Lowrance Elite 5 HDI

[ndfinfan]

Ordered this discontinued Lowrance model yesterday...Gander Mt. had them for $269 with a $50 rebate on top. Plan to put it on the bow...transducer on the trolling motor...will be an upgrade for the bow unit I currently have. Just wondered if anyone has any insight on this particular Lowrance model? Thanks gents...

 

[5575]

I know the 7 is great at marking fish off the trolling motor transducer so that 5 should be as well I'd think.

 

[LBrandt]

Will work just fine up front.

 

[JCNodak]

I have an Elite 5 on the bow. Not an HDI though. I do get some interference from the dash unit that runs off the transom. Not sure how the Down imaging is going to run off of your trolling motor. it's a little small to look at when you are sitting in the front seat, especially if you are doing a split screen.

 

[ndfinfan]

Understand...thanks JC. Right now I've got an Elite 3X on the bow, so figured the 5 inch display along with the down imaging would help when I'm up front. Thought the price was too good not to put it on the bow? Someone suggested when I swap them out to tie the new power cord to the old one and pull it through...guess I'll learn as I go!

 

[JCNodak]

might be the same power cord?

 

[Captain Ahab]

Understand...thanks JC. Right now I've got an Elite 3X on the bow, so figured the 5 inch display along with the down imaging would help when I'm up front. Thought the price was too good not to put it on the bow? Someone suggested when I swap them out to tie the new power cord to the old one and pull it through...guess I'll learn as I go!

Do you plan on using a built-in universal transducer or fashion the one included?

 

[ndfinfan]

Was planning to run the new ducer that comes with the unit to the trolling motor? Captain...if you have a better suggestion please proceed...I've never swapped out fish finders before so any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Captain Ahab]

Was planning to run the new ducer that comes with the unit to the trolling motor? Captain...if you have a better suggestion please proceed...I've never swapped out fish finders before so any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

That would be the way to go if you want to use the DI.

 

[CatDaddy]

I'm also putting an Elite 5 HDI in the bow with an Elite 7 HDI on the console of my 16' Lund, 1979 model. I sure wish they would interface with each other, but plan on mounting the transducer to the trolling motor as well. Mine was a better price though - Dad upgraded and didn't want to hassle with Craigslist. "Hey, do something with this or I'm getting rid of it". Ok, I will.

Good luck - let me know how it turns out. I'm not installing until this winter.

 

[ndfinfan]

Will do Cat...planning to swap them out Sunday afternoon...looks like the weather gonna be nice Sat/Sun!

 

[Ponyroper]

I picked up an Elite 5x CHIRP from Cabela's this spring for $199. After the $50 rebate it cost me $149 + tax. I have an Elite 7 HDI on the bow with the ducer on the trolling motor so didn't feel I needed another GPS unit. I just wanted a depth/fish finder on the consul. I was amazed by the difference the CHIRP technology made compared to the HDI unit. Clarity and detail are so much better it's hard to believe. An irregular bottom bump on the 7 HDI turns into a rock with 3 fish around it on the 5x CHIRP. A large suspended blip on the 7 HDI turns into a school of 10 fish on the 5x CHIRP. Sensitivity settings were the same on both. Both use the same model transducer. Since I don't use charts and waypoints the missing GPS is no big deal. It would be nice to know the boat speed but that's not a deal breaker either. Size of the screen isn't a problem because of the clarity. Wish I would have known there was that much difference with CHIRP before I bought the HDI last year.

 

[ndfinfan]

Wow Pony...that sounds like a good unit at a great price. I didn't even look to see how much they had the 5X Chirp priced at...thinking it was not on "special"?

 

[JCNodak]

I just remembered something about the Elite Series. The elite 5 power cord and transducer cord come together and both plug into one spot. it that's the setup you have now, then it is most likely the same cord. If not, then you will need to get a power supply up there because the tag end for the power cord is about 2 ft long.

 

[Ponyroper]

Wow Pony...that sounds like a good unit at a great price. I didn't even look to see how much they had the 5X Chirp priced at...thinking it was not on "special"?

I think they were closing out their Elite 5x series because of the introduction of the Elite Ti and Hook series. Don't even see the Elite 5x listed any more.