pieraddiction

New to the forum and have a quick question. Have done a ton of research but can't find the answer I am looking for. I fish Lake Michigan for salmon and have an LRA 1800 radar that I use a HDS5M Gen 2 to display. I'm buying a HDS 8 Gen 1 strictly for radar display to replace the hds5. Are there any downfalls to going with the Gen 1 vs Gen 2 in exchange for the larger screen size. Would like to add a heading sensor, whether it is point 1 or rc42. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Matt

abbor

As radar screen a first generation HDS will do the same job as a Gen2. Be aware GoFree will not work in a system with a first generation HDS.

stiletto

Gen 2 has a better processor and is a currently supported unit. The gen 1 won't get anymore updates.

pieraddiction

I know the processor is slower, will this be noticeable in marpa and overlay applications?

The Kid

You should be fine. But considering you are buying the radar new... look for the many navigation packages that are being sold.

For a little extra you can get a 3G and new NSS8 or NSS7 for a great deal.

Check BOEMarine.

pieraddiction

I actually have the radar already, LRA 1800. Want to upgrade to Broadband, but need to sell the LRA 1800 first, bought it new last year and wishing I would have went broadband right away. Thanks for the help, think I will go forward with the Gen 1 for the radar/chart display, and go with a HDS7 for the Sonar.

abbor

With the current rebates a new Simrad NSS8 will only cost $1000. NSS8 will integrate perfectly with your current HDS.

pieraddiction

Will the NSS8 be plug and play with the Lowrance LRA 1800 radome. I assume so since they are one in the same, but wondering if I need anything else if I decide to go this route? Pretty new to setting up boat electronics. Thanks again for all the help! Matt

abbor

LRA-1800 HD and Simrad DX42S-1 are the same radar with different logos so this should work fine.

If I remember correctly LRA-1800 HD is connected to HDS using Ethernet, if this is correct nothing additional is needed for connecting this radar to NSS.