Best of the current 7" Chart/Sonar/etc.

[Bergertime]

Not at all.. I am considering picking up another 740s so I can link them have one dedicated to charts and the other dedicated to Radar and/or Sonar.  I am keeping an eye out for a nice used one.

B

[SaltH2OHokie]

Buddy has a 740s on his cat and an HDS5 on his skiff.  Claims he likes the HDS5 better, but he purchased the HDS5 later and always defends his latest and greatest purchase as being better than any previous ones (this truck is the BEST truck...until his next truck, which is then the BEST truck, etc.) so I have a hard time telling whether that's his real, honest opinion.

I always liked the 740s on his cat except that where he had it mounted made it sort of a pain to use sometimes, but can't fault the unit for that.

[SaltH2OHokie]

Pretty much settled on the HDS7 touch, I think.  Now just have to make sure that my comptroller/wife approves.

[aquadaze]

Just a thought on the touch screens. The rep was at bass pro and I was talking to him about them. There may be issues with getting them to work right when they have water drops on them. I imagine the same problem I have with my droid when it rains and I need to text.

[wingtime]

I have a HDS7 Gen2 and a HDS7 Gen2 touch.  The touch screen is really nice for the GPS side... just touch where you want to go on the chart.  I didn't seem to have any trouble with the unit if there is any water on it.  Not like my phone.

[CLM65]

Do you end up with fingerprints and smudges all over the screen?  I tend to sweat quite a bit when the sun is hot and the wind isn't blowing so much.  My fear with a touch screen is that I would be messing up the screen all the time.

[seabob4]

Craig, although different companies use different technologies in their touch screens (GSR, tactile, pressure, etc.), they all seem to work fine with a wet screen.  But get used to fingerprints.  Garmins, Simrads, Raymarines, Lowrances...they all have the fingerprint issue, particularly if you don't wash off real well after applying sunscreen...

[SaltH2OHokie]

Long story...ended up buying a Simrad NSS7 Evo 2.  Will report on thoughts (which for the money, they better be positive) once I get it and get it installed.  Passed on a CHIRP x-ducer for the moment, but did get the LSS-2 for structure scan.

[seabob4]

Ryan, I've done an NSS-12 w/LSS-2 and CHIRP for a customer who deep drops in the stream (around 4,000').  There were certain features we had to "enable" in the system menu when first setting up the system (you'd figure they would already be enabled!) so spent some time on the phone with Simrad TS, but once all was up and running, my customer loves it!  I actually like navigating through the screens better than most of the others...

[TheKid]

I have an EVO unit. It's great machine. The CHIRP feature is awesome....so awesome I bought another NSS8 and Sonarhub to run another CHIRP ducer....and I can now run CHIRP and the LSS at the same time.

[SaltH2OHokie]

My budget was +/- $1,000.  Overshot that as it stands, so unfortunately CHIRP 'ducer will have to wait...hopefully not long.  Structure scan looks just like the screen shots Navico provides on the Lowrance/Simrad sites, right?  

[TheKid]

My budget was +/- $1,000.  Overshot that as it stands, so unfortunately CHIRP 'ducer will have to wait...hopefully not long.  Structure scan looks just like the screen shots Navico provides on the Lowrance/Simrad sites, right?  

Yeah, take your time. In the end it will be worth it. I would seriously consider saving the money for one of the B175 transducers. It is worth the money.

As for SS, it can provide same images. The best environment for good images is calm water 30-100' h2o, and 3-8 mph. Mess with any of those and your results will very. But you can still make out bait balls, and large structure with side scan. With down scan you can determine type of bait too. Well worth the money.

Install tip...dont worry about the transducer placement relative to each other. It is only for overlay of SS on regular Sonar page and it is worthless. More important is clean water and unobstructed view. This is a LONG transducer, the lower you can mount it the better as an outboard or outdrive will block the sound giving you a shadow.

[CLM65]

Long story...ended up buying a Simrad NSS7 Evo 2.  Will report on thoughts (which for the money, they better be positive) once I get it and get it installed.  Passed on a CHIRP x-ducer for the moment, but did get the LSS-2 for structure scan.

Any updates on the NSS7 Evo 2?  My old Simrad NX40 just crapped out so now I'm researching new ones.  The Evo 2 looks pretty nice.

[SaltH2OHokie]

Long story...ended up buying a Simrad NSS7 Evo 2.  Will report on thoughts (which for the money, they better be positive) once I get it and get it installed.  Passed on a CHIRP x-ducer for the moment, but did get the LSS-2 for structure scan.

Any updates on the NSS7 Evo 2?  My old Simrad NX40 just crapped out so now I'm researching new ones.  The Evo 2 looks pretty nice.

Sorry...been busy, and currently using work aircard, so I'm a hair limited on my internet "playtime", but I'm really liking the Simrad.  Can't say as I'm really stretching its legs as I'm in shallow water, no radar, no other NMEA 2000 devices, etc.  Structure scan has been fun to mess with, but honestly have spent 99% of my time since installing it running in backwaters and shallows, so I haven't really used it on the shallow (30-60') wrecks that I have in mind.

I have to fiddle with my regular transducer mounting.  At idle she's clean and clear, but on plane it's notchy/splotchy/unacceptable.  Same ducer on 19' Proline connected to a Lowrance 4" display reads clean, unbroken picture up to 30+ MPH...so it's certainly capable...

I'd say I would recommend it, if you haven't already made a new purchase.  Be ready to drill a HONKING hole if you're mounting it on the bracket.  Running all of those wires up there required like a 2.5" hole in the top of my console.

[CLM65]

Thanks Ryan.  The Simrad NX40 on my 205 crapped out a few weeks ago.  I debating getting a cheaper new unit to replace it and sell with the 205 when my flatback project is done, or get a new unit and transfer it to the flatback when the time comes.  I ended up with a NSS7 (non evo2 version).  It will eventually end up on my upper station on the flatback, with a NSS7 evo2 down below.  Should be a good combo from what I hear.