Lowrance HOOK2-7 TripleShot US Inland

The HOOK2-7 TripleShot is one of the Lowrance fish finders released in 2018. It is still available at the moment, but a newer model was released in 2020 – the Hook Reveal 7 TripleShot. Anyway, the HOOK2-7 TS model provides an optimal range of fish finding and navigation features, including SideScan sonar, DownScan sonar, GPS, and charts. For reference, this is the Lowrance part number 000-14293-001, the one that includes the TripleShot transducer and is pre-loaded with the basic US Inland maps.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel matrix, color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Wide-angle 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)

Sonar and transducer

When it comes to sonar capabilities, the HOOK2-7 TripleShot is pretty close to the Elite-7 Ti. However, as its name suggests, it comes with the TripleShot transducer, not the TotalScan transducer, and for the 2D sonar, it can use only High-Wide CHIRP 200 kHz, while the Elite unit can use 83/200 kHz CHIRP.

The TripleShot transducer integrates a temperature sensor, it comes with a metallic transom mount, has 20′ (6m) of cable, and an 8-pin connector. The transducer’s connector is thinner and slightly longer than for the previous versions, being 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. Along with the 2D High-Wide CHIRP sonar, the unit can also use DownScan Imaging and SideScan imaging sonar at 455/800 kHz.

With the included TripleShot transducer, the system’s depth capabilities are 500′ (152 m) for the 2D sonar, and up to 300′ (91 m) for DownScan/SideScan. The recommended boat speed for an accurate bottom and fish targets reading is 4-5 MPH. However, the transducer should be able to offer decent results even at higher speeds.

For the 2D High-Wide CHIRP sonar, the transducer uses a conical beam. Its coverage is not specified, but it should be somewhere between 20° – 45°. For StructureScan (SideScan/DownScan) the transducer uses fan-shaped beams. The side beams of the SideScan sonar can reach 300′ on each side at 455 kHz, and 100′ on each side at 800 kHz.

There are several standard sonar features and functions available with this unit. To begin with, we can mention the Overlay DownScan feature and the TrackBack feature. Overlay DownScan gives you the possibility to blend the 2D CHIRP sonar view with the DownScan view, in order to see the fish arches better in relation with the structures or vegetation viewed in DownScan photo-like clarity.

TrackBack is basically sonar recording. The system allows you to record and scroll back through the sonar history in order to review a certain spot. This can save you some trouble as you won’t have to return and re-scan that particular area.

Amplitude Scope is a sonar view available in 2D mode. It’s basically a vertical flasher which shows the information caught by the most recent sonar pulse. The unit also has the Circular Flasher sonar mode, which can serve well when down-dropping or for ice fishing.

Fish ID is also available. This sonar view is usable only in 2D mode. It’s actually a sonar helper; it replaces the fish arches with fish icons, and you can also choose to see the depth of each fish symbol displayed. Among other features, we can count Bottom Lock, Colorline, Surface Clarity, Fish Alarm, etc.

Navigation features

The Lowrance HOOK2-7 TripleShot is equipped with a high-sensitivity internal GPS. The GPS system can show the coordinates of your location or any point of interest. It can also use the EGNOS, WAAS and MSAS satellites if they’re available in your area. Plus, it can calculate and display the speed of your boat.

The unit can save up to 3,000 waypoints in its memory. It has a route creation function and a trail recording function. You can save up to 100 routes with up to 50 waypoints per route, and 100 trails with up to 10,000 breadcrumb points per trail. Of course, each trail can be converted into a route and retraced You can select to record trail points based on time, distance, or by letting the unit position a point automatically when a course change occurs.

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the Lowrance unit 000-14293-001 which comes with the U.S. Inland charts. These are charts based on the ones from C-MAP. They cover more than 3,000 US lakes with 1′ contour maps. They don’t offer super detail, but they show the boundaries between water an land accurately.

On the other hand, the unit is equipped with a microSD card reader and can be upgraded with different premium charts. It’s compatible with C-MAP®, C-MAP Genesis, Navionics®, and more. 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. Conversely, Navionics charts give you access to 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 include dynamic tide and current icons.

Like most other Lowrance fish finders with SideScan sonar, the HOOK2-7 TripleShot has the StructureMap feature. StructureMap overlays the SideScan images from your StructureScan source on the map. This allows you to visualize better the underwater environment in relation to your position, and also gives you better interpretation possibilities to the SideScan images.

Control unit features

The Lowrance HOOK2-7 TripleShot is a 7-inch display unit, offering a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It’s equipped with a SolarMAX color display, which delivers an excellent readability even from sharp angles. Due to the adjustable LED backlight (1,200 nits) the angle visibility is 70°/50°/70°/70° top/bottom/left/right.

The unit doesn’t have touchscreen technology such as the Elite-7 Ti or the Simrad GO7 XSE. The navigation through its menus and usage of functions is done only via the keypad on the right. The home page can be customized in various ways; you can add the pages and applications that you use the most to it. It also offers a split-view of up to 4 panels per view.

The unit is IPX7 waterproof. This means it can withstand incidental water exposure, such as rain, snow, or splashes. It can even survive immersions in freshwater up to 1 m.

This Lowrance fish finder doesn’t offer NMEA or Ethernet connectivity. However, it does have a media port for chart upgrades, data transfer or sonar updates. This is the microSD card reader with one card slot which can take cards up to 32 GB.

The mounts included with this unit are the classic U-bracket and a flush mount. The box does not include a unit cover.

The Pros

• 2D High-Wide CHIRP Sonar;
• DownScan and SideScan sonar;
• TripleShot 3-in-1 transducer included;
• Fast and accurate GPS;
• Trail recording function;
• Route creation function;
• Can save up to 3,000 waypoints;
• U.S. Inland maps included;
• Compatible with superior charts, such as C MAP®, C-MAP Genesis, Navionics® and more;
• SolarMAX color display;
• Adjustable backlight for superior readability;
• Split-screen view up to 4 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 NMEA or Ethernet ports;
• No unit cover;
• Does not support external GPS or AIS units.

Summary

The Lowrance HOOK2-7 TripleShot US Inland is a fish finder and chart plotter offering 2D Wide CHIRP sonar, SideScan, DownScan, GPS, and the US Inland maps. The TripleShot transducer 000-10429-001 is included with it. This system great for 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. It fits a wide array of boats. And finally, it costs less than $650 (at least for now), which is not bad for a unit with side-scanning sonar that includes a transducer.