Lowrance’s
Easiest-to-Use Model Yet
Lowrance nailed it on the head
when the company came up with the
tagline “We find. You fish.” to describe
its new Hook2 series of budget-friendly
fish finders. Basically, Lowrance pooled
all the best technology it has developed
in its high-end units together into the
Hook2 and then simplified the opera-
tion with one-touch button access to
key menus, basic menu screens, two-
plug (power and transducer cable)
installation and a pretty slick Autotuning
function that adjusts the sonar settings
(frequency, sensitivity, etc.) for you. If
you’ve ever been intimidated by menus
full of functions and settings, but you’re
not willing to give up any of the trap-
pings of modern sonar technology,
you’re probably a Hook2 kind of angler.
Lowrance broke down its Hook2
transducer choices into three groups:
TripleShot, SplitShot and Bullet. The
TripleShot transducer features 3-in-1
sonar with High CHIRP, SideScan and
DownScan. The SplitShot transducer,
which can be mounted to a trolling
motor or the transom, features 2-in-1
sonar with High CHIRP and DownScan.
The Bullet transducer, which is available
only on the 4-inch model and can also
be mounted to the trolling motor or
transom, features Broadband Sounder.
Another changeup in the line is a
new “2X” sonar cone that essentially
doubles the field of view when using
Broadband Sounder and CHIRP sonar.
Hook2 comes with screen sizes of 4,
5, 7, 9 or 12 inches, and Lowrance
offers various mapping options. Each
model comes fully packaged with
everything needed for installation, so
there are no additional costs. Prices
range from $99 to $1,499.
If simple, plug-and-play operation
with high-end capabilities is what
you’re after, check out more details on
each Hook2 unit and available options
at Lowrance.com.
Power-Pole’s Digital
Dashboard
Command and control are what you
get if you outfit your rig with the new
Power-Pole VISION, a 7-inch tablet-like
device that connects to accessories in
your boat to create what Power-Pole
calls a “digital dash.”
Power-Pole accessories can be con-
nected via the C-Monster 2.0 wireless
control system. Other accessories get
hard-wired to the VISION with an
included accessory switch. Once
added, you get full control and can
even add dimmers, timers or preset
functions. Everything from jack plates
and running lights to the bilge pump,
livewell and sound system can be run
off VISION. And because VISION is
NMEA 2000 capable, you can also
monitor engine data via digital “gauges”
and run diagnostics on the water.
That’s the operational side of VISION,
but it’s also a handy tool for finding and
sharing fishing information, whether
you’re a tournament angler practicing
for an event or promoting a sponsor, or
you just want to enjoy fishing for fun.
VISION utilizes the Android operating
system for accessing the web (via WI-FI
or a personal hot spot) and many fishing
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2018 I FLWFISHING.COM
and boating apps, including mapping
and satellite imagery programs that
make it a handy addition when search-
ing new water. Power-Pole even incor-
porated a camera, so sharing fish catch-
es on social media pages is even easier.
Other cool features include a “high
bright” 7-inch screen that can be read
in direct sunlight while wearing polar-
ized glasses, nighttime settings and a
swipe-down Water Shade function that
prevents spray from activating touch-
screen functions. It mounts in dash or
on accessory mounts just like most
depth finders.
Price is $1,595. At press time in
early January, the VISION system was
not yet available, but it should be on
the market soon. For more informa-
tion, visit Power-Pole.com.
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