Lowrance HOOK2-9 TripleShot US Inland

The HOOK2-9 TripleShot is one of the new fish finder and chartplotter combos released by Lowrance for 2018. Although it’s a 9-inch unit, it doesn’t offer the extensive array of features of the Elite-9 Ti. However, it has structure scanning sonar, traditional sonar, and a reliable GPS system. For reference, this is the Lowrance part number 000-14301-001, the one that includes the US Inland base maps. Also, a newer model has been available since the beginning of 2020, this being the Hook Reveal 9 TripleShot.

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 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

As its name suggests, this Lowrance fish finder comes with the TripleShot transducer (part number 000-14029-001). This transducer is similar to the TotalScan transducer, however, it only uses a High-Wide CHIRP frequency for the traditional sonar which scans within a frequency range of 200 kHz. But on the other hand, it can use two frequencies for SideScan and DownScan, these being 455 kHz and 800 kHz. In case you’re wondering, this unit is not compatible with the TotalScan transducer.

The included TripleShot transducer is equipped with a transom mount but can also be attached to a trolling motor. It integrates a temperature sensor, it has 20′ (6m) of cable with a 10-pin connector.

For the 2D Wide-Angle CHIRP sonar, the transducer uses a conical beam. Its coverage is approx. 40° while its depth capability is approx. 500′ (153 m). For SideScan & DownScan, the transducer uses thin beams, not conical. 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 unit offers most of the standard sonar features that the older HOOK-9 units had. To begin with, the Overlay DownScan feature and the TrackBack feature are included. DownScan Overlay combines the 2D CHIRP sonar with the DownScan sonar allowing you to view the fish arches better in relation to the structures or vegetation viewed in DownScan photo-like clarity. The TrackBack feature is essentially sonar recording. Not only that the system gives you the possibility to record the sonar feed, you can also scroll back through the sonar history if you want to review a certain spot.

The Fish ID feature is a 2D sonar mode that assigns fish icons to the fish arches. In other words, it replaces the sonar returns that it considers to be fish. It also indicates the depth of each fish icon next to it.

Circular Flasher and A-Scope are also available. The Circular Flasher mode puts all the sonar information into a ring format with the depth shown in the middle, while the outer rings indicate the strength of each sonar return. It’s a sonar mode best used for ice fishing or stationary fishing. The A-Scope is a vertical flasher that is shown next to the 2D view and shows the information of the most recent sonar beam. Other features available are Colorline, Bottom Lock, Fish Alarm, Surface Clarity, etc.

GPS and maps

The HOOK2-9 TripleShot is equipped with a high-sensitivity internal GPS. Its operating frequency is not specified but it’s probably 5 Hz, which means that it can provide position fixes 5 times per second. It can also use position enhancements from WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS satellites. It shows your coordinates as well as the coordinates of any point of interest. It can also calculate and display the speed of your boat.

Waypoints, routes, and trail recording functions are also available. You can save up to 3,000 waypoints into the unit’s memory with a variety of icons in order to make them more suggestive. The unit can also save up to 100 routes and up to 100 trails with up to 10,000 points per trail. Each recorded trail can be re-designed as a route; you can add waypoints to it, re-trace it, etc.

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the Lowrance HOOK2-9 TripleShot 000-14301-001, the one that included the US Inland base 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 and land accurately, and also include various points of interest.

The unit can be upgraded with various premium charts, though. It has one microSD card slot which can take Navionics or C-MAP charts. To be more specific, the unit is compatible with Navionics® HotMaps® Premium, Fishing Hotspots® PRO, Navionics+, and C-MAP MAX-N charts. The 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.

The HOOK2-9 TripleShot unit 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

This Lowrance fishfinder features a 9-inch display WVGA color LCD, with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. The display is a SolarMAX type with adjustable LED backlight which offers excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Its waterproofing is IPX7 which essentially means that the unit can support water splashes or other incidental water exposure such as rain, and even immersions in freshwater.

The unit doesn’t have touchscreen technology. It is operated exclusively through the keypad on the right. Its interface is highly intuitive. Its homepage can be customized in various ways, with the applications that you use the most. It also offers the possibility to set up a split-screen with up to 4 applications per view.

As we’ve mentioned above, this unit doesn’t offer the extensive range of features as the Elite Ti units, or Simrad units. Thus, it doesn’t offer NMEA support or Ethernet support, and it’s not networkable. It does have one microSD card slot, though, for chart upgrades or data transfer.

Finally, the box includes both front-dash and the classic gimbal bracket. A unit cover is not included, though.

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

• 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 US Inland is a fish finder and chart plotter capable of Side Imaging, Down Imaging and Wide CHIRP sonar. It has GPS and comes with the US Inland base charts. It includes the new 3-in-1 TripleShot transducer. It’s a great unit for inland fishing, but can also serve as a great tool for off-shore fishing and navigation if equipped with different charts. Although it’s a 9-inch unit, it is considerably more affordable than other similar units, as it is not networkable. In all, it’s an excellent fishing and navigation system, perfect for a wide array of boats.