Lowrance HOOK2-7 SplitShot Navionics+

We’ve already covered the HOOK2-7 SplitShot that comes only with the preloaded U.S. Inland maps, so in this post, we’re going to address the Lowrance part number 000-14290-001, the one that includes the SplitShot transducer and the Navionics+ microSD card. Also, a newer similar model was released in 2020. This is the Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 SplitShot.

Key Features and Specifications

• Screen: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel matrix, color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: High Wide-Angle CHIRP & DownScan
• Transducer: SplitShot
• Max. Depth Capability:
  500 ft. (153 m) for the CHIRP sonar
  300 ft. (91 m) for DownScan
• Frequency and Coverage:
  2D Sonar: 200 kHz / 40°
  DownScan: 455/800 kHz
• Power Output:
  2D CHIRP Sonar: 200 Watts (RMS)
  DownScan: Max. 500 Watts (RMS)
• Power Supply: 12 VDC (10.4-17 VDC min-max)
• GPS: Internal, WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS
• Maps: Navionics+ (US & Canada)
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 3,000, 100 (10,000) points per trail)

Sonar and transducer

As its name suggests, the Lowrance HOOK2-7 SplitShot Nav+ offers SplitShot sonar which includes 2D CHIRP sonar and DownScan sonar. The unit can also be paired with one of the older HDI skimmer transducers if using an adapter cable. However, it is important to mention that it won’t work with a TripleShot transducer because it does not have built-in SideScan sonar technology.

The included SplitShot transducer is equipped with 20 ft. (6 m) of cable with an 8-pin connector and has a metallic transom mount. It can also be mounted in-hull or on a trolling motor without any special mounts. Plus, it integrates a temperature sensor and the unit can display the water temperature.

The SplitShot transducer backs both sonar technologies provided by the unit. For the traditional sonar, it uses a Wide-Angle High CHIRP beam with a 40° coverage at 200 kHz. The exact CHIRP interval is not specified, but the maximum depth capability of the Wide-Angle CHIRP beam is 500 ft (153 m).

For DownScan, the SplitShot transducer can operate at either 455 kHz or 800 kHz using thin, oval beams; their exact coverage is not specified but it should be wider than for 2D. The maximum depth capability for the DownScan (455 kHz) beam is 300 ft. (91 m).

Of course, the unit makes available a wide range of standard sonar features. It doesn’t have the FishReveal function as the Elite-7 Ti2 model but does have Overlay DownScan. The list also includes Fish ID, Amplitude Scope, Bottom Lock, Flasher View, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, Sonar Autotuning, and more.

Navigation features

Since it’s a sonar and chartplotter combo, the Lowrance HOOK2-7 SplitShot is equipped with an internal GPS receiver. It supports position augmentation via WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS. It also makes available a GPS speed function.

The unit has trackplotting, route creation, and waypoint creation functions. It can save up to 100 tracks in its memory; each track can have up to 10,000 points. It can also store up to 3,000 waypoints and 100 routes. And of course, all recorded tracks can be converted into routes to which you can add waypoints and re-trace if you want.

This Lowrance fish finder and chartplotter combo includes a Navionics+ charts microSD card. The Navionics charts cover the U.S. and Canada waters. They offer excellent detail and a lot of information for each point of interest, dynamic tide, and current information, or features like shallow water highlighting and more. The unit does not have its own built-in depth contour recording function, but does support the SonarChart feature provided by the Navionics+ charts so you can reveal the depth contours of your lake if necessary.

Of course, the unit also has its own built-in chart base – the U.S. Inland Basemap, so in case you won’t be using the Navionics+ card, you will still have a basic chart platform to rely on. The U.S. Inland charts cover more than 4,000 U.S. lakes with 1-foot depth contours and provide basic detail and info. Plus, the unit also supports charts from C-MAP.

Since it’s one of the most basic chartplotters offered by Lowrance at the moment, the HOOK2-7 SplitShot does not offer extra connectivity for external GPS modules, VHF radio, or AIS units. It also does not support Radar.

Control unit features

As its name suggests, the HOOK2-7 SplitShot unit features a 7-inch display. Just as for the other HOOK2 units, the display type is SolarMax, designed for superior readability in direct sunlight with angle visibility of 70°/50°/70°/70° top/bottom/left/right. Its pixel resolution is 800H x 480V, and of course, the display is color and LED-backlit.

The unit is IPX7 waterproof. This essentially means it can resist incidental water exposure such as water splashes or rain, and even immersions in freshwater.

The unit has a keypad interface. It does not have touchscreen technology as the HDS units, so the navigation through the menus and the usage of its functions is done exclusively from the keypad on the right. It has a button for changing pages, Zoom-in/Zoom-out controls, an Arrow button for moving your cursor on the screen, the Menu access button, and a quick waypoint creation button. It offers split-screen possibilities for up to two applications.

The HOOK2-7 SplitShot is not networkable. It only has two connectors, one for the transducer, the other for the power cable. It does not have Ethernet or NMEA connectors and does not have wireless connectivity as the HDS or Elite Ti2 units. However, it does have a microSD card slot that you can load up with the included Navionics+ card or other charts from C-MAP.

The unit includes the classic tilt-mount and a flush mount is also available (not included). The box does not include a unit cover.

The Pros

• Wide-Angle CHIRP Sonar;
• DownScan sonar;
• SplitShot 2-in-1 transducer included;
• Metallic transom mount for the transducer, and also the possibility to attach it to a trolling motor;
• Various functions included, such as Fish ID, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Flasher, Colorline, Sonar TrackBack, DownScan Overlay etc;
• Fast and accurate GPS;
• Preloaded with the U.S. Inland base charts;
• Navionics+ microSD card included;
• Compatible with superior charts, such as C-MAP®, C-MAP Genesis, Navionics® and more;
• Waypoint creation, route creation, and trackplotting functions;
• SolarMAX display with adjustable backlight for excellent readability in direct sunlight;
• IPX7 waterproof;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• Bracket mount included;
• Fairly easy to install;
• One year warranty.

The Cons

• No unit cover;
• No networking features;
• Does not support AIS or external GPS.

Summary

The Lowrance HOOK2-7 SplitShot is a fish finder and chartplotter offering Wide CHIRP sonar, DownScan, GPS, and the Navionics+ charts. It includes the SplitShot 2-in-1 transducer which works with both types of sonar provided by the unit. It doesn’t offer networking possibilities but does have a microSD card slot for data transfer and chart upgrades. It’s perfect for small boats and inland fishing. And finally, it’s one of the most affordable 7-inch fishfinder/chartplotter units with down scanning sonar technology.