Lowrance HOOK2-5 TripleShot US Inland

In December 2017, Lowrance has released the brand new series of fish finders, the HOOK2 units. This series includes units from 4″ to 12″, which are considerably more polished and simplified in comparison to the previous HOOK units. They focus on providing an optimal range of sonar and navigation features at the best prices.

In this post, we’re going to address the Lowrance HOOK2-5 TripleShot US Inland unit which comes with the TripleShot transducer, is capable of 2D Broadband High CHIRP, DownScan, and SideScan, also being a chart plotter. To be more specific, this is the Lowrance part number 000-14285-001. Also, even though this model is already over two years old, it is still available in 2020 and the new Hook Reveal series does not include (so far) a 5-inch model with TripleShot sonar.

Key Features and Specifications

• Screen: 5″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel matrix, color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Broadband High CHIRP (2D), DownScan, SideScan
• Max. Depth Capability:
  • 500 ft (153 m) for the CHIRP sonar
  • 300 ft. (91 m) for DownScan and SideScan
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • 200/455/800 kHz
  • 300′ (91 m) on each side – 455 kHz SideScan
  • 100′ (30 m) on each side – 800 kHz SideScan
• Transducer: TripleShot
• Power Output:
  • Broadband Sonar (2D): 200 Watts (RMS)
  • DownScan/SideScan: Max. 500 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 12 VDC (10.4-17 VDC min-max)
• GPS: Internal, WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS
• Maps: US Inland
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 3,000, 100 (10,000) points per trail)

Transducer and sonar features

Since it’s a TripleShot unit, this Lowrance fishfinder includes the new TripleShot 3-in-1 transducer. This transducer is a re-designed TotalScan. It’s capable of 2D Broadband CHIRP sonar, DownScan, and SideScan. It integrates a temperature sensor, it comes with a transom mount, has 20′ (6m) of cable, and an 8-pin connector. Its connector is thinner and slightly longer than for the previous versions. Therefore, it’s easier to pass through any drilled holes in the hull of your boat, and also creates a tight, waterproof connection with the unit. This goes for the power connector as well.

The unit’s sonar capabilities are different than the previous HOOK-5 unit. On the one hand, it has SideScan sonar, and no other previous HOOK-5 unit was capable of SideScan. However, its 2D sonar is not a dual-beam. For its 2D Broadband CHIRP sonar, this system provides only High Wide CHIRP, its operating frequency being 200 kHz. The CHIRP modulation interval isn’t specified.

For SideScan and DownScan, the system’s operating frequencies are 455/800 kHz. These types of sonar don’t use CHIRP, such as the Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 75SV, for example. However, the images created are very sharp and clear, and the target separation is excellent. As a general idea, 455 kHz provides the best range and depth capability but with a lower resolution; the 800 kHz mode offers the highest resolution but to the detriment of range.

The SideScan/DownScan beams used by the TripleShot 3-in-1 transducer are thin-shaped, not conical such as the 2D beam. Lowrance hasn’t specified their angles yet. However, the side coverage of the SideScan beams is 300′ (on each side) at 455 kHz, and 100′ (on each side) at 800 kHz, similar to the older TotalScan transducer.

When it comes to depth capability, with the included TripleShot transducer this Lowrance fish finder can reach 500′ (152 m) when using 2D Broadband Sonar, and 300′ (91 m) when using SideScan/DownScan.

The Lowrance HOOK2-5 TripleShot US Inland offers several very useful sonar functions. The first to mention is Overlay DownScan and Sonar Recording. Overlay DownScan, as its name suggests, allows you to overlay the DownScan view on the 2D Broadband sonar. This way, you can benefit from a better view of the fish arches in relation to structure or vegetation defined by the DownScan sonar.

Sonar Recording gives you the possibility to record and rewind the sonar log. This feature can be very useful if you want to review a certain spot that you’ve already scanned, without having to re-scan that particular area. The sonar log can be recorded in the unit’s memory, or on a microSD card.

Among other sonar features, we can count Amplitude Scope, Fish ID, Bottom Lock, Flasher, Colorline, Surface Clarity, etc.

Navigation features

The Lowrance HOOK2-5 TripleShot US Inland is also a chart plotter, not only a fish finder. As its name suggests, it is equipped with basic US Inland charts. These charts are based on the C-MAP charts; they provide high-detail US mapping with 1-foot contours for more than 3,000 lakes. They don’t offer super detail, but they show the boundaries between water an land accurately.

The unit is compatible with various premium charts, though, including C-MAP®, C-MAP Genesis, Navionics® and more. If you opt for Navionics charts you can benefit from SonarChart Live, which is a real-time feature where the device creates an overlay of depth contours based on your own live sonar soundings. Navionics charts also included dynamic tide and current icons. Conversely, if you opt for C-MAP charts, you’ll also get superior detail, depth filters, safety depths, and a wide array of other useful options.

Since it’s a TripleShot unit, StructureMap is also a chart/sonar feature available. StructureMap allows you to overlay the images of the recorded SideScan sonar on the maps, in order to get a better idea of the underwater environment in relation to the shores.

The Lowrance HOOK2-5 is equipped with a high-sensitivity internal GPS which can also use the information from WAAS, EGNOS and MSAS satellites if they are available in your area, to provide the most accurate results possible. It shows your coordinates and can calculate the speed of your boat. Also, it can record up to 100 trails, of up to 10,000 points each, 3,000 waypoints, and up to 100 routes.

Control unit features

The Lowrance HOOK2-5 TripleShot is a 5″ diagonal unit, with a TFT color display, and a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. Its display is the SolarMax type with LED backlight (1,200 nits). The display angle visibility is 70°/50°/70°/70° top/bottom/left/right. It’s keypad operated; the navigation through the menus and the usage of its functions is done exclusively via the keypad on the right side.

The unit is IPX7 waterproof. This means it can withstand incidental water exposure or rain with no problem.

A bracket mounts and a panel-type mount are included with the unit. However, the box does not include a sun cover.

The unit does not offer any networking possibilities. It doesn’t have an NMEA or an Ethernet port. It only has one port for the transducer and one of the power cables. However, it does have a microSD card slot placed on the right side of the unit, which gives you the possibility to upgrade its internal software, transfer data, upgrade its charts database, etc.

The Pros

• 2D Broadband Wide CHIRP Sonar;
• DownScan and SideScan sonar;
• TripleShot 3-in-1 transducer included;
• Fast and accurate GPS;
• US Inland basemaps included;
• Compatible with superior charts, such as C-MAP®, C-MAP Genesis, Navionics® and more;
• Color display;
• Adjustable backlight for superior readability;
• Split-screen view up to 3 panels per view;
• Sonar recording;
• DownScan overlay;
• Various functions included, such as Fish ID, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Flasher, Colorline etc;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• Fairly easy to install;
• One year warranty.

The Cons

• No networking features (no NMEA or Ethernet);
• Doesn’t support external GPS, or AIS units.

Summary

The Lowrance HOOK2-5 TripleShot US Inland is a fish finder and chart plotter offering 2D Wide CHIRP sonar, SideScan, DownScan, GPS and US Inland maps. It includes the TripleShot transducer which works with all its three types of sonar. It’s perfect for small boats and inland fishing, but also for off-shore fishing if you equip it with more inclusive charts and don’t require a depth scanning power greater than 500 ft. And finally, it costs less than $400 (at least for now), which is quite great for a unit with side-scanning sonar that includes a transducer.