looking for some help

[troy1976]

HI all,
I just purchased a new boat and am looking to update the sonar/GPS. I really like the pictures on the Lowrance elite DSI. Is anyone running this unit? Also if you are did you put a chip in it or is the base map ok for erie? THank you all for your help.

[captain polish]

I have the lowrance with chip and I never pick up sonar like the pics could be error on my part but I've tried everything and still not super clear

[CATCHNRELEASE]

I have the lowrance with chip and I never pick up sonar like the pics could be error on my part but I've tried everything and still not super clear

I recently bought the new HDS lowrance with dual freq transducer. Despite proper installation of the transducer the clarity of the depth finder portion is just not there like the pictures in their brochures. I have talked to many technicians and veteran fisherman but nothing changes. It acts like you have very low numbers of pixels despite there being plenty of pixels for the high dollar price of the unit. I have had older lowrance units with great clarity and separation but not with the new ones. Unfortunately I bought two of them for my two boats and they both are the same way. I bought a garmin to use for the depth finder portion now because the lowrance depth finder picture is so bad. I use the lowrance for the side imaging and gps component.
Very upsetting especially when you buy two units and they are the same way

[Fish Tales]

Troy1976,

I currently have a lowrance HDS unit. I think the GPS is great but I have not been happy with the sonar. I would suggest going to two seprate units and reccomend Furuno for sonar. If you have time call Gil Travis @ 209-848-8533. Gil is an expert on sonar he can build a system for you. If you happen to have a problem with his product he will bend over backwords to help you.

Kevin

[eriepro]

Once your HDS unity is set up they preform great, all are dual freQ, just make sure to get the 83-200 transducer, other things that affect sonar clarity are interference and surface clarity settings, both should be set to at least low to medium, next set to freshwater use, turn off the amplitude scope, also make sure your unit has the latest upgrades there have been 3 in the past 6 months,currently 4.1 for gen 1s and 1.1 for gen 2s..... i can make a dock call if you need help...Ed

[troy1976]

wow thanks everyone esp Ed. Lot to think about now. Guess I have to do some shopping! Thanks again everyone and good luck on the water.

[wayne johnson]

troy you been on our boat we have older lowrance unit with chip
and love it . Wayne

[ebijack]

Just has a X-16 take a crap. Still have a X-16 and X-15 and run chips in them. Was thinking about going to the elites as they are basicly the same units, just 5 inch screens. On which chip to buy, it depends on what your wants/needs are. I have 3 different chips. For me I don't like the 1ft contours as it's too many lines on the screen and for erie you really don't need that detail.

[ReelTime]

I run HDS-7 with insight for my GPS/Chartplotter and Furuno for my sonar. I guess if I had to run only 1 unit with GPS and sonar it would be Lowrance HDS. The key to the good sonar picture is the transducer.

Go somewhere like Bass Pro, West Marine, or Cabelas where you can play with a demo unit and zoom in to Lake Erie and see how you like the base map.

[troy1976]

thanks for the information everyone.

The new boat has a graph from 1988 on it and a separate garmin GPS. I really liked the 520c that is on my first boat. I think I am going to go with the elite 5 DSI w/GPS.

Wayne- the new boat is going to be called summer huntin, according to the boss lady. Cant wait to get it in the water!

troy