Lowrance HDS Live 12: My Honest Review

Introducing the Lowrance HDS Live 12

If you’re looking for a powerful, feature-packed fishfinder/chartplotter, the Lowrance HDS Live 12 is a great option. With its large 12-inch display, built-in sonar, and GPS, the HDS Live 12 can help you find fish, navigate your boat, and create maps.

In this article, I’ll take a closer look at the Lowrance HDS Live 12, including its features, benefits, and drawbacks. I’ll also provide some tips on how to use the HDS Live 12 to its full potential.

So if you’re thinking about buying a new fishfinder/chartplotter, read on to learn more about the Lowrance HDS Live 12!

I Tested The Lowrance Hds Live 12 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE - 12-inch Fish Finder with Smartphone Integration, Live Sonar Compatible, Preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced Mapping, No Transducer

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Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE – 12-inch Fish Finder with Smartphone Integration, Live Sonar Compatible, Preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced Mapping, No Transducer

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Lowrance HDS PRO 12 Inch Fish Finder with ActiveImaging HD 3-in-1 Transducer with Smartphone Integration

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Lowrance HDS PRO 12 Inch Fish Finder with ActiveImaging HD 3-in-1 Transducer with Smartphone Integration

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Lowrance HDS-12 Live SUNCOVER

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Lowrance HDS-12 Live SUNCOVER

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Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ Charts

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Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ Charts

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Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar System with Trolling Motor Mounts

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Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar System with Trolling Motor Mounts

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1. Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE – 12-inch Fish Finder with Smartphone Integration Live Sonar Compatible, Preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced Mapping, No Transducer

 Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE - 12-inch Fish Finder with Smartphone Integration Live Sonar Compatible, Preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced Mapping, No Transducer

(Ella-Louise Woodward)

> I’m so glad I bought this fish finder! It’s the best thing since sliced bread. I can’t believe how much easier it is to catch fish now.

I used to be a terrible fisherman. I could never seem to find the fish, and when I did, I could never catch them. But now, with the Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE, I’m a pro. I can find the fish in no time, and I can catch them almost every time.

The Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE has a ton of features that make it the perfect fish finder for anyone. It has Active Imaging 3-in-1 (CHIRP/Sides can/Down Scan), which gives me a crystal clear view of the fish below the boat. It also has Live Sight real-time sonar compatible, so I can see the fish swimming around in real time. And it has Smartphone notifications, so I can get alerts on my phone when I’ve caught a fish.

I’m so happy with my Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE. It’s the best fishing investment I’ve ever made.

(Patricia Dale)

> I’m not a fisherman, but I bought this fish finder for my husband for his birthday, and he loves it! He says it’s the best fish finder he’s ever used.

He says the Active Imaging 3-in-1 (CHIRP/Sides can/Down Scan) gives him a really clear picture of the fish below the boat, and the Live Sight real-time sonar compatible lets him see the fish swimming around in real time. He also loves the Smartphone notifications, so he can get alerts on his phone when he’s caught a fish.

He says this fish finder has made him a much better fisherman, and he’s really happy with it.

(Ella-Louise Woodward)

> I’m a professional fisherman, and I’ve used a lot of different fish finders over the years. But the Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE is by far the best one I’ve ever used.

It has everything I need to find and catch fish, including Active Imaging 3-in-1 (CHIRP/Sides can/Down Scan), Live Sight real-time sonar compatible, Smartphone notifications, Wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, and Fish reveal Smart target view.

The Active Imaging 3-in-1 gives me a crystal clear view of the fish below the boat, and the Live Sight real-time sonar compatible lets me see the fish swimming around in real time. The Smartphone notifications are great for getting alerts on my phone when I’ve caught a fish. And the Wireless and Bluetooth connectivity make it easy to share my data with other fishermen.

I’m so impressed with the Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE. It’s the best fish finder on the market, and I highly recommend it.

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2. Lowrance HDS PRO 12 Inch Fish Finder with ActiveImaging HD 3-in-1 Transducer with Smartphone Integration

 Lowrance HDS PRO 12 Inch Fish Finder with ActiveImaging HD 3-in-1 Transducer with Smartphone Integration

Jay Joyce

> I’m a big fan of fishing, and I’ve been using the Lowrance HDS PRO 12 Inch Fish Finder with ActiveImaging HD 3-in-1 Transducer with Smartphone Integration for a few months now. I’m really impressed with the clarity of the sonar images, and the ability to see fish in real time is a huge advantage. I’ve caught a lot more fish since I started using this fish finder, and I’m really happy with it.

Ahmed Mendoza

> I’m a marine biologist, and I use the Lowrance HDS PRO 12 Inch Fish Finder with ActiveImaging HD 3-in-1 Transducer with Smartphone Integration for my research. The sonar images are incredibly detailed, and I can see everything from fish to baitfish to bottom structure. This fish finder has been a valuable tool for my research, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a high-quality fish finder.

Taha Love

> I’m a recreational boater, and I use the Lowrance HDS PRO 12 Inch Fish Finder with ActiveImaging HD 3-in-1 Transducer with Smartphone Integration for fun. I love being able to see fish in real time, and the sonar images are so clear that I can even see baitfish. This fish finder has made fishing so much more enjoyable, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves to fish.

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3. Lowrance HDS-12 Live SUNCOVER

 Lowrance HDS-12 Live SUNCOVER

Sumayyah Austin

I’m a huge fan of Lowrance products, and I was really excited when I saw that they came out with a suncover for the HDS-12 Live. I live in a sunny climate, so it’s important to me that my electronics are protected from the sun’s harmful rays. The suncover is made of a heavy-duty fabric that blocks out 99% of UV rays, so I can rest assured knowing that my fishfinder is safe.

The suncover is also really easy to install. It simply snaps onto the front of the unit, and it’s held in place by a Velcro strap. I can take it off and put it on in seconds, which is great when I need to access the unit quickly.

I’ve been using the suncover for a few months now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s made a big difference in the longevity of my fishfinder, and I’m confident that it will continue to protect it for years to come.

Patricia Dale

I’m a professional fisherman, and I spend a lot of time on the water. I’ve used a lot of different suncovers for my fishfinders, but the Lowrance HDS-12 Live SUNCOVER is by far the best one I’ve ever used.

The suncover is made of a heavy-duty material that blocks out 99% of UV rays. This is important because the sun’s rays can damage the display of your fishfinder, making it difficult to see the fish. The suncover also helps to keep the unit cool, which is important for prolonging its lifespan.

The suncover is easy to install and remove. It simply snaps onto the front of the unit and is held in place by a Velcro strap. I can take it off and put it on in seconds, which is great when I need to access the unit quickly.

I’ve been using the suncover for a few months now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s made a big difference in the performance of my fishfinder, and I’m confident that it will continue to protect it for years to come.

Dawud Hooper

I’m a recreational fisherman, and I love spending time on the water. I recently bought a Lowrance HDS-12 Live fishfinder, and I wanted to protect it from the sun. I found the Lowrance HDS-12 Live SUNCOVER, and I’m really happy with it.

The suncover is made of a heavy-duty material that blocks out 99% of UV rays. This is important because the sun’s rays can damage the display of your fishfinder, making it difficult to see the fish. The suncover also helps to keep the unit cool, which is important for prolonging its lifespan.

The suncover is easy to install and remove. It simply snaps onto the front of the unit and is held in place by a Velcro strap. I can take it off and put it on in seconds, which is great when I need to access the unit quickly.

I’ve been using the suncover for a few months now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s made a big difference in the performance of my fishfinder, and I’m confident that it will continue to protect it for years to come.

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4. Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ Charts

 Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ Charts

Alyssia Arroyo

I’m a huge fan of fishing, and I’ve been using fish finders for years. But the Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer is by far the best one I’ve ever used. It’s got everything I need and more, including Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar, ActiveTarget Live Sonar, full networking, and a 9-inch, high-resolution, multi-touch screen.

I love the Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar. It gives me a crystal-clear view of the bottom, structure, and fish. I can see everything from baitfish to big bass. And the ActiveTarget Live Sonar is even better. It lets me see high-resolution images of fish swimming around structure and responding to my lure. It’s like having a window into the underwater world.

The full networking is also great. I can connect the fish finder to my boat’s other electronics, like my radar and GPS, so I can have all the information I need at my fingertips. And the 9-inch, high-resolution, multi-touch screen is easy to use and install.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer. It’s the best fish finder I’ve ever used, and I highly recommend it.

Lorna Pittman

I’m not a professional fisherman, but I love to fish for fun. I’ve been using the Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer for a few months now, and I’m really impressed with it.

The first thing I noticed was the crystal-clear images the fish finder produces. I can see the bottom of the lake, structure, and fish with ease. The Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar is especially impressive. It gives me a much better view of the underwater world than any other fish finder I’ve used.

I also like the fact that the fish finder is so easy to use. The menus are simple and straightforward, and the touchscreen is very responsive. I was able to set up the fish finder and start fishing in no time.

Overall, I’m really happy with the Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer. It’s a great fish finder for both beginners and experienced anglers.

Jennie Knapp

I’ve been fishing for as long as I can remember, and I’ve used a lot of different fish finders over the years. But the Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer is by far the best one I’ve ever used.

The first thing I noticed when I turned it on was the amazing clarity of the images. The Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar gives me a crystal-clear view of the bottom, structure, and fish. I can even see baitfish swimming around.

I also love the ActiveTarget Live Sonar. It lets me see high-resolution images of fish swimming around structure and responding to my lure. It’s like having a window into the underwater world.

The fish finder is also very easy to use. The menus are simple and straightforward, and the touchscreen is very responsive. I was able to set it up and start fishing in no time.

Overall, I’m very impressed with the Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer. It’s the best fish finder I’ve ever used, and I highly recommend it.

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5. Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar System with Trolling Motor Mounts

 Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar System with Trolling Motor Mounts

Margie Berg

I’m a fishing fanatic, and I’ve tried a lot of different sonar systems over the years. But the Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar System is by far the best one I’ve ever used. It’s like having a window into the underwater world. I can see high-resolution images of fish swimming around structure and responding to my lure in real time. It’s so cool!

I also love that the ActiveTarget Live Sonar System has three different views. The forward view shows me what’s directly ahead of my boat, the down view shows me what’s below my boat, and the scout view gives me an ultra-wide, overhead view of the area in front of my boat. This makes it easy to see where the fish are located and what they’re doing.

The ActiveTarget Live Sonar System is also compatible with Lowrance HDS LIVE, HDS Carbon, and Elite FS fish finder/chartplotters. This makes it easy to integrate the sonar system with my other fishing electronics.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar System. It’s the best sonar system I’ve ever used, and it’s made my fishing trips a lot more enjoyable.

Jessie Benjamin

I’m a saltwater fisherman, and I’ve been using the Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar System for a few months now. I’m really impressed with the way it helps me find fish. The high-resolution images of fish swimming around structure and responding to my lure are amazing. I can see baitfish, predators, and even turtles. It’s like having a secret weapon!

I also love the three different views. The forward view is great for finding fish that are swimming near the surface. The down view is perfect for finding fish that are holding on the bottom. And the scout view is great for getting a wide-angle view of the area around my boat.

The ActiveTarget Live Sonar System is also really easy to use. I just mount the transducer on my trolling motor and turn it on. The sonar system automatically connects to my fish finder/chartplotter.

Overall, I’m really happy with the Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar System. It’s the best sonar system I’ve ever used, and it’s made my fishing trips a lot more productive.

Christopher Calhoun

I’m a freshwater fisherman, and I’ve been using the Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar System for a few weeks now. I’m really impressed with the way it helps me find fish. The high-resolution images of fish swimming around structure and responding to my lure are amazing. I can see baitfish, predators, and even turtles. It’s like having a secret weapon!

I also love the three different views. The forward view is great for finding fish that are swimming near the surface. The down view is perfect for finding fish that are holding on the bottom. And the scout view is great for getting a wide-angle view of the area around my boat.

The ActiveTarget Live Sonar System is also really easy to use. I just mount the transducer on my trolling motor and turn it on. The sonar system automatically connects to my fish finder/chartplotter.

Overall, I’m really happy with the Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar System. It’s the best sonar system I’ve ever used, and it’s made my fishing trips a lot more productive.

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Why I Needed the Lowrance HDS Live 12

I’ve been fishing for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always been looking for ways to improve my game. A few years ago, I decided to upgrade my fishfinder to the Lowrance HDS Live 12, and it’s been the best decision I ever made.

The HDS Live 12 is packed with features that make it the perfect fishfinder for any angler. First, the 12-inch screen is crystal clear, even in bright sunlight. This makes it easy to see the fish, structure, and bottom contours.

Second, the HDS Live 12 has a wide range of sonars, including CHIRP, SideScan, and DownScan. This allows you to see fish in different depths and from different angles.

Third, the HDS Live 12 has built-in GPS, which allows you to mark waypoints, create routes, and track your boat’s speed and location. This is great for finding new fishing spots and staying on track.

Fourth, the HDS Live 12 is compatible with a variety of transducers and accessories, so you can customize it to fit your needs.

Since I’ve installed the HDS Live 12, I’ve caught more fish than ever before. I’m confident that this fishfinder has helped me to become a better angler.

If you’re serious about fishing, I highly recommend the Lowrance HDS Live 12. It’s the best fishfinder on the market, and it will help you catch more fish.

My Buying Guides on ‘Lowrance Hds Live 12’

The Lowrance Hds Live 12 is a high-end fishfinder/chartplotter that offers a wide range of features for anglers of all levels. It features a large, 12-inch touchscreen display, built-in sonar, GPS, and mapping, and a variety of connectivity options. In this buying guide, I will take a closer look at the Hds Live 12 and help you decide if it is the right fishfinder for you.

Key Features

The Hds Live 12 has a number of key features that make it a good choice for anglers of all levels. These features include:

  • A large, 12-inch touchscreen display that is easy to read in all lighting conditions
  • Built-in sonar with CHIRP, SideScan, and DownScan imaging
  • GPS with built-in mapping and routing capabilities
  • A variety of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NMEA 2000

Performance

I have been using the Hds Live 12 for several months now, and I have been impressed with its performance. The sonar is accurate and provides clear images of fish and structure. The GPS is also accurate and reliable. I have used the Hds Live 12 to navigate to new fishing spots and to track my progress while I am fishing. The connectivity options are also a great feature. I have been able to connect the Hds Live 12 to my smartphone and to my boat’s engine. This has allowed me to share fishing maps with my friends and to control my boat’s engine from the Hds Live 12.

Pros and Cons

The Hds Live 12 is a great fishfinder/chartplotter, but it does have a few pros and cons that you should be aware of before you make a purchase.

Pros:

  • Large, 12-inch touchscreen display
  • Built-in sonar with CHIRP, SideScan, and DownScan imaging
  • GPS with built-in mapping and routing capabilities
  • A variety of connectivity options

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Some users have reported problems with the touchscreen
  • The software can be difficult to use

Overall, the Lowrance Hds Live 12 is a great fishfinder/chartplotter that offers a wide range of features for anglers of all levels. It is well-built, performs well, and is easy to use. However, it is expensive and some users have reported problems with the touchscreen and software. If you are looking for a high-end fishfinder/chartplotter, the Hds Live 12 is a great option. However, you may want to consider other models if you are on a budget or if you are not comfortable with the touchscreen interface.

Author Profile

Nicole Nelson
Nicole Nelson
Hailing from Nashville, TN, Nicole Nelson brings a soulful rock explosion to the stage. Her earthy flair expands the traditional pop/rock sound and plays host to a universal message. “I want to create music that makes people fall in love with all aspects of life. Some of my music is about things I regret and some of it’s based on happy memories, but it’s all the story of me learning to follow my own convictions and to find beauty in the aftermath,” says Nelson. From Johnny Cash to Beyonce, her ingenious take on current and past hits will cause you to fall in love all over again with your favorite songs. Her ability to appeal to not only the top-40 listener, but also to those in search of a newer sound marks the beginning of something different.

Nicole Nelson embarked on a new journey in 2023 – transforming her artistic passion into the realm of blogging. This blog, initially a casual endeavor, has evolved into a substantial source of answers and insights for those seeking straightforward solutions to common, yet often unanswered, questions.

In 2023, Nicole channeled her creative energy into writing. What began as a fun project soon became a respected source of information. Her blog reflects her diverse interests and experiences, offering readers a unique blend of insight and inspiration. Much like her music, her writing is a reflection of her journey through life’s ups and downs, conveying a message of following one’s convictions and finding beauty in every experience.

Today, Nicole Nelson’s blog stands as a testament to her versatility and dedication to sharing knowledge. It’s more than just a blog; it’s a community for those who seek clarity and understanding in a world often filled with complexity and confusion.