For Gen2 units, it's pretty sick and addresses a whole raft of things I did not like about the existing software! Seems very good;

Dual charting
Auto contrast in down / sidescan
5ghz GPS updates - smoother track plots!
Screen shots now with PWR / PGE button not the silly enable box on startup!
Can now display pdfs!
New shading / contour edging
Faster pan / zoom
HDS Touch menu system...

Plus a whole lot of other features.

http://www.lowrance.com/en-au/Software-Updates/HDS-Gen2/

Release notes here:

http://www.lowrance.com/Global/Lowrance/Documents/Software/HDS%20Gen2%20%202.0-45.135%20Release%20Notes.pdf

Now installed, looking good. Cheers for the link

Thanks. I like the chart share thing too.

I have noticed some real big improvements with this latest software over trying it the last few weekends, namely the definition in sidescan and downscan is WAY improved, as is depth penetration, we we're getting a good solid sidescan reading at 70m which is brilliant! Albeit, only scanning to 125m either side, but good enough to see schools of fish and large stand-alone rocks. This was on 455khz and the new auto-contrast was doing it's thing very well too.

Also a good clean noise free read at 20 knots on the plane, they have obviously made some adjustments on the auto noise filtering side that picks up when a boat is on the move. Top work Lowrance! Anyone else had a good play? Keep forgetting the key combination for grabbing screen shots - that's the only negative. Downscan was also good to about 70-80m, much improved over the 'useable' 50m or so in previous release.

Common as AP, you just need to go to any retailer like Jaycar, Harvey Norman, JB HiFi, Noel Leeming etc and buy a small 2gb micro SD card, but make sure it includes the full size SD card caddy so you can insert it in your computer as well. Should be well under $10. If you get stuck, sing out and I'll mail the update to you on a spare I have.

Cheers mate, will pop into Harvey Norman tomorrow for a look. I've got a macbook, just looking now it doesn't look like its got an SD card slot??? If I get stuck I may take you up on the offer of your spare....happy to cover cost, plus can probably pick up as also based in Wellington. Cheers

Beauty! will be in touch if I can't suss it out. Cheers for the help

Yeah good point, I did notice a real lag when hitting 'page' quite noticeable!! Drifting at 5m zoom was great with new ghz!

 Here's a comparison pic of the new software VS the old, below is the old software;



Exact same spot using the new software, notice the difference in contrast and clarity, sand and reef pops out (easier to see at full size) and this is with an additional10m out to each side.

cheers mate will download that looks good for the point 1