Lowrance elite 5x dsi

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TCS
Posts: 67
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:18 am
Location: Palmdale

Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by TCS »

I have some questions that maybe someone could answer. Is this unit going to have a standard fish finding screen option other than the dsi? If not, will you still be able to view a bait being dropped on fish clearly using the dsi screen?
Thanks
Ken Sauret
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Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by Ken Sauret »

The Elite DSI will have the Downview version of Structure Scan as the only sonar option. No traditional sonar available. The Downview will show bait balls, fish as white dots or small lines when you zoom in on them and trees, brush and rocks like you have never seen on a sonar screen before. But, the Downview with the different frequency transducer that shows "structure" in great detail will not show your bait going down to the bottom. I have tried this in 455 khz and 800 khz on my Structure Scan and neither one shows my bait. If I figure out a special setting that will show it, I will let everyone know.
Ken Sauret
Lowrance Pro Staff
Lowrance http://www.lowrance.com/
Yamamoto https://store.baits.com/home
Dobyns Rods http://www.dobynsrods.com/
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briansII
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Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by briansII »

Hi Ken,

Can you tell me what size the transducer is on the Elite 5 DSI. Is it close to the traditional skimmer transducers. I'd like to mount a Elite 5 up front. with the transducer on the trolling motor. I'm currently mounting the transducer with one of those metal(aluminum?), protective housings. Can I do the same with the Elite 5? Will the housing effect the performance?

Thank you.

briansII
Ken Sauret
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Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by Ken Sauret »

These units won't be out until mid January and I've only seen the head unit on demo display's. I'm not sure what the configuration of the DSI transducer is. You would want to protect the skimmer on the trolling motor for sure. We just have to wait to see what the size of it is and if they have made a cover to match.
Ken Sauret
Lowrance Pro Staff
Lowrance http://www.lowrance.com/
Yamamoto https://store.baits.com/home
Dobyns Rods http://www.dobynsrods.com/
Yamaha http://www.yamaha-motor.com/
Personal Web Site http://kensbassfishing.weebly.com/
TCS
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Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:18 am
Location: Palmdale

Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by TCS »

How does the new elite 5x (non dsi) fishfinder compare to the hds 5 units?
Ken Sauret
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Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by Ken Sauret »

The Elite 5x is a sonar unit only. The "x" signifies sonar only. The HDS 5 is a full feature sonar/GPS unit compatible with Structure Scan.

In a nut shell the Elite series are affordable units with basic functions and the HDS units hit a different price point and offer more options for personal customization and the ability to optimize these features to expand in the future to the component system Lowrance offers, like adding the Lowrance Structure Scan, Sirius Satelite weather reciever, Sonic Hub to play your iPod or iPhone or a usb stick with MP3's, and more.

To make a legitimate comparison, let's take a look at the Elite 5 in this link;

http://www.lowrance.us/Products/Marine/ ... /Elite-51/

Now compare to this link of the HDS 5;

http://www.lowrance.us/Products/Marine/ ... rtplotter/

Unless you wanted to compare single feature sonar only units. Then go to this link to check out the Elite 5x;

http://www.lowrance.us/Products/Marine/ ... /Elite-5X/

Then compare to the HDS 5x;

http://www.lowrance.us/Products/Marine/ ... hosounder/

These comparisons are all found at www.lowrance.com and click on Products.
Ken Sauret
Lowrance Pro Staff
Lowrance http://www.lowrance.com/
Yamamoto https://store.baits.com/home
Dobyns Rods http://www.dobynsrods.com/
Yamaha http://www.yamaha-motor.com/
Personal Web Site http://kensbassfishing.weebly.com/
fishndp
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Location: SoCal

Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by fishndp »

Will the DSI unit link to th HDS 5 via the Ethernet cable or any other way or can you only link HDS units.
I have a console HDS 5 now and want to upgrade my bow unit soon.
Ken Sauret
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Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by Ken Sauret »

Dsi does not have ethernet or n2k. The combo version will only have nmea0183 output, no input.

There is no way to share sonar between an HDS and Elite. The elite units are considered stand alone units where as the HDS are able to network.
Ken Sauret
Lowrance Pro Staff
Lowrance http://www.lowrance.com/
Yamamoto https://store.baits.com/home
Dobyns Rods http://www.dobynsrods.com/
Yamaha http://www.yamaha-motor.com/
Personal Web Site http://kensbassfishing.weebly.com/
fishndp
Posts: 68
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:56 pm
Location: SoCal

Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by fishndp »

Thanks Ken
Kinda what I thought
Now I just need to figure out if the sharing is more important or the dsi
I don't think my funds at this time will allow me to get the LSS unit and another HDS 5x. If you had a HDS 5 on your console in your expert opinion which unit would you recommend for a trolling motor mount on the bow?
Thanks in advance fir your reply!
Bruce
Ken Sauret
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Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by Ken Sauret »

I am assuming that you have some sonar unit up front to start with and just want to upgrade it.

I would get the LSS-1 for the HDS 5 at the console. I use the Structure Scan more at the console while idling around "searching" for structure. I split my screen to have structure scan and traditional sonar while I'm searching. Then when you get up front, what you found on the structure scan and saw on the traditional sonar, will show up on your front graph the same way and you will know how that piece of structure looks on traditional sonar.

Then, save your money until you can afford another HDS unit up front.
Ken Sauret
Lowrance Pro Staff
Lowrance http://www.lowrance.com/
Yamamoto https://store.baits.com/home
Dobyns Rods http://www.dobynsrods.com/
Yamaha http://www.yamaha-motor.com/
Personal Web Site http://kensbassfishing.weebly.com/
fishndp
Posts: 68
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:56 pm
Location: SoCal

Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by fishndp »

Thanks Ken

I am using an old eagle magna view plus now on the bow since I upgraded to the HDS
Not a great unit, but I think your idea is probably the best way to go.
I don't fish tourneys, just fish for the fun of it. I am already in way better shape with the HDS than I was!
Ken Sauret
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Re: Lowrance elite 5x dsi

Post by Ken Sauret »

You don't need to fish tournaments to want to catch the most and biggest fish you can and have the most enjoyable day possible every time you go out in your boat. A weekend fun fisherman has just as much need as the seasoned professional has, to get every advantage you can get when it comes to trying to catch these unpredictable, pesky bass that don't read the same books we do.

You'll find that these HDS units give us an advantage that we just didn't have a few years ago. Let me know if I can help as you continue to learn your HDS 5.
Ken Sauret
Lowrance Pro Staff
Lowrance http://www.lowrance.com/
Yamamoto https://store.baits.com/home
Dobyns Rods http://www.dobynsrods.com/
Yamaha http://www.yamaha-motor.com/
Personal Web Site http://kensbassfishing.weebly.com/
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