Lowrance HOOK2-7x TripleShot

The HOOK2-7x TripleShot is one of the fish finders released by Lowrance at the beginning of 2018. It basically offers the same sonar features as the HOOK2-7 TripleShot, however, it only has a GPS plotter and does not support charts. For reference, this is the Lowrance part number 000-14022-001. It’s also important to mention that a newer model is already available, this being the Hook Reveal 7x TripleShot.

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)
• Navigation: GPS plotter
• Charts: No

Sonar and transducer

As we’ve mentioned above, this Lowrance fish finder includes the TripleShot skimmer part number 000-14029-001. As opposed to the TotalScan transducer which is included with some of the Elite Ti models and some of the Simrad units, the TripleShot one is only capable of operating at 200 kHz for the unit’s 2D CHIRP sonar. Therefore, with this transducer, the system can use Wide Angle High CHIRP sonar, while for the SideScan/DownScan it can use 455/800 kHz just as the TotalScan skimmer.

This transducer integrates a temperature sensor so that the unit can monitor water temperature changes. It comes with a metallic mount and has 20′ (6m) of cable with an 8-pin connector.

Evidently, since it’s a TripleShot system, it can use three types of sonar. These are Wide Angle High CHIRP, DownScan, SideScan. For the Wide Angle CHIRP sonar, the transducer uses a conical beam with a coverage of approx. 40°. This type of sonar offers a depth capability of 500′ (153 m). Since it uses CHIRP technology, the sonar pulse is modulated over a range of frequencies in order to provide a better target separation.

For SideScan and DownScan the system doesn’t use CHIRP technology. However, since these are structure scanning sonar modes, the images of the bottom, structure, and vegetation appear better defined, similar to photography. The transducer uses thin, fan-shaped beams for these types of sonar. Their exact angles aren’t specified. However, the side beams can reach up to 300′ (91 m) on each side of the boat. The depth capabilities for SideScan and DownScan are 300′ (91 m) @ 455 kHz, and 150′ (45 m) @ 800 kHz.

The recommended boat speed for the best sonar images is up to 5-6 MPH. However, the transducer should still be able to maintain a steady bottom reading even at higher speeds.

This Lowrance fish finder has Automated Sonar Settings. In other words, since it autotunes itself, it gives you the possibility to spend more time fishing and less time adjusting the unit’s settings. In all, it’s a plug-and-fish system, which actively adjusts the sonar settings as the fishing conditions change.

There are several standard sonar applications also available with the HOOK2-7x TripleShot. Among them, we can enumerate Circular Flasher, Fish ID, Depth Alarm, Bottom range, etc. Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind are not available for this unit, though.

Navigation

The Lowrance HOOK2-7x TripleShot doesn’t offer GPS mapping, nor it is compatible with any charts. It only has a basic GPS plotter, similar to the one offered by the Garmin Striker Plus 7cv. The GPS receiver is internal. It can use WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS satellites if available. Just as for any basic GPS plotter, the information is displayed on a blank sheet. It shows your position with the latitude and longitude coordinates and updates your position several times per second.

The GPS plotter allows you to save waypoints and create routes. Each created waypoint has an exact global position with the latitude and longitude coordinates. The system also automatically tracks and draws the vessel’s movement on the white sheet of the plotter.

A Man-Over-Board (MOB) function is available on this unit. It’s actually a different way to quickly create a waypoint. In other words, you can create and save a MOB waypoint at the current vessel’s location by pressing both zoom keys of the unit simultaneously.

Control unit features

As its name suggests, the HOOK2-7x fish finder from Lowrance features a 7-inch display. It’s actually a SolarMax display with integrated, bright and adjustable backlight, designed to provide excellent visibility in direct sunlight. The angle visibility is 70°/50°/70°/70° top/bottom/left/right. Its pixel resolution is 800H x 480V, offering very focused and clear images.

The unit doesn’t have touchscreen technology. It can only be operated via the keypad on the right of the display. It’s IPX waterproof; this means it can resist incidental water exposure or rain without a problem.

Since it’s not compatible with any charts and does not have sonar recording, the unit doesn’t have an SD or microSD card reader. It also doesn’t offer NMEA or Ethernet support. It only has two connectors, the 8-pin connector for the transducer and the power cable port.

Finally, the unit comes with a tilt-swivel, quick-release bracket mount.

The Pros

• 2D High-Wide CHIRP Sonar;
• DownScan and SideScan sonar;
• TripleShot 3-in-1 transducer included;
• Depth capability of 500 ft (153 m)
• Sonar Autotuning;
• Fast and accurate GPS plotter;
• Waypoints, trails and routes functions;
• SolarMAX color display;
• Adjustable backlight for superior readability;
• Split-screen view up to 4 panels per view;
• Various functions included, such as Fish ID, Bottom Lock, Flasher, Colorline etc;
• Tilt-swivel bracket mount included;
• 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 HOOK2-7x TripleShot is a CHIRP/SideScan/DownScan fish finder which also has a basic GPS plotter. It includes the TripleShot transducer which is capable of 200/455/800 kHz frequencies and backs the unit’s 2D, SideScan, and DownScan sonar technologies. It has a depth capability of 500 ft (153 m) which makes it perfect for freshwater fishing, but also for saltwater fishing if you don’t go too far offshore. It’s a unit that focuses on offering the most necessary fish finding and navigation features at the most affordable price.