Lowrance HDS-8

by Jeff Smith
(Boston, MA USA)

I purchased my Lowrance HDS-8 to replace an older Furuno unit. I used the accompanying bracket to install the unit and it is very stable and easy to see the screen.

Lowrance makes it easy to see multiple windows onscreen at the same time. I typically use Chart and Sonar (with a through hull transducer)on the same screen.

It is easy to set up a waypoint or route. And there is a 3-D view as well to help guide you to your next waypoint.

Lowrance has software updates available on their website to download to your unit. These can improve performance and add features. An SD card is all it takes and it is relatively easy to do from your PC.

My only issue and this is not directed only at Lowrance, when I am moving in the boat, sometimes the depths and other data on the charts is difficult to read because the numbers or letters are too small.

Someone needs to come up with a font changing option in their charts so we can "read" the depths without eye strain or taking our eyes off of looking ahead.

There are many more features in the Lowrance unit that I have only toyed with. There are screens that can monitor your engines that could replace standard gauges already found on the boat.

Overall - I would recommend the Lowrance HDS-series to other boaters.