The essentials in 30 seconds
- The 2026 Lowrance catalog is organized into three ranges: Eagle (entry-level, standalone display), Elite FS (touchscreen + networking) and HDS Pro (high-end platform). The Eagle Eye 9 Live is a special case: the all-in-one live sonar.
- The Hook Reveal range is end-of-line — replaced by the Eagle. If you are looking for one, read our correspondence guide first.
- The right method: choose the range first (standalone or networked? classic or live sonar?), then the size and transducer.
- Workshop rule: simple coastal fishing → Eagle. Networking, touchscreen or scalable live sonar → Elite FS. Complete ecosystem and maximum imaging → HDS Pro.
Contents
- 2026 hierarchy at a glance
- Hook Reveal: what you need to know in 2026
- Eagle: the entry-level that does the essentials
- Elite FS: the networked and touchscreen step
- HDS Pro: the platform
- Eagle Eye 9 Live: the special case
- Choosing by fishing program
- System budget (not just the display)
- Pitfalls seen in the workshop
- FAQ
2026 hierarchy at a glance
Three common ranges, one special case. Screen sizes listed are from the manufacturer's catalog; the models we sell are on the linked product pages.
| Range | Displays | Interface | Transducers | Networking | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle | 4" / 5" / 7" / 9" | IPS, buttons | SplitShot HD, TripleShot HD, HDI, Bullet | None (standalone display) | Coastal and freshwater fishing, single display |
| Elite FS | 7" / 9" / 10" / 12" | IPS multi-touch | Active Imaging 3-in-1, ActiveTarget 2; Active Imaging HD via S3100 module | Ethernet + NMEA 2000 | Boats with or evolving toward networking, optional live sonar |
| HDS Pro | 9" / 10" / 12" / 16" | Multi-touch | Active Imaging HD built-in, ActiveTarget 2 (up to 2 systems) | Full "bow-to-stern" network | Demanding structured fishing, multi-display, ecosystem |
| Eagle Eye 9 Live | 9" | IPS | Eagle Eye transducer: live forward/vertical + CHIRP + DownScan, all-in-one | None (standalone display) | Live sonar at the lowest entry price |
Source: Lowrance range pages (Eagle, Elite FS, HDS Pro), verified on August 5, 2026. Active Imaging HD on Elite FS requires the S3100 module — this is not a detail, it's a budget item.
Hook Reveal: what you need to know in 2026
The Hook Reveal range no longer appears in Lowrance's current series — the Eagle has replaced it at the entry level since 2024. At Skysat, Hook Reveal models are end-of-line: the product pages remain accessible with the recommended Eagle replacement, but we no longer supply them new. Transducers and cables remain available for equipped boats. Everything is detailed in Eagle vs Hook Reveal: what changes, model by model.
Eagle: the entry-level that does the essentials
The Eagle is a standalone display: it functions as a fishfinder and GPS chartplotter, very well, and does only that. No networking — what you buy on day one is what you’ll have in five years, aside from the transducer.
- IPS displays readable in full sunlight and with polarized sunglasses (manufacturer claim confirmed by our hands-on testing on the 7" model).
- Auto-tuned sonar (Autotuning): the unit adjusts its settings automatically — the #1 selling point for a first fishfinder.
- Two transducer families: SplitShot HD (vertical) and TripleShot HD (+ SideScan side imaging). This is THE key choice for this range: we detailed it in SplitShot vs TripleShot: which transducer to choose.
- Charting: depending on the model, via microSD card (C-MAP or Navionics) — check the exact model's product page if you navigate with paper charts.
Catalog models: Eagle 5 SplitShot, Eagle 7 SplitShot, Eagle 7 TripleShot, Eagle 9 TripleShot — and HDI versions for deep water.
Elite FS: the networked and touchscreen step
The Elite FS (« Elite Fishing System ») is Lowrance’s first networked range: Ethernet to share transducer data, charting and waypoints across multiple displays, and NMEA 2000 to interface with other onboard systems. It is also the first with a multi-touch display.
Concretely, what the range brings compared to Eagle — all manufacturer claims verified against the catalog:
- flat glass touchscreen with anti-glare treatment;
- compatibility with ActiveTarget 2 (live sonar, transducer sold separately);
- transducers Active Imaging 3-in-1, and Active Imaging HD provided you add the S3100 module;
- direct control of a HALO dome radar, Ghost outboard motors and Power-Pole anchors from the display;
- NMEA 2000: display and control of third-party networked equipment.
At Skysat: Elite FS 7 with xSonic HDI transducer, Elite FS 7 display only and Elite FS 9 display only.
The right reflex: choose Elite FS for networking or touchscreen, not to get a "better" basic sonar — an Eagle 7 well installed reads the water column just as well as an Elite FS 7 with the same transducer generation. If you're unsure, ask yourself: « Will I add a second display, live sonar or NMEA 2000 someday? » No → Eagle. Yes or maybe → Elite FS.
HDS Pro: the platform
The HDS Pro is not « a bigger fishfinder »: it is the heart of a system. What the manufacturer reserves for this range:
- Active Imaging HD supported natively (on Elite FS you need the S3100 module) — the finest structural imaging in the catalog;
- ActiveTarget 2 at maximum resolution, and — HDS Pro exclusive — the ability to run two ActiveTarget 2 systems simultaneously (forward + scout views, 180°…);
- full "bow-to-stern" network: multi-display, radar, bow thruster, sonar modules;
- 9" to 16" sizes.
At Skysat: HDS Pro 9 with Active Imaging HD transducer, HDS Pro 10 display only and the 12"/16". To compare configurations and prices, use the Lowrance fishfinder comparison tool.
Eagle Eye 9 Live: the special case
The Eagle Eye 9 Live answers one question only: « I want live sonar without building a system. » Its exclusive transducer combines live forward and vertical views, CHIRP and DownScan in a single sensor, with — according to Lowrance — the same live resolution as ActiveTarget 2. No module, no network: one display, one transducer.
For whom: the angler who wants to see fish react to lures in real time, at the lowest live sonar entry price.
Not for: those who want a scalable system — Eagle Eye is a standalone display, the live transducer cannot be shared, and if you plan multi-display someday, Elite FS + ActiveTarget 2 is the way to go from the start.
Choosing by fishing program
Choose Eagle if you fish inshore or freshwater with a single display and a tight budget. The real choice is then the transducer — SplitShot or TripleShot — and screen size.
Choose Elite FS if your boat has (or will have) a network: second display, NMEA 2000, optional live sonar, dome radar. It is also the touchscreen choice.
Choose HDS Pro if structured fishing is your discipline: Active Imaging HD imaging, high-resolution live, simultaneous multi-views, complete integration. This is a platform investment, not a display purchase.
Choose Eagle Eye 9 Live if live sonar is your single and immediate priority, with no system evolution ambition.
None of the four if your program is sailing with regatta functions (laylines, advanced wind data): Lowrance is fishing-optimized — let’s talk B&G or Simrad instead, we’ll guide you at the workshop.
System budget (not just the display)
Current prices are on the product pages and the comparison tool. What matters here is the cost structure:
- Eagle: display + transducer pack, possibly a microSD charting card. That’s it.
- Elite FS: display + transducer… then the options that make the range’s value: ActiveTarget 2 live transducer, S3100 module for Active Imaging HD, network cabling. Each component is its own budget item.
- HDS Pro: the display is only the entry to the system — budget for the transducer(s), network, and installation. This is typically where an overall quote avoids nasty surprises: describe your boat to us.
Pitfalls seen in the workshop
- Buy the display, neglect the transducer. Image quality starts with the sensor and its installation. A large display with a poorly installed transducer shows blur on a larger scale.
- Install the transducer in turbulent water (hull seam, through-hull fitting): degraded image as soon as you accelerate, regardless of the range.
- Confuse the ranges: believing an Elite FS « sees better » than an Eagle with the same transducer, or that an HDS Pro is justified without the system around it.
- Forget the S3100 module when aiming for Active Imaging HD on Elite FS — the transducer alone is not enough.
- Undersize the power supply: voltage drops and reboots are the most common reason for warranty claims on large displays.
FAQ
Can you still buy a new Hook Reveal?
Not from us: the range is end-of-line, replaced by the Eagle. Hook Reveal transducers and cables remain in the catalog for equipped boats. See our model-by-model correspondence guide.
Eagle or Elite FS: how to decide?
By scalability, not by image: at equal transducer generation, vertical reading is comparable. Choose Elite FS for networking (second display, NMEA 2000, live sonar, dome radar) or touchscreen; otherwise Eagle does the job for less.
Does HDS Pro justify itself for recreational fishing?
Rarely on its own. Its value is in the system: native Active Imaging HD, two simultaneous ActiveTarget 2, full network. If you won’t activate these features, an Eagle 9 or Elite FS 9 does the same daily service.
What’s the difference between Eagle Eye and ActiveTarget 2?
Eagle Eye integrates live (forward and vertical views) in an all-in-one transducer exclusive to its 9" display — a closed solution with minimal entry cost. ActiveTarget 2 is an additional live transducer for Elite FS and HDS Pro — more expensive, but integrable into a multi-display system.
Who handles Lowrance warranty service in France?
Start with the dealer who supplied the unit. For equipment supplied or installed by Skysat, our Carnac workshop handles diagnostics and warranty follow-up with the distributor. For units purchased elsewhere, contact us for coverage conditions.
Also read
- Lowrance SplitShot vs TripleShot: which transducer to choose? — the #1 choice for the Eagle range.
- Lowrance Eagle vs Hook Reveal: what changes, model by model — if you were looking at Hook Reveal.
- Lowrance fishfinder comparison tool — table, prices and recommendation calculator.
- All Lowrance products · All fishfinders & transducers
About the author
Pol Conin, Digital Manager at Skysat. Software engineer and tech entrepreneur, Pol joined the adventure to bring Skysat into the digital era. Goal: transition from a traditional engineering office to a global technology platform. See his author page for the full list of articles signed.
Transparency: Skysat distributes the Lowrance brand and sells the products mentioned; links point to our catalog. This does not change the characteristics cited, nor the cases where we advise against purchasing.
