Chris Walton 
Lowrance is a brand of high repute and comes with unparalleled appreciation for the kind of innovative products it has been making. The product in focus here is — the Hook2 9 Fish Finder. This fish finder creates a unique outlook of the area you are fishing in and produces results with jaw-dropping detail.
In this review post, we take you through the nitty-gritty of the Hook2 Fish Finder and share some of its equivalents that are also worth considering for their quality and price.
Also Read: Best Telescopic Fishing Rods: List For On-The-Go Fishermen
Lowrance Hook2 9 Fish Finder: Review
Lowrance Hook 9 is an angler’s favorite piece of gear that boasts best-in-class features and abilities that will make finding fish a wholesome activity. In the following sections, discover the functionalities, and ways to get started with the fish finder.
Interface
The Lowrance Hook2 Fish Finder has a 9-inch diagonal LCD SolarMax screen with an adjustable LED backlight that generates clear data even in the dimmest of areas. The brightness adjustment feature empowers you to customize the brightness levels as conditions play a see-saw amidst a fishing expedition.
With the pixel resolution of 800 x 480, the fish finder comes with the capability of producing vivid and clear images for sonar, and maps are the USP of this device. The lack of touchscreen capability doesn’t hinder user-friendliness, as the homepage can be customized to have the most frequently used applications available for quick access.
The device is IPX7-waterproof rated, assuring you the best of safety when it comes to resisting elements such as water splashes or any incidental water exposure. A feature like setting up a split-screen offers seamless access to up to four applications per view.
Overall, the interface of the Hook2 is highly intuitive and makes accessing features a whole lot easier and interactive.
USPs of Hook2
The Compressed High-Intensity radiated Pulse or CHIRP technology is a game-changing feature that enhances the tracking experience with massive coverage in less time. The technology, in many ways, is similar to the sonar and radar technology utilized by the military for decades.
CHIRP is a highly advanced feature that processes and displays two-dimensional sonar with picture-perfect detailing that is far superior to conventional sonar. The accurate detailing is mainly attributed to CHIRP’s function at diverse frequency ranges. As two different objects do not simulate the exact frequencies, the technology provides a clear view of different objects, fish, and subjects below the boat. CHIRP’s wide-angle system provides incredible results up to the range of 1,000 feet.
The next significant aspect of Hook2 is the DownScan Imaging. The DownScan feature brings sharp images from beneath your boat. Such a technology identifies and differentiates a fish from a fish-holding structure. By utilizing the DownScan Imaging with the CHIRP Sonar, the device shares a full-fledged view of the underwater environment, structure, and everything underneath the boat.
Another feature that draws the angler’s attention is the TrackBack feature. A wholesome approach to viewing history for future purposes. The sonar history can be later utilized to monitor a certain environment. The set of details that the feature keeps track of includes structure, transitions, fish targets, and zero-in on a location for references.
The TrackBack feature incorporates the use of Big Arch and Insight Genesis, both of which help in determining the objects. The Big Arch appears as a bait ball or in an abstract form that is hardly noticeable. Whereas Insight Genesis does come with handy benefits like — clear insights of the bottom lakes, and vivid pictures of the bed of the water body.
GPS Tracking has been the most sought-after feature of this fish finder. The built-in GPS function boasts a detailed United States map, which includes 4,000 lakes, rivers, and coastal contours up to 1,000 feet. You can further upgrade the map for more details by using an SD card. The upgrade will include Navionics Gold, HotMaps Premium, Fishing Hotspots PRO, and a lot more. Moreover, you can also create your own map using Insight Genesis.
Pros and Cons of the Lowrance Hook2 9 Fishfinder
The simple usability and majestic tracking details are some of the trademarks of the device. However, the product has a fair share of lows as well. Following is a quick overview of the product’s benefits and downsides:
The Hook 9 is a device that accumulates the available data and presents it in the most plain format possible. The package has been angler’s favorite choice for years, and there is hardly any replacement for the effectiveness it adds to fishing. While the product may lack in certain areas — you may want to check the following alternatives.
Alternatives To The Lowrance Hook2 9 Fishfinder
1. Garmin Striker 4
The closest in comparison to the Hook 9 is Garmin’s Striker 4. Barring the staggering price tag of the Hook 9, this here comes at a cheaper rate and with almost similar basic functionalities. The Garmin striker 4 can store up to 5,000 waypoints and routes, while it also enhances the experience with the option of selecting icons for certain locations.
Another key aspect of the device is the ability to view the boat’s traveling speed on the tracking system’s screen. Much like Hook 9, this fish finder incorporates the use of CHIRP technology for sending out low to high frequencies.
Striker 4 has the IPX7 waterproof rating, which resists splashes but is not to be submerged in the water. The display is a letdown, as the information displayed comes pixelated.
2. Raymarine Axiom 7
This seven-inch incredibly well-crafted gadget — Raymarine Axiom 7 outperforms the Hook2 9 in certain areas. This fish finder comes with the CHIRP sonar and ultra-wide CHIRP Down vision that gives an elaborate overview of the surroundings and underneath your boat.
The addition of the quad-core processor improves the finder’s performance and does it without any technical freeze. Unlike the Hook2 9, the display on the Axiom 7 is a touch-screen, for a more smarter and intuitive fishing expedition.
The built-in WiFi connection allows you to pair with the Raymarine App for seamless control, from iOS or Android smartphones. Also features the Navionics+ charts, which bring extensive coverage of the coastal USA and Canada and over 20,000 inland ponds, rivers, and lakes.
CONCLUSION
The Lowrance Hook2 9 Fishfinder is a worldwide acclaimed choice for anglers who make a living out of fishing. Loaded with unique characteristics, seasoned anglers have adored this product for years. Most features of the device, and the ease of usage bring more excitement to using this wholesome device when fishing.
The lack of a touch screen facility doesn’t bog down the professionals from having this as their go-to fish tracking device. Hope you found the review guide helpful. If there are better alternatives other than those listed here, please let us know in the comments section below.
FAQs of Lowrance Hook2 9 Fishfinder
Is it possible to enter GPS coordinates in the unit and have it guide from there?
Yes, it is entirely possible to enter your own GPS coordinates. The Hook2 9 allows you to enter your own GPS coordinates into the unit without shedding a sweat. All you have to do is: navigate to that waypoint or use the waypoints to create a route.
Do we have to pay for every map or just the competitor maps on the Hook2 9?
The Hook2 9 comes with the Navionics + map card for enhanced mapping options. All third-party maps have to be purchased in addition to this bundle package.
