Re: Lowrance HD's
There are a couple of good threads here about the HDS, but you will have only recent on-water experience given their 2009 deput. Lowarance is suppose to offer SI sometime this year. Otherwise, comparing HDS to SI, is apples and oranges.
I have used HB SI for a season, and would recommend it to someone that does allot of generally shallow water/structure fishing. For deep water and suspended fish, will not help much. It is an excellent structure/bottom contour finder. IMHO, fish are harder to detect in the SI image than in standard 2D. SI is good for learning new water, ie more coverage and less back and forth to determine how things are laid out.
Locating a good spot for the SI transducer can be a challenge on some boats, especially if you are trying to get a good SI at 5-6mph, and good 2D at high speed. Some have had to go to using a splitter cable and seperate 2D transducer. Also, do to the wide angle, you can get interferance from other things such as tabs and motor leg. Patience is key to finding a good location.
