Key points in 30 seconds
- SplitShot = vertical view (CHIRP + DownScan). You see what passes under the boat.
- TripleShot = the same thing + SideScan: a side scan announced up to 180 m on each side. You see structures and posts around the boat.
- The choice really only comes down to the 7-inch model: 5" Eagle models are SplitShot; 9" models are TripleShot.
- The Eagle sounder port accepts both transducers — but buying a second transducer later costs more than choosing the right one upfront.
- Workshop rule: stationary or vertical fishing over known depths → SplitShot is enough. Prospecting, posts, structures → TripleShot.
Table of contents
The two fishfinders in one sentence
The SplitShot HD combines two technologies in a single transducer: CHIRP sonar (the classic view — water column, fish arches, bottom hardness) and DownScan Imaging (a near-photographic image of what passes under the hull).
The TripleShot HD includes these two technologies and adds SideScan: a side scan that maps the bottom on each side of the boat. Same transom mount — only the transducer changes.
| Available view | SplitShot HD | TripleShot HD | HDI versions (50/200 or 83/200) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHIRP (fish arches, water column) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DownScan Imaging (bottom image) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SideScan (side view) | No | Yes | No |
| FishReveal (CHIRP overlaid on DownScan) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Strength | Fine coastal reading | Prospecting and structures | Deep water (50/200) |
Source: Lowrance Eagle range documentation, verified August 5, 2026. FishReveal and DownScan are not available on the Eagle 4x (Bullet transducer, single-frequency sonar).
What each technology actually shows
This is the #1 source of post-purchase disappointment, so let’s be concrete:
- CHIRP — for fishing: fish arches in the water column, schools, bottom hardness. This is the view you look at 80% of the time once underway.
- DownScan — for identifying what’s below: wreck, rock, seagrass, branch. Excellent for reading structure, less clear for isolated fish. Lowrance’s FishReveal function overlays CHIRP echoes on the DownScan image so you don’t have to switch between pages.
- SideScan (TripleShot only) — for prospecting: at moderate speed, you sweep a corridor on each side of the boat and spot rock piles, wrecks, and posts without running over them. Lowrance claims up to 600 feet (~180 m) per side; in practice, fine reading is done at shorter range depending on depth and water clarity. It’s the difference between searching for a post by crisscrossing for an hour and finding it in three passes.
Simple test: if your fishing consists of returning to known spots and reading the water column, SideScan will almost never be useful. If you regularly search for new posts — or fish structure (bass on rock, pike on drop-offs) — it’s the tool that changes the outing.
Decision grid
In the current Eagle lineup, the SplitShot/TripleShot choice really only comes down to the 7-inch model — 5" models are SplitShot; 9" models are TripleShot. Current prices are on the product pages.
| Display | SplitShot (vertical) | TripleShot (+ SideScan) |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle 5 | Eagle 5 SplitShot | — (not in catalog) |
| Eagle 7 | Eagle 7 SplitShot | Eagle 7 TripleShot |
| Eagle 9 | — (not in catalog) | Eagle 9 TripleShot |
SplitShot is enough if: you fish stationary or vertically over known depths, in calm freshwater or simple coastal waters. You’ll get CHIRP + DownScan + FishReveal — the essentials for reading fish.
TripleShot is a must if: you prospect (new posts, structures, wrecks), fish bass on rock or pike on drop-offs, or want to map the approaches to an anchorage. Side view is the only real difference between the two — and it changes how you fish.
In the box, and around it
Every Eagle pack includes the display and its HD transducer; the exact contents of the box (bracket, wiring) are listed on each product page — trust the page, not a forum memory. Three practical points to know:
- Twist-lock connector: the Eagle range uses Lowrance’s new twist-lock connector — quick installation and removal, handy if the display comes home between outings or moves from one boat to another.
- The transducer is replaceable alone: the SplitShot transducer alone and the TripleShot transducer alone are in the catalog — useful for warranty service (damaged skimmer on a dock, frayed cable) as well as upgrades.
- The power cable too: the Eagle 5/7/9 power cable is available as a spare part. It’s the most common transducer-related repair at the workshop after the transducer itself.
Installation: both transducers mount on the transom (skimmer). The rule that governs everything else: a transducer in the turbulent water of a strake or through-hull fitting will give poor images, no matter the technology. If in doubt about the location, ask us before drilling.
Changing your mind later: the common Eagle port
Eagle range feature: the transducer port accepts both transducers. An Eagle 7 SplitShot can later take a TripleShot transducer without changing the display. It’s real peace of mind — but not a buying strategy: display + second transducer bought later, the total exceeds the original TripleShot pack, and you’re left with a SplitShot in the drawer.
Bottom line: if SideScan is likely in your usage, get the TripleShot upfront. Delayed upgrades are for when your fishing actually evolves.
Limitations of SideScan (know before you choose)
Workshop honesty — SideScan isn’t magic:
- It reads best at slow to moderate speeds. At planing speed, the side image degrades — it’s a prospecting tool, not a transit tool.
- It’s a coastal and lake tool. The claimed range (up to 180 m per side) is a maximum: usable reading depends on depth, speed, and turbidity. In deep water, vertical CHIRP remains the primary tool.
- It requires a bit of learning. Reading a SideScan image (shadows, lateral distance) takes a few outings. DownScan, on the other hand, is immediately readable.
None of these points are deal-breakers — but if your program is 100% vertical fishing in deep water, SideScan won’t help: look at depth-specific transducer versions (see FAQ) or a chartplotter instead.
Workshop verdict: three scenarios
Choose SplitShot if your fishing is stationary or vertical, over known spots, in freshwater or simple coastal waters. You get the same quality of reading under the boat as TripleShot, for less — a perfectly respectable choice.
Choose TripleShot if prospecting is part of your fishing: new posts, structures, wrecks, bass on rock, pike on drop-offs. On the Eagle 7 — the format we sell the most — it’s our recommendation for most coastal anglers.
Choose neither if your program is deep water (look at 50/200 HDI versions, narrow cone that goes deeper) or if you want high-definition side imaging — distinguishing the branches of a submerged tree — which is the next tier: Active Imaging HD on HDS Pro platforms. We compare all this in the Lowrance fishfinder comparison.
FAQ
Can I upgrade from SplitShot to TripleShot later?
Yes — the Eagle transducer port accepts both transducers, and the TripleShot transducer is sold separately. But display + second transducer bought later, the total exceeds the original TripleShot pack: if SideScan is likely in your usage, choose it upfront.
What about the 50/200 HDI and 83/200 HDI versions?
Same vertical family (CHIRP + DownScan) but in classic sonar frequencies: 50/200 kHz for deep water (narrow cone), 83/200 kHz for coastal use. SplitShot prioritizes fine coastal reading. If you fish deep water regularly, look at HDI versions.
Does SideScan work in deep water?
Lowrance claims up to 600 feet (~180 m) of range per side; usable reading is shorter and depends on conditions. It’s a coastal and lake prospecting tool: in deep water, reading remains vertical (CHIRP) — this is also true for much more expensive fishfinders.
What’s the difference with Active Imaging HD on HDS Pro?
Same principle (CHIRP + DownScan + SideScan) but higher resolution — you can distinguish fine details of structures. It’s the transducer for HDS Pro platforms, another level of budget and ecosystem. See the fishfinder comparison.
Also read
- Which Lowrance fishfinder to choose: Eagle, Elite FS or HDS Pro — the range overview, to place Eagle in the lineup.
- Lowrance Eagle & HDS Pro fishfinder comparison — current models, table and calculator.
- Lowrance Eagle vs Hook Reveal: what changes, model by model
- Full Lowrance collection
About the author
Pol Conin, Digital Manager at Skysat. Software engineer and tech entrepreneur, Pol joined the adventure to bring Skysat into the digital age. Goal: transition from a classic engineering office to a global technology platform. See his author page for the full list of articles.
Transparency: Skysat distributes the Lowrance brand and sells the products mentioned; links point to our catalog. This does not alter the specifications cited, nor the cases where we advise against purchasing.
