Breakdown

Technology Overview

Before starting the review, we wanted to figure out exactly how Lowrance was able to offer such a reasonably priced version of their live sonar technology, so we pressed pause on the installation and went to YouTube and the Lowrance website to get some insight. Here’s our key takeaway:

The live sonar used in the Lowrance Eagle Eye 9 Live is not ActiveTarget 2, at least not exactly. While it uses the same sonar beams, it relies on a single element rather than the three-element image that’s stitched together with ActiveTarget 2. So, you’re getting the same tech, just less of it.

Lowrance calls the single beam element “Live Sonar - Forward” and “Live Sonar - Down.” It seemingly delivers the same crisp, clear view of what’s going on below the surface, but in a more focused view. This setup offers some pros and cons depending on how you slice it, but the primary ones are listed above.

Performance: 9

On the water, we immediately found the display to be crystal clear without any notable lag as the trolling motor panned left and right. To help accurately gauge how the transducer interprets distance, direction, and structure, we directed it toward a nearby dock piling for a reference point. After a slight adjustment to the mounting collar to make it more in line with trolling motor positioning, we started testing various types of terrain to get acquainted with the unit. 

Open water:

In open water, the Eagle Eye 9 Live makes it very easy to spot fish and bait, differentiate between the two at a glance, and determine the direction or attitude of free-swimming bass. If you are looking to become a true minnow master and commit to this style of open water fishing, it is possible with the Eagle Eye 9 Live, but not as easy as it would be with the extended view offered by more advanced FFS systems. That being said, the Eagle 9 Live provided tons of insight over open water that would otherwise go unnoticed with 2D and even side/down scan sonar.

Points and flats:

The Eagle Eye 9 Live shined the brightest when fishing points and flats. Because the depth is steady when you are making repeated casts to a point or moving over flatter terrain, you don’t have to adjust the view settings. This allows you to concentrate on fishing and eliminates having to mentally recalculate distance before every cast. Fish relating to the bottom were easy to detect, as well as, bass that were hiding in brushpiles and laydowns. 

Bluff walls & steep banks:

There is definitely a learning curve when fishing terrain with a sharp fluctuation in depth over a short distance, like a bluff wall or steep bank. Because your depth and range settings are fixed, the transducer must remain very still or you risk viewing a narrow slice of open water or occupying most of your screen with bottom composition. It can be done, but it may take practice, an intentional drift, and optimal weather conditions.

Overall, the Eagle Eye 9 Live helped facilitate catches that otherwise would not have happened. Having the ability to see fish holding to structure allows you to pattern them quicker and have the confidence to make repeated casts to a single target, which ultimately means more bites.

Installation: 9

Installing the Lowrance Eagle Eye 9 Live could not be easier. A single cord from the back of the unit runs to your power source and another cord runs directly to the transducer. Mount the bracket, plug the cords in, and you’re fishing. This fully self-contained system makes installation and operation incredibly straightforward. It’s important to note that Eagle Eye Live fishfinder is not compatible with any other Lowrance transducers or units, so you’re unable to integrate them into your existing electronics. Overall, install time is about an hour from start to finish, even if you are not a wiring wizard.

Durability: 8.5

After months of testing, the Lowrance Eagle Eye Live 9 withstood the abuse of regular fishing without broken buttons or a chipped screen. During the test period, we protected the screen with the Tackle Warehouse Neoprene Fishfinder Cover to ensure it remained free of dings and damage, as the unit does not include a screen cover.

Also because the cost of the transducer is so much lower than other units, there seemed to be an added peace of mind when bulldozing thorugh shallow cover. It held up perfectly over numerous shallow water expiditions through grass and stick ups. It’s worth keeping a screwdriver on hand to check the fit of the clamp and the transducer after a full day of fishing, as they might need some minor realignment/tightening.

Value: 7

For any angler who is looking to outfit a jon boat, kayak, or simply add an element of live sonar to their existing electronics, the Eagle Eye 9 Live fishfinder is bursting with value. Do you get all the bells and whistles offered with an HDS-12 ($2999.99) and an ActiveTarget 2 Transducer/Module ($1699.99)? No. However, you are talking about a massive difference in price. Even when you compare it to the Lowrance Elite FS 7 XD ($749.00), which is the most cost-effective graph that is compatible with the ActiveTarget 2 Transducer/Module ($1699.99), you are still looking at a significant jump in pricing, and a reduced screen size.

Take into consideration all the features outside of live sonar, like a 9” IPS display, CHIRP, DownScan with FishReveal, and premium C-Map charting, and you are still getting a well-equipped fishfinder. Within the Eagle family, units with similar capabilities are only a couple hundred dollars less. So, if you are already kicking the tires on an Eagle unit, we would strongly suggest weighing the difference in pricing to get access to the next technology tier.

Utility: 7.5

While it might not be as robust as some of Lowrance’s higher-end units, we feel that for the price, the Eagle Eye Live 9 delivers everything an angler might need to effectively target bass. There are limitations to the unit when it comes to steep terrain and open water, but for anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of FFS, it’s an excellent choice. Live sonar aside, the Eagle Eye is loaded with tons of advanced, convenient technologies that will greatly improve your ability to target fish in a wide range of scenarios.

Final Thoughts

For the price, you are not going to find comparable options on the market. Specifically, we see this unit being well equipped for kayakers, jon boat enthusiasts, and anyone else who is curious about exploring forward-facing sonar, but not wanting to make a large financial commitment. Lowrance’s Eagle Eye 9 Live clearly displays fish and other underwater details that you wouldn’t otherwise see with 2D or sidescan sonar. If you are looking for a straightforward, cost-effective way to enhance your fishing experience, the Lowrance Eagle Eye Live 9 is it!

Breakdown Summary