Collection: Real-Time Sonar

Live sonar: see fish, structures, and lures in real time

The live sonar, often called live sonar, displays an updated acoustic image around the boat. Unlike a traditional fishfinder that mainly shows a history of what has just passed under the transducer, live sonar lets you observe fish, structures, and the lure during active fishing.

This collection includes Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 solutions for technical fishing: complete kit, processor module, and dedicated transducer. The goal is to build a consistent setup with a compatible display, clean power supply, properly mounted transducer, and clear configuration for vertical fishing, prospecting, or approaching structures.

Complete kit, module only, or transducer only

The Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 live sonar is the most direct solution for a first installation: it includes all the necessary components to create a live system around a compatible Lowrance display. This is the preferred choice when the boat is not yet equipped with an ActiveTarget 2 module or transducer.

The ActiveTarget 2 module only is suitable for setups where the transducer is already installed or being replaced separately. The ActiveTarget 2 transducer only allows you to upgrade or repair an existing installation without replacing the entire system.

Fishing applications

Live sonar is used to monitor what is happening ahead, below, or around the boat in real time. In vertical fishing, it helps position the lure in the correct water layer and observe fish reactions. In prospecting, it allows you to identify structures, drop-offs, branches, schools, and moving targets before casting.

• Forward view: useful for locating fish and structures ahead of the boat.
• Down view: suited for vertical fishing, slow trolling, and tracking the lure under the boat.
• Scout mode: useful for scanning a wider area and understanding bottom composition.

Compatibility and installation

A live sonar system requires more than just a transducer. You need a compatible Lowrance display, an Ethernet network connection, a stable 12/24 V power supply, a suitable fuse, and a protected module location. The transducer must be carefully mounted so its orientation matches the intended use: forward, down, or side-scan.

The quality of the results also depends on configuration: sensitivity, contrast, color palette, depth range, range, and noise reduction must be adjusted based on depth, speed, water conditions, target type, and fishing style. A poorly oriented or underpowered installation can severely limit the effectiveness of live sonar.

Choosing the right live sonar

Before ordering, check your display model, available ports, Ethernet cabling, module location, transducer cable length, and mounting bracket. For a first installation, the complete kit is often simpler. For upgrades or repairs, the module-only or transducer-only options allow for more precise intervention.

To complete your fishing electronics, also see the collections live & real-time transducers, fishfinder modules, transducers, fishing, electronics & navigation, and Navico Group.