I'm thinking of upgrading from HDS-7 gen2's to HDS-9 gen2 touch units. Will everything remain the same for my sonar recording and RM map building?

Also... if I record with the Side Scan "on", will I get the additional depth readings from out and away from the boat as well as the readings from directly below the boat to allow me to make less and wider tracks/trails while recording my sonar? Being able to make wider, more separated passes/tracks/trails would really help me cut down on the time I spend recording. Reason? I've got a a big lake I'm going to get started this spring and I want to be able to cover ground quicker. Its a big project.

Thanks!

Everything will remain the same in terms of sonar recording and RM map building, although if you are not using the downscan beam now (you would need the structure scan module too do this), you would have that option with the gen2 touch. I find the 800 kHz downscan provides the best bottom signal, makes the most accurate maps.

As for depth readings away from the boat...no. Unforetunately, sidescan doesn't work that way. It will however reveal features that nessecitate additional passes to capture their detail. But it isn't going to reduce your workload per se.

There is already everything written, except one thing: think about a Gen 3 instead of the Touch Gen2. You will loose nothing and win another lot with this unit.

I had a Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 2 Touch and now a Gen 3. The touchscreen works better then on the Gen2.

I'd like the idea of the Gen3's but at twice the price plus a little more, I could only afford 1 unit. These sonars are just becoming to damned expensive.

I can get the the two gen2 HDS-9 touches at a great price and they'll give me bigger screens, (Good for my aging eye's), better 2D imaging, built in SS, which means down scan on my trolling motor (the ability to use the HDI combo transducer) and so on.

Main thing is, I'll be able to keep on doing what I have been to get these lake maps done. Thanks all!

My 2 cents.

Like with most things in the marine industry, every second generation is a lot better then the other. Gen 1 was a lot better, Gen 2 was just faster and had structuremap. Gen 2 Touch was a lot better, Gen 3 is faster and with buildt in wifi and CHIRP. Gen 4 will probably again bee that much better, I`m guessing built in SS 3D, dual CHIRP and "interactive" 3D-maps.

Same thing with their lower range. Elite HDI was a lot better, Elite CHIRP was faster. Elite 7 Ti (at least on paper) is a lot better.

2 years between model changes is just a bit to fast for every change to be a major one.