints and routes with ease into your mobile device. The Bluetooth connection allows you to control Power-Pole Shallow Water anchors equipped with a C-Monster control system or take control of your unit via the LR-1 remote for saving waypoints, zooming, and access various other functions.

Last but not least, the unit features a dual microSD card reader. It also includes the Gimbal bracket mount and a suncover.

The Pros

• Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar;
• StructureScan 3D sonar;
• LiveSight sonar;
• Various sonar functions, such as DownScan Overlay, FishReveal, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Circular Flasher, Fish ID, Sonar Recording etc;
• C-MAP U.S. Enhanced Basemap included;
• Genesis Live feature for depth contour recording;
• Compatible with a wide array of custom charts, including Navionics Gold, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, C-MAP Max N, C-MAP Max N+, Insight Pro and Insight HD.
• High precision, 10 Hz GPS;
• Autopilot functions via SmartSteer, for Xi5 trolling motors;
• Waypoints, routes, and trackplotting functions;
• Easy to use touchscreen navigation;
• 4-panel view presentation possibilities;
• Super-bright display, excellent readability;
• Dual-core processor for fast responsiveness;
• 8.0 GB of internal storage;
• WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity;
• Dual microSD card reader for data backup and transfer;
• NMEA 2000 connectivity;
• Ethernet connectivity;
• Supports AIS, Radar, SiriusXM Marine Weather and Audio systems, and SonicHub 2 audio servers;
• Gimbal bracket mount included;
• Suncover cover included;
• Available in multiple language packs;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• A transducer is not included;
• The Genesis Live feature requires a microSD card as support.

Summary

The Lowrance HDS-7 Live is a fish finder and chartplotter that offers LiveSight sonar, Active Imaging 3-in-1, and StructureScan 3D support. It has an internal 10 Hz GPS, the C-MAP US Enhanced Basemap, Genesis Live, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, superior networking capabilities, and a wide array of other features. It does not include a transducer but supports all the Active Imaging transducer, the LiveSight transducers (without an external sonar hub), and various skimmer transducers including the HDI model. It’s a versatile unit for both inland and off-shore navigation and fishing, perfect for a wide array of boats.