Back in the Game!

[Geaux-Fish]

Been too long and now just purchased 2015 Ranger z119c with a 225 Merc ProXS with 270 hrs. I've missed alot since 2017...I had to sell my 2017 z520c to start building my house then covid hit then contractor theft which slowed down finishing house, and so on, and so on. But hey...finally back in a boat as things slowly get back to normal.
Boat has a 10" atlas JP and Lowrance HDS7 at bow using the built in transducer on the MK Ultrex, while the Lowrance Gen 3, HDS12 is mounted on BBT console using thruhull transducer. No structure scan, SI or DI anywhere.
Question: how can I get this updated inexpensively? Keep units and get structure scan, etc or sell units and get newer units to get the latest? Would like livescope tho. Not sure what to do with electronics as alot has happened in last 5 years regarding fish finding on today's boats. I can't keep up with all this new technology.

[krindgen]

Nice one, think you're lucky to have found that one.

Probably cheapest step would be upgrade to Carbons. If you kin find 'em, then go Active Target. Guess you could always switch to Birds. Many will be along with better advice. I still have a Gen 3 to replace with a Carbon, a second Carbon and AT in a box in the basement.

[Rangerboy34]

Congrats on the new rig! Your question really depends on what HDS models you have. If they're gen 2's or gen 3's to get SI and DI you'll just need an lss2 transducer and it's a simple plug and play. If it's a carbon or higher you can get the Active Imaging transducer for better quality SI & DI. If you want to add Live Scope, Active Target, or Mega Live you can get a second unit up front and run it as a stand alone system. If you want to stick with Lowrance, you'll need a Carbon or newer unit. That would probably be the cheapest way at this point.

[Geaux-Fish]

Edited OP: Have Gen 3's according to previous owner.
So I would need to upgrade to a newer Lowrance to get the latest SI and DI and Active Target? I've been trying look at YouTube videos to see how new boats are getting setup. Seems Lowrance is still the better choice for Di,Si and setting way points. Helix for the lakemaster maps at console. Choice varies between the two for bow along with Garmin livescope.

krindgen: Boat was immaculate, almost brand new looking. He definitely was OCD on its care. Got it for a great price, well below book value.

[besnyde]

Lowrance HDS Lives are on closeout right now in a lot of places with the Pro series coming out, you can get one or two of those with the 3 in 1 transducer you want and decide if you want to mount it in the back or on the trolling motor

[krindgen]

Edited OP: Have Gen 3's according to previous owner.
So I would need to upgrade to a newer Lowrance to get the latest SI and DI and Active Target? I've been trying look at YouTube videos to see how new boats are getting setup. Seems Lowrance is still the better choice for Di,Si and setting way points. Helix for the lakemaster maps at console. Choice varies between the two for bow along with Garmin livescope.

krindgen: Boat was immaculate, almost brand new looking. He definitely was OCD on its care. Got it for a great price, well below book value.

You can have SI and DI with the Gen 3.

What is Lowrance Active Target compatible with? Lowrance Active Target is compatible with Elite FS units, HDS Live units, and HDS Carbon units that have the required software update. Now let’s look at each of these series in detail and go over all the units that are currently compatible with Active Target.

[Geaux-Fish]

Looks like only real option for the units I have is the structurescan 3D. If want the active target, would have to sell current units and get the HDS live units.

[crawdadking]

Nice ride

[22RangerZ520R]

Congrats

I'm a Bird guy, so I'm zero help on your electronics.

[kry29]

I would add a livescope set up and call it good

[Geaux-Fish]

just the livescope? no type of structure viewing (SI, DI, 3D, Active...) to go with it? And that thru hull ducer he used doesn't get good results on screen, have to reset it alot.

22Ranger: my cousin runs a z521c and he is also a bird guy and recommends me get the Helix's and livescope but I do not have thousands to spend.

[krindgen]

Looks like only real option for the units I have is the structurescan 3D. If want the active target, would have to sell current units and get the HDS live units.

Don't necessarily need Live units. Carbon or Elite FS would do. The Elite, I think can't be networked? That Carbon may come with a 3-in-1 ducer that is better than Gen3/LSS2. Even better is the SS 3D for DI/SI.

[99R93S]

Can’t help with electronics either but welcome back and nice boat

[Rangerdeepv]

I have the exact same boat and you will really like it. It is not a 20'er or aircraft carrier by any means but more than gets the job done for me. Congrats on the purchase!

[Geaux-Fish]

Just a few better pics of the boat!

[Geaux-Fish]

Don't necessarily need Live units. Carbon or Elite FS would do. The Elite, I think can't be networked? That Carbon may come with a 3-in-1 ducer that is better than Gen3/LSS2. Even better is the SS 3D for DI/SI.

I found I can get a used structure scan 3D bundle for $300+ so that would get me SI, DI, and 3D, then found a opened box Garmin Echomap UHD 73sv with GT54 ducer and LakeVu 3g maps for under $400 which would replace the Lowrance HDS7 at bow plus i can get a used livescope for around $800 and use the 73sv for it. Granted it's not 12's but but it gets me something decent for less than $2k.

[krindgen]

I found I can get a used structure scan 3D bundle for $300+ so that would get me SI, DI, and 3D, then found a opened box Garmin Echomap UHD 73sv with GT54 ducer and LakeVu 3g maps for under $400 which would replace the Lowrance HDS7 at bow plus i can get a used livescope for around $800 and use the 73sv for it. Granted it's not 12's but but it gets me something decent for less than $2k.

Dayem. uragoodshopper. I bin thinking about upgrading my 3n1 to SS 3D. Fish some lakes with rockpile fields and think it would work well.

[Geaux-Fish]

Dayem. uragoodshopper. I bin thinking about upgrading my 3n1 to SS 3D. Fish some lakes with rockpile fields and think it would work well.

What Lowrance you using?

[krindgen]

What Lowrance you using?

Carbon.

[Rangerdeepv]

Have the exact same boat. Love the color of yours and it looks brand new. There is a Ghost on the bow and 2 8' power poles on the back and a couple Elite TI2 12's for electronics. No FF sonar as of yet but that will be the next thing.