Lowrance 7HDI Transducer

This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 8 months ago by cb2structural.

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

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September 26, 2013 at 2:36 pm #266494

cb2structural
Participant

I know that the 7HDI is a popular unit right now. I just purchased one myself from BBG Marine after doing a thorough comparison to other units.I have two questions for those who have bought this unit:With the down-imagining technology, is it ok to mount the transducer in the bilge? I dont know if the down-imaging works in a thru-hull application.Secondly, for those who have gone transducer mounted to the exterior on the transom, has anybody used a method that does not require drilling holes in the transom? For example, expoxying a square of material to the transom and then anchoring the transducer bracket to the expoxied block?Thanks for all the input!

September 27, 2013 at 2:09 am #266495

drcrow2
Participant

I mounted mine to the jackplate. Granted it does not read once your on plane but if I remember right it wont read over 40 mph anyway. Here are some photos of my set up.

September 27, 2013 at 2:17 am #266496

pchapin
Participant

I recently put an Elite 7X HDI on my Pantera Classic. I am getting good reading at over 60mph with transducer transom mounted.

September 27, 2013 at 2:42 am #266497

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

^^^ you got a pic of how you mounted yours?13 PIV w/ 200 MercIG: WarriorRiverCustomRods

September 27, 2013 at 2:48 am #266498

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

These will shoot through the hull if you hae the output to 455.

September 27, 2013 at 11:03 am #266499

chriswb98
Participant

I suggest you mount the HDI transducer externally. Theres two crystals in one HDI transducer, one that works at the 83/200 frequency and one that works at the 455/800 frequency. The 83/200 (2D sonar), better known as the broadband sonar crystal, will work just fine in a shoot-thru-fiberglass-hull application, but the 455/800 DownScan Imaging (DSI) crystal wont work nearly as good as advertised, or wont work at all in some cases if mounted in the boat. The DSI wont work well much beyond 5-10 mph, even if mounted in the most the perfect location externally on your hull. The 2D sonar will work good at much higher speeds installed internally or externally. The exact speed at which you get a good 2D reading will be dictated by mounting location. Ive had some 2D transducers mounted internally that have read bottom up to around 65 mph. Hope this helps.

September 27, 2013 at 12:32 pm #266500

cb2structural
Participant

Thanks for all the information.DrCrow, I think thats how I may mount my transducer as well. Typically, when Im running down the lake, I like to use the flasher…..so If I have mapping capability from the 7HDI and depth via flasher, Im good. With the stepped back transom that BassCats have, its tough to find a good place to mount a transducer.Thanks chriswb98, I appreciate the great information.

September 27, 2013 at 12:45 pm #266501

cb2structural
Participant

Just noticed my PIV has a drop in the hull that drcrows boat doesnt have. Ill have to study this this weekend. I cant go on the low portion of the hull, as the transducer would likely hit trailer when loading/unloading.My extents of my jackplate may not place the transducer low enough.Ill let you guys know what I discover.

September 27, 2013 at 12:54 pm #266502

polaris425
Participant

This has me a little worried now lol… I know the x-ducer for my 5DSI will be a little different but…13 PIV w/ 200 MercIG: WarriorRiverCustomRods

September 28, 2013 at 2:54 am #266503

cb2structural
Participant

I started looking at running my transducer wire from the bilge to the console. Since Im no longer using my humminbird 97s gps puck, I was going to use the puck wire to pull a string thru the hull that I could then tie my new transducer chord to and pull it back thru. When I started to try and pull the puck chord, the chord felt pretty snug in the side of the hull. I could pull wire, but it was not free. I didnt have time to mess with it for very long…..which brings me to this question: Are transducer and puck wires zip tied to the wire bundle when Basscats are built? Is it possible to use those wires to pull other wires and string, or, will I have to fish the new transducer wire by itself through a different opening?
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