Lowrance Fish Finder Guide 2025: HDS PRO, Elite FS, Hook Reveal & ActiveTarget 2
Lowrance fish finder guide 2025
Introduction: Lowrance’s Legacy Meets 2025 Innovation
If you’ve been around the water long enough, you know the Lowrance name. It’s been riding shotgun on fishing boats since the first paper graph recorders. Today, in 2025, Lowrance remains one of the Big Three in sonar electronics (alongside Garmin and Humminbird). Their gear is trusted by bass pros, walleye hunters, and inshore saltwater guides alike.
What makes Lowrance different? They’ve always leaned hard into imaging clarity, live sonar innovation, and deep mapping options. For 2025, that continues with the HDS PRO flagship, the versatile Elite FS, the budget-friendly Hook Reveal, and the upgrade every tinkerer dreams of — ActiveTarget 2 Live Sonar. Add in some still-relevant legacy models (HDS LIVE, Hook2), and you’ve got a full lineup that fits everyone from the bank angler to the tournament hammer.
This post is your full Bark & Brass guide to Lowrance in 2025. We’ll cover specs, real-world use, pros and cons, Amazon links, and setup tips. And we’ll do it in a way that feels like you’re holding one of these units in your lap, poking at buttons, and deciding whether it’s worth the price tag.
Internal links:
Parent silo: The Best Fish Finders of 2025: Humminbird, Lowrance & Garmin
Sibling guides: Garmin Fish Finder Guide 2025 and Humminbird.
Why Choose Lowrance in 2025?
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ActiveTarget™ 2 Live Sonar: Competes with Garmin LiveScope and Humminbird MEGA Live. Smooth, crisp, nearly lag-free.
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Active Imaging™ HD: Side and down imaging with CHIRP. Structures pop.
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C-MAP charts: Excellent inland and coastal detail. Smart routing for navigation.
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User interface: Intuitive menus, customizable dashboards.
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Range of models: From $400 Hook Reveal units to $4,000 HDS PRO battle stations.
If you want clean sonar, reliable mapping, and tournament-proven live sonar, Lowrance should be on your shortlist.
Lowrance HDS PRO (Flagship)
The HDS PRO is the Lowrance flagship — big, bright screens, cutting-edge sonar, and full networking.
Key Features:
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Screen sizes: 9”, 10”, 12”, 16”
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ActiveTarget 2 live sonar support
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Active Imaging HD transducer (Side/Down + CHIRP)
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C-MAP preloaded charts with upgrade options
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Networking: NMEA 2000, Ethernet, radar, autopilot
Who It’s For:
Tournament anglers, guides, and serious boaters who need it all — mapping, sonar, networking, live sonar, and giant screens.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Brilliant, large displays (9–16”)
- Supports ActiveTarget 2 live sonar
- Excellent Side/Down Imaging
- Full networking for multi-unit rigs
- Pro-grade durability
Cons
- Expensive (over $3,000 for larger screens)
- Overkill for casual anglers
- Installation complexity
Check Price:
👉 Lowrance HDS PRO on Amazon
Lowrance Elite FS (Mid-Tier Workhorse)
The Elite FS is the sweet spot: powerful imaging, good screen options, and ActiveTarget compatibility — at a friendlier price.
Key Features:
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Screen sizes: 7” and 9”
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ActiveTarget compatibility
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Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer included in many bundles
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C-MAP chart options
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Touchscreen interface
Who It’s For:
Bass boaters, walleye rigs, and serious weekenders who want performance without flagship prices.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable compared to HDS PRO
- ActiveTarget-ready
- Sharp Side/Down Imaging
- Clean touchscreen menus
Cons
- No giant screen sizes (max 9”)
- Slower processor vs HDS PRO
- Networking more limited
Check Price:
👉 Lowrance Elite FS on Amazon
Lowrance Hook Reveal (Budget-Friendly)
The Hook Reveal is Lowrance’s affordable line, offering CHIRP sonar, FishReveal (combines sonar + DownScan), and GPS plotting.
Key Features:
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Screen sizes: 5”, 7”, 9”
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FishReveal technology (CHIRP + DownScan overlay)
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GPS waypointing and plotting
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Preloaded inland/cost charts on some models
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Simple menus
Who It’s For:
Kayak anglers, small boat owners, or budget-conscious buyers who want solid sonar without breaking the bank.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable price point
- FishReveal simplifies target ID
- Lightweight, kayak-friendly
- GPS plotting and waypoints
Cons
- No ActiveTarget support
- Mapping is limited
- Basic build vs premium lines
Check Price:
👉 Lowrance Hook Reveal on Amazon
Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 (Live Sonar Add-On)
Want real-time sonar? ActiveTarget 2 is Lowrance’s answer to LiveScope.
Key Features:
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Modes: Forward, Down, Scout
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Nearly lag-free sonar imaging
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Crisp separation between fish and structure
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Mountable on trolling motor or pole
Who It’s For:
Anglers chasing suspended fish (bass, crappie, walleye). Tournament-level tool.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- See fish movements live
- Multiple viewing angles
- Sharp image quality
- Strong competitor to LiveScope
Cons
- Expensive add-on
- Requires Elite FS or HDS PRO
- Setup adds complexity
Check Price:
👉 Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 on Amazon
Legacy Models Still Worth Buying
Lowrance HDS LIVE
Still sold and discounted. A step below HDS PRO but still powerful.
👉 HDS LIVE on Amazon
Lowrance Hook2
Basic, no-frills entry sonar. Cheap and functional.
👉 Hook2 on Amazon
Comparison Table
| Model | Screen Sizes | Sonar | Mapping | Live Sonar | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDS PRO | 9–16” | CHIRP, Side/Down, Active Imaging HD | C-MAP | Yes (ActiveTarget 2) | $2,500–$4,000 |
| Elite FS | 7–9” | CHIRP, Side/Down | C-MAP | Yes (ActiveTarget) | $900–$1,500 |
| Hook Reveal | 5–9” | CHIRP + DownScan + FishReveal | Basic mapping | No | $400–$900 |
| ActiveTarget 2 | — | Live Sonar | — | Yes | $1,500–$2,000 |
Which Lowrance Is Right for You?
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Tournament pro? HDS PRO + ActiveTarget 2.
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Serious weekend angler? Elite FS (7sv or 9sv).
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Budget/kayak? Hook Reveal 7.
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Entry-level? Hook2.
Setup Tips
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Transducer placement is everything. Level SideScan, keep ActiveTarget on a pole if you want independent movement.
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Power wiring: Direct to battery, fused, avoid trolling motor interference.
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Networking: HDS PRO supports full network rigs.
Real-World Use Cases
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Bass: ActiveTarget shines — you can watch fish follow your lure.
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Crappie: Brush pile scanning.
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Walleye: Trolling with SideScan + ActiveTarget for vertical jigging.
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Inshore: Mapping and SideScan help track oyster bars, cuts, and bait schools.
FAQs
Q: Do I need ActiveTarget 2?
A: If you target suspended fish, yes. Otherwise, Side/Down Imaging may be plenty.
Q: What’s the best screen size?
A: 7–9” works for most; 12–16” if you split multiple views.
Q: Hook Reveal vs Elite FS?
A: Reveal = budget sonar/GPS. Elite FS = add-ons + ActiveTarget support.
Final Thoughts
Lowrance’s 2025 lineup covers everyone. From the budget Hook Reveal, to the versatile Elite FS, to the powerhouse HDS PRO, there’s a unit with your name on it. Add ActiveTarget 2, and you’re not just fishing — you’re sight-casting into the future.
👉 Check the full comparison in our parent silo: The Best Fish Finders of 2025: Humminbird, Lowrance & Garmin