BFE Tech Talk: How to Update Your Lowrance HDS & ActiveTarget Firmware

We get a ton of questions about keeping marine electronics up to date. Today, we’re going over a quick tutorial on how to run a software update on your Lowrance unit and your ActiveTarget module.

Don't sweat it—this is a super easy, step-by-step process. Let’s dive right in.

What You’ll Need

• A Micro SD Card: It must be 32GB or smaller (8GB, 16GB, or 32GB work perfectly). Anything larger might not read properly.

• A Computer/Laptop: To grab the files from the web.

• Your Lowrance Unit: In this walkthrough, we are updating an HDS Pro and an ActiveTarget 2 module.

Phase 1: Downloading the Updates

1. Prep the Card: Insert your Micro SD card into your laptop or desktop computer.

2. Hit the Web: Head over to the official Lowrance website and navigate to their software update section.

3. Find Your Gear: Search the dropdown list for the specific units you are running. 

4. Download: Download the software update files directly onto your SD card.

5. Eject: Safely eject the SD card from your computer and head out to the boat.

Phase 2: Updating the HDS Pro Unit

1. Insert the Card: Open the card door on your HDS Pro and lock the Micro SD card into the slot.

2. Navigate to Storage: On your main home screen, press the Pages button, then select Storage on the left-hand menu.

3. Locate the Files: Tap on Memory card - Top (or whichever slot you used). You should see both your HDS Pro and ActiveTarget update files listed there.

4. Start the Update: Tap on the correct update (Ex:HDS Pro update file), then select Upgrade. A dialogue box will pop up—just click OK.

5. Let It Ride: The unit will reboot itself and display a progress bar.

BFE PRO TIP / CRITICAL WARNING: Do NOT kill your power during an update! If you cut the power or interrupt this process, you will turn your expensive fish finder into a brick. Just step back, grab a drink, and let it do its thing.

Phase 3: Updating the ActiveTarget Module

Once the HDS Pro has fully rebooted and returned to the main screen, it’s time to update the live sonar module. This one can be slightly confusing, so follow closely:

1. Back to Storage: Hit the Pages button, go back to Storage, and open Memory card - Top.

2. Select ActiveTarget: This time, tap your ActiveTarget update file and hit Upgrade.

3. Check the Box: A new "Remote Upgrade" window will open. You must check the box on the right-hand side of the screen next to your ActiveTarget device name.

4. Start the Transfer: Hit Start upgrade. The unit will now transfer the update data to the ActiveTarget 2 module box.

5. Be Patient: Don't get confused if the progress bar hits 100% but says "Synchronizing file systems" or "Rebooting module." It might take a minute. When in doubt with an upgrade, don't rush it. Let everything completely finish and reboot on its own.
   
   

Ready to Hit the Water!

Once that dialogue box says Upgrade Complete, you are 100% good to go. Both your HDS Pro and ActiveTarget 2 box are fully updated with the latest software.

If you'd still like to see this tutorial step-by-step this video has all the info:

Now get out there, find more, catch more, and remember to rig with BFE!