Lowrance Active Target 2 XL Review: Is the 180° Live Sonar Worth the Upgrade?

Lowrance Active Target 2 XL Review: Is the 180° Live Sonar Worth the Upgrade?

The game of live sonar just got a whole lot wider. Lowrance recently unveiled the ActiveTarget 2 XL, a significant expansion to their industry-leading live sonar lineup. If you’ve ever felt like you were "chasing" fish off the edge of your screen, the XL was built specifically for you.

But is it just a bigger transducer, or a total game-changer for your HDS unit? Let’s dive into the specs, the new views, and whether you should swap out your current setup.

What is ActiveTarget 2 XL?

The "XL" stands for more than just size. While the original ActiveTarget 2 offers an impressive 135-degree view, the ActiveTarget 2 XL delivers a full 180-degree surface-to-surface view.

By expanding the beam, Lowrance has eliminated the "dead zones" at the top and bottom of your screen. You can now see your lure the second it hits the surface and track it all the way to the strike without losing the image.

Key Features at a Glance

  • 180° Live Coverage: Surface-to-surface views in Forward, Down, and Scout modes.

  • Best-in-Class Resolution: Ultra-clear target separation to distinguish baitfish from game fish.

  • On-Screen View Switching: Toggle between Forward XL and Down XL directly from your display—no manual transducer adjustment required.

  • 360° Scout View: Use two XL transducers with an HDS PRO to unlock a full 360-degree overhead live view.

  • Easy Upgrade: It uses the existing ActiveTarget 2 module, meaning you only need to swap the transducer.

ActiveTarget 2 vs. ActiveTarget 2 XL: Comparison

Feature ActiveTarget 2 ActiveTarget 2 XL
Field of View 135 Degrees 180 Degrees
Cone Angle 18 Degrees 20 Degrees
Transducer Size 5.9" x 3.2" 7.1" x 4.5"
Target Depth Up to 200 ft Up to 200 ft
Module AT2 Module AT2 Module

 

The Real-World Impact: The wider 20-degree cone angle on the XL means you don’t have to be as "perfect" with your aim. It illuminates more water, making it much easier to keep your lure in the beam, especially in windy conditions or moving current.

New XL Modes Explained

Forward XL View

This is the "hunting" mode. You get a massive 180-degree slice of the water in front of the boat. Because it hits the surface, you can see topwater bites and shallow-running lures that were previously invisible on live sonar.

Down XL View

Perfect for vertical jigging or dropping on brush piles. The 180-degree coverage shows you everything from the bow to the stern. If a fish moves from the front of the boat to the back, you never lose sight of it.

Scout XL View

For the shallow water fans, Scout XL provides a wide overhead view. It’s the ultimate tool for finding bait balls or submerged weed lines before you ever cast into them.

Compatibility: Will it work with my unit?

One of the best things about the ActiveTarget 2 XL is that Lowrance didn't force a whole new system on users. The XL transducer is a direct replacement if you already have the ActiveTarget 2 module. It is compatible with:

  • HDS PRO (Required for 360° Scout View)

  • HDS LIVE

  • HDS Carbon

  • Elite FS

The Verdict: Should You Upgrade?

If you are currently running the original ActiveTarget 1, the jump to the ActiveTarget 2 XL is massive. The clarity and field of view will feel like moving from a standard TV to 4K.

If you already have ActiveTarget 2, the upgrade depends on your fishing style. If you struggle to keep your lure in the beam or do a lot of shallow-water/topwater fishing, the 180-degree surface-to-surface view is a major tactical advantage.

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