Lowrance HOOK2-9 TripleShot Navionics+

The Lowrance HOOK2-9 TripleShot unit is sold in various bundles, with various transducers and charts. In this post, we’re going to address the HOOK2-9 part number 000-14302-001, the one that includes the TripleShot transducer and the Navionics+ charts. Also, a newer model with extra features is already available. This is the HOOK Reveal 9 TripleShot Navionics+.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel matrix, color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Wide-angle High CHIRP (2D), DownScan, SideScan
• Max. Depth Capability:
  500′ (153 m) for the CHIRP sonar
  300′ (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: Navionics+ & US Inland Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 3,000, 100 (10,000) points per trail)

Sonar and transducer

The Lowrance HOOK2-9 TripleShot offers three sonar technologies. It has built-in 2D CHIRP sonar, DownScan and SideScan, however, it does not support ForwardScan as the Elite Ti units. It supports 200 kHz for the 2D sonar and 455/800 kHz for DownScan & SideScan.

Since this is the HOOK2-9 000-14302-001, it includes the TripleShot transducer which supports all three types of sonar provided by the unit. This transducer includes a transom mount, 20′ (6 m) of cable with a 10-pin connector. It also incorporates a temperature sensor. It’s also important to mention here that the HOOK2-9 TripleShot units also support the SplitShot transducer and the older HDI Skimmer (with the required cable adapter). However, they do not support the TotalScan transducer.

The TripleShot transducer uses a conical beam for the unit’s 2D sonar. It’s a Wide-Angle CHIRP beam with a coverage of approx. 40° which can reach depths up to 500′ (153 m). The CHIRP frequency range is not specified for this unit but should be around 200 kHz.

For SideScan and DownScan, the transducer uses thin beams, not conical as for the 2D CHIRP sonar. Their angle coverage isn’t specified, but the side beams can extend on each side for up to 300′ @ 455 kHz. The depth capability of the SideScan and DownScan beams is 300′ (91 m).

The HOOK2-9 TripleShot unit offers a wide range of standard sonar features. It doesn’t have the FishReveal application like the newer Elite Ti units but does have Overlay DownScan which opens basic DownScan options when using the 2D sonar view. The Fish ID feature is also included. This application assigns fish icons to targets interpreted as fish by the unit, also displaying the depth of each target next to it. It can be useful in certain situations, especially if you want to see at a glance, the depth of each fish target.

A-Scope, Circular Flasher for ice fishing and stationary fishing, ColorLine, Bottom Lock, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, and Sonar Autotuning are also available features with this unit. It also has the TrackBack function which basically offers the possibility to record and rewind the sonar history.

Navigation features

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the Lowrance HOOK2-9 TripleShot 000-14302-001, the one that includes the Navionics+ charts. This chart platform is not built-in the unit, though. It comes on a microSD card which you will have to load into your unit.

The Navionics+ charts cover the U.S. and Canadian waters providing superior detail and information for each point of interest, depth contours, dynamic tide and current information, shallow water shading, and more. Plus, the unit also supports the SonarChart feature included with the Navionics+ maps. This application allows you to reveal and record the depth contours of the lake where you are fishing, in order to create your own personalized maps. It’s also important to mention here that this unit does not have the Genesis Live feature like the HDS-9 Live units, for example. So, in order to benefit from the map recording features, you will have to use the Navionics charts.

Of course, the unit also has its own standard built-in chart platform – the U.S. Inland Basemap. These charts are based on the C-MAP charts and they don’t offer super detail, but do cover more than 4,000 U.S. lakes with up to 1-foot depth contours. So, in case you won’t be using the Navionics+ card, the unit still has you covered in terms of maps.

It’s also important to mention here that the unit also supports various other charts. For example, it can work with Navionics Platinum+ charts, or C-MAP MAX N.

Since it’s a combo unit, the HOOK2-9 TripleShot is equipped with an internal GPS antenna. It also supports WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS for position enhancements, and has a GPS speed feature.

The HOOK2-9 TripleShot can save up to 3,000 waypoints in its memory and gives you the possibility to select from a variety of icons in order to make each waypoint more suggestive. It also has route creation and track recording functions. It can save up to 100 routes in its memory and record up to 100 tracks. Each track can have up 10,000 track points, and of course, each track can be re-designed as a new route.

Control unit features

The Lowrance HOOK2-9 TripleShot Navionics+ features a 9-inch, full-color SolarMax display, with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It also integrates LED backlight for enhanced readability in direct sunlight. It is also IPX7 waterproof, which basically means it can support incidental water exposure.

The unit doesn’t have touchscreen technology like the newer HDS units; it is keypad-operated. It has a highly intuitive and easy to use interface and provides the possibility to work with up to four applications in split-screen format.

Like all the other HOOK2 units, the 000-14302-001 doesn’t have networking features. It only has the transducer connector and the power connector, no NMEA and Ethernet connectors. Therefore, it does not support Radar, AIS, VHF radio units, or other boating instruments. It also does not have wireless connectivity.

The unit has a microSD card slot which can be loaded with various charts or with a blank card for data backup. And finally, the box includes the classic tilt mount for the unit, and a transom mount for the transducer. The surface mounting kit for the unit and the unit cover are not included.

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;
• Navionics+ (U.S. & Canada) charts included;
• Built-in U.S. Inland maps;
• Compatible with Navionics Platinum+ and C-MAP MAX N;
• SolarMAX color display;
• Adjustable backlight for superior readability;
• Split-screen view up to 4 panels per view;
• Various functions included, such as Fish ID, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Circular Flasher, Colorline, Overlay DownScan, Sonar Autotuning, and more;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• Fairly easy to install;
• One year warranty.

The Cons

• Not a networkable unit (no NMEA or Ethernet ports);
• No unit cover;
• Doesn’t support external GPS or AIS units.

Summary

The Lowrance HOOK2-9 TripleShot Nav+ is a fish finder and chartplotter offering TripleShot sonar (SideScan, DownScan, and 2D CHIRP), GPS, and Navionics+ charts. It includes the TripleShot transducer and also has the U.S. Inland basic chart platform built-in. It’s one of the most affordable 9-inch units with side-scanning sonar and fits a wide array of boats.