I bought my first set of fishing electronics January of 2023. So I've had it just over a year now. I went from never owing any to having a 10" echomap ultra, Lvs34 system & steady cast. It's been an awesome setup fory Hobie kayak! I've watched ton of videos on all the FFS's but only have experience with my lvs34. It is super clear & detail is better than what I was expecting.
Great! Let me know if you have any questions. So far Ive been very happy with mine. The main question people have is between LVS34 and AT2, which one is better- which to me is a difficult question, because the LVS34 is very clear and edges out AT2 slightly in that regard, but I REALLY love the Lowrance HDS system, and I have not had any glitches or "see-sawing" that I saw with the Garmin units. Overall the user experience with the Lowrance system has been excellent.
@@SonarFishing Appreciate the extra nugget there! I been conflicted on which way to go. Blessings to you and your family as I know it’s been a challenging time.
I have Active Target 1 and fully satisified. I love the lowance Live units and Ghost combo. The total feature set is simply killer especially when connected by ethernet and NEMA network.
I agree. Most people focus on the image quality of FFS, and in that regard, there's an argument to be had that the LVS34 edges out the AT2 in that regard, but when you also consider all the other benefits of Lowrance units/Ghost, I think people would be surprised how nice the user experience is.
Myles I run my AT 1 off of a pole and I always wondered if I should go 1 click past down mode or 2 for foward facing ? Now I understand how you can use either it just depends on whether you want to see the surface splash or not. Thank you 👍 Also there’s a UA-cam video on how wide the beam coverage area is for the Lowrance AT2 based on 10’ 12’ 15’ 18’ and so on. Very good video ! 👍👍
So that I am clear, if I get two Active Target 2 for my Lowrance HDS Pro 12 I will not have interference based on the Blue Wire to help with interference.
I normally double my range. If I’m in 20 ft of water, my forward range is between 40 to 50. I always have my contrast in the 80’s. Colors that works best for me is blue and the one you see in this video. I know you didn’t ask me but I see he hasn’t replied. Hopefully this helpful.
I called them and been following you since the Nitro boat, but in no way is $200 hour installation reasonable. I run a trucking business, and the shop rate is $125 / hr. They do enough boats that they should have it down to a flat rate of $250 / $300 install I did my Nitro and put in a Garmin 1022 etc in an hour and bracket. My Ranger 520R should be even easier already has big Guage wiring. But l am replacing my Active target with a Garmin live 34 1222 unit and will just use the Lowrance as a scout mode because the Garmin is superior IMO
Excellent demonstration of AT2. Seems much more sensitive than my AT1. Question. Many pros stress not staying in a spot too long. Do you think FFS will cause anglers to commit longer in a single location with testy fish?
That's a great question. Honestly, I do think that it can be easier to get hung up fishing a spot for too long with FFS because you may see fish swimming around and keep trying to get them to bite. I know that has happened to me many times!
Pretty sure it’s the same way as you record the screen when you’re recording the downscan, sidescan. Press the power button and one of the options will be screen recording.
It’s essentially where the whole image on the screen starts rocking back and forth. It’s a glitch that seems to be common with Garmin software and you have to restart the unit to get rid of it.
Before you ever started using FFS, did you think there were more game fish in lakes than what you see on the unit, or are there less game fish than you originally thought?
One thing about FFS is that once you start using it, it is incredible how many fish are swimming around. I see WAY more fish than I ever would have imagined without FFS.
After using AT for a while, are you still happy with mounting the transducer on the trolling motor, or would you consider trying mounting it to a pole?
I prefer to have it mounted on a universal 360° swiveling pole, and other friends who are avid fishermen and guides and some tournament fishermen have the same preference for universal swivel mounted transducers. It’s more useful than trolling motor mount. As you are only looking in the direction the trolling motor is pointing. Not always going to be casting the direction the trolling motor is going, especially when using it for times when you have it set on a preset waypoint path.
I've watched several videos and one thing I noticed and one thing I heard was the DELAY. If you watch the first catch with the crappie, the fish was on the hook before it ate it on the screen. Has this been fixed?
I have AT2 with the latest update and the delay is still there. It can be an advantage at times because you dont pull your bait away from the fish from watching the screen. I did that some on my garmin. I like both for different reasons.
In general it has to do with the overall size of the marks, but also the shape, and whether or not you can see the tail moving. With Crappie, I find that the marks are thin and taller, and I generally don't see their tails swimming. Bass are bigger marks in general, they also are found swimming faster, and you often see their tail "wagging" behind them. These are all generalities that aren't always the case, but are all good ways of telling the difference.
I will do my best to give you an unbiased opinion. I think that Active Target 2 still isn't as clear in some instances, but I have found that once I got used to it, the benefits I find with other aspects of the Lowrance make Active Target 2 not only suitable, but favorable. For instance, I used to have a lot of "See-Sawing" with my Garmins, where for whatever reason the image would start doing weird things on the screen and become unusable until I restarted the units. That used to happen a lot and happened with every unit I had, but with the HDS units I haven't had a single issue like that. Again, both are great FFS, and the LVS34 edges out in detail, but the AT2 really has been an easier user experience so far. I don't think anyone is at a disadvantage with either one, it just takes time to learn each and get used to them.
Garmin has a lot of strengths, but the more I’ve fished the Lowrance AT2 the more I prefer it. A lot of it has to do with how user friendly it has been. But if there is one thing I always try to push, it is using what you are confident in. Cheers!
It all really depends on what you're used to looking at. I used to use LVS32 and LVS34 transducers and now that I am using AT2, it all looks good to me once I learn them.
There's something fishy here...😅 Garmin has so much more detail than Lowrance with its 'vertical toothpics' on screen.. It's not even a fair comparison.
@@jdock32778 his screen didn’t look right. I’m not sure if he is running lithium or agm. Also stable view was on and noise reject. LS shows more detail hands down.
@mosesb3260 When Lowrance can actually show the shapes of fish and even defined tails on some larger fish like Garmin does, I'll check their products out. But for now, looking at disappeared, reappearing toothpicks on screen isn't for me. Resolution Matters. 👍🏻
I too have AT 2 and love it. If you "stop sonar" on your sonar page, it will stop the pulsing interference you see on the screen.
@@1justinp61 do you experience a small delay from when you work your bait to when it moves on your screen ?
@@davidraguse2106 Yes there is a slight delay. I think it's just part of the technology, my buddies Garmin does it too.
I bought my first set of fishing electronics January of 2023. So I've had it just over a year now. I went from never owing any to having a 10" echomap ultra, Lvs34 system & steady cast. It's been an awesome setup fory Hobie kayak! I've watched ton of videos on all the FFS's but only have experience with my lvs34. It is super clear & detail is better than what I was expecting.
That's a great system, and am glad you found products that work for your needs!
Prefect timing with this video as I’m considering buying one.
Great! Let me know if you have any questions. So far Ive been very happy with mine. The main question people have is between LVS34 and AT2, which one is better- which to me is a difficult question, because the LVS34 is very clear and edges out AT2 slightly in that regard, but I REALLY love the Lowrance HDS system, and I have not had any glitches or "see-sawing" that I saw with the Garmin units. Overall the user experience with the Lowrance system has been excellent.
@@SonarFishing Appreciate the extra nugget there! I been conflicted on which way to go. Blessings to you and your family as I know it’s been a challenging time.
I have Active Target 1 and fully satisified. I love the lowance Live units and Ghost combo. The total feature set is simply killer especially when connected by ethernet and NEMA network.
I agree. Most people focus on the image quality of FFS, and in that regard, there's an argument to be had that the LVS34 edges out the AT2 in that regard, but when you also consider all the other benefits of Lowrance units/Ghost, I think people would be surprised how nice the user experience is.
Myles I run my AT 1 off of a pole and I always wondered if I should go 1 click past down mode or 2 for foward facing ? Now I understand how you can use either it just depends on whether you want to see the surface splash or not. Thank you 👍
Also there’s a UA-cam video on how wide the beam coverage area is for the Lowrance AT2 based on 10’ 12’ 15’ 18’ and so on. Very good video ! 👍👍
So that I am clear, if I get two Active Target 2 for my Lowrance HDS Pro 12 I will not have interference based on the Blue Wire to help with interference.
Are you running lithium battery for your electronic
Thanks for the video. Could you share some of the settings you have your unit set at, like range, contrast and the color palette you like.
I normally double my range. If I’m in 20 ft of water, my forward range is between 40 to 50. I always have my contrast in the 80’s. Colors that works best for me is blue and the one you see in this video. I know you didn’t ask me but I see he hasn’t replied. Hopefully this helpful.
Thanks
I called them and been following you since the Nitro boat, but in no way is $200 hour installation reasonable. I run a trucking business, and the shop rate is $125 / hr.
They do enough boats that they should have it down to a flat rate of $250 / $300 install
I did my Nitro and put in a Garmin 1022 etc in an hour and bracket. My Ranger 520R should be even easier already has big Guage wiring. But l am replacing my Active target with a Garmin live 34 1222 unit and will just use the Lowrance as a scout mode because the Garmin is superior IMO
Reminds me of ice fishing on a flasher
Yes sir! Very similar indeed!
Excellent demonstration of AT2. Seems much more sensitive than my AT1.
Question. Many pros stress not staying in a spot too long. Do you think FFS will cause anglers to commit longer in a single location with testy fish?
That's a great question. Honestly, I do think that it can be easier to get hung up fishing a spot for too long with FFS because you may see fish swimming around and keep trying to get them to bite. I know that has happened to me many times!
Do you have a second black box and monitor for your scout mode? If not, how did you connect the two to one unit? Appreciate your time!
Yes, to my knowledge you need to have a black box for each.
@@SonarFishing Thank you!
How do you get your screen recording on the AT2?
Pretty sure it’s the same way as you record the screen when you’re recording the downscan, sidescan. Press the power button and one of the options will be screen recording.
Are both of your ffs AT2 or a 1 and 2?
Idk how you could from livescope to that
I;m looking into getting AT2, can you help a newbie, what is see-sawing?
It’s essentially where the whole image on the screen starts rocking back and forth. It’s a glitch that seems to be common with Garmin software and you have to restart the unit to get rid of it.
Great video... looks like you get a bit of lag... from when you move your bait and the image moves on the screen?
Same on hook set ?
Yes, there’s a small lag, but it may be even more pronounced by not synching it perfectly with the footage. Thanks for watching!
@@SonarFishing so in real time you there is no lag ?
It is a pro series ?
Your picture will be much clearer if you turn off the other sonars that are interfering with the image.
Before you ever started using FFS, did you think there were more game fish in lakes than what you see on the unit, or are there less game fish than you originally thought?
One thing about FFS is that once you start using it, it is incredible how many fish are swimming around. I see WAY more fish than I ever would have imagined without FFS.
After using AT for a while, are you still happy with mounting the transducer on the trolling motor, or would you consider trying mounting it to a pole?
I prefer to have it mounted on a universal 360° swiveling pole, and other friends who are avid fishermen and guides and some tournament fishermen have the same preference for universal swivel mounted transducers. It’s more useful than trolling motor mount. As you are only looking in the direction the trolling motor is pointing. Not always going to be casting the direction the trolling motor is going, especially when using it for times when you have it set on a preset waypoint path.
With at2 if to have 2 locators up front can you have forward on one and scout on other at same time?
Yes, I have been experimenting with it. There is a little interference that you get when they both are running but it wasn't bad.
I've watched several videos and one thing I noticed and one thing I heard was the DELAY. If you watch the first catch with the crappie, the fish was on the hook before it ate it on the screen. Has this been fixed?
I have AT2 with the latest update and the delay is still there. It can be an advantage at times because you dont pull your bait away from the fish from watching the screen. I did that some on my garmin. I like both for different reasons.
How do ya tell the difference between bass or crappie?
In general it has to do with the overall size of the marks, but also the shape, and whether or not you can see the tail moving. With Crappie, I find that the marks are thin and taller, and I generally don't see their tails swimming. Bass are bigger marks in general, they also are found swimming faster, and you often see their tail "wagging" behind them. These are all generalities that aren't always the case, but are all good ways of telling the difference.
Give us a honest opinion on what’s better? AT2 or a 34?
I will do my best to give you an unbiased opinion. I think that Active Target 2 still isn't as clear in some instances, but I have found that once I got used to it, the benefits I find with other aspects of the Lowrance make Active Target 2 not only suitable, but favorable. For instance, I used to have a lot of "See-Sawing" with my Garmins, where for whatever reason the image would start doing weird things on the screen and become unusable until I restarted the units. That used to happen a lot and happened with every unit I had, but with the HDS units I haven't had a single issue like that. Again, both are great FFS, and the LVS34 edges out in detail, but the AT2 really has been an easier user experience so far. I don't think anyone is at a disadvantage with either one, it just takes time to learn each and get used to them.
Good reply. I’ve owned both and gotta agree.
How deep were you fishing?
It was between 7-15'. I wish the screen recording feature didn't take away the range lines!
I'm sorry, but Garmin to me is alot more clearer seeing fish and my bait.
Garmin has a lot of strengths, but the more I’ve fished the Lowrance AT2 the more I prefer it. A lot of it has to do with how user friendly it has been. But if there is one thing I always try to push, it is using what you are confident in. Cheers!
Not gonna lie but my lvs 32 looks better than that AT2. Just saying!
It all really depends on what you're used to looking at. I used to use LVS32 and LVS34 transducers and now that I am using AT2, it all looks good to me once I learn them.
@@SonarFishing definitely!
My AT2 have 0 interference and much more details than this. Running it on a separate lion battery.
There's something fishy here...😅 Garmin has so much more detail than Lowrance with its 'vertical toothpics' on screen.. It's not even a fair comparison.
Yes but Lowrance units are easier to manage when it comes to setting.
@@Fire84569 Yes.. But for me, the detail on screen isn't a fair comparison. Settings are fun to learn.
@@jdock32778 his screen didn’t look right. I’m not sure if he is running lithium or agm. Also stable view was on and noise reject. LS shows more detail hands down.
@mosesb3260 When Lowrance can actually show the shapes of fish and even defined tails on some larger fish like Garmin does, I'll check their products out. But for now, looking at disappeared, reappearing toothpicks on screen isn't for me. Resolution Matters. 👍🏻
@@jdock32778 I can see the shape of fish with Lowrance. I also can see the tail move, which I think is cool.
so much interference in that display, unwatchable...
Honestly it looks awful
Jesus....this guy is everything wrong with fishing...lets make it a freaking video game instead of actual fishing.
Cry harder
Don't be a Randy.
@@PunchFishing Don't be a loser