Lowrance Elite-5X HDI Fishfinder

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    Posted: 11 Dec 2014 at 7:38pm
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Can anyone give any feedback on the Lowrance Elite 5x unit
Those that say it can't be done are being overtaken by those doing it.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote ShaunQ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2014 at 7:52pm
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Work longer hours and get a HDS.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote yknot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2014 at 8:10pm
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Already got one of those looking for a second unit.
Those that say it can't be done are being overtaken by those doing it.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote krow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2014 at 8:33pm
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Another HDS like meBig smile. Stupid thing is though after you get each one setup exactly how you want them. You install them the other way around and the settings are all up the shyte so you have to stop and swap them back. Well that was us Saturday anyway. Reminds me to label them.

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote yknot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2014 at 9:03pm
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Originally posted by krow krow wrote:

Another HDS like meBig smile. Stupid thing is though after you get each one setup exactly how you want them. You install them the other way around and the settings are all up the shyte so you have to stop and swap them back. Well that was us Saturday anyway. Reminds me to label them.

Time and tide has more bling than the ladies of the night, you will need a bigger dash soon.
Those that say it can't be done are being overtaken by those doing it.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote ShaunQ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2014 at 10:11pm
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If you already have an HDS then get another one, you can share the sonar screen and other NMEA info along with being familiar with operation of the units. To me the Elite series are very awkward to operate and has extremely slow map redraw, like painful slow and dangerous when running at night having a blank white screen blink for a few seconds between zooming.

Go for a fish with a mate that has a multi HDS setup, then go for a fish with a mate that has an Elite, pretty sure you'll be asking for the Elite mate to drop you off back on land so you can go back to work :)
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Sufishent Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2014 at 11:20pm
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Put one into the 15' Marco a few weeks weeks ago - had it on the water 4 times since then. Was an "upgrade" to an older Eagle unit and , in that respect, is a definite improvement. Clarity at speed is better and detail is good at slow speeds - which is what I had expected from the newer dual frequency transducer and better electronic processing.

Screen is sharp and clear.

Operation is quite simple.

The 5X is a ffinder only - so map re-draw speed for charts is not applicable to this unit. 

Not sure about the Downscan thing - has provided no perceivable benefit. Not sure if that's due to me or an over-rated bling element.

Has had an issue losing depth on auto depth mode (a common problem I believe) - easily resolved by reverting to manual depth range.

Like many I'd like an HDS but at less than half the price budget dictated.

You can never have enough fishing tackle
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote letsgetem Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Dec 2014 at 4:19pm
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Ive got a Elite 7 HDI. The sonar is good I think - certainly better than the much cheaper Garmin 400 I had. It shows fish sign ok, in the usual arch shape. At 20 knots, theres some interference from the prop wash, but still shows the bottom and fish sign, if any!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote peeda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Dec 2014 at 11:29pm
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Got the Elite 4 HDI FF/GPDS and had my first play with it on the manukau today. Seemed to work but still getting used to it. Wasn't auto focusing on the depth so resorted to manual adjusting the range.. Still need to fine tune it though - May be a bit harder on a thundercat.
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