Thread: lowrance mark5 dsi

I'm thinking about buying one of these or the regular Mark 5. I plan on purchasing the trolling motor option. Anyone using theirs with this setup? thanks

I have to say that I did not enjoy using the mark 5 DSI. I had so many problems with my unit that I called Lowrance on the phone while I was on the water. They could not tell me how to adjust my unit so I could see my jigging spoon going down on the screen...The processing speed just didn't seem to keep up with the line going down to the fish. If you use a drop shot or a jiggin spoon...or any other types of vertical baits there is latency in the processor speed and it will get on your nerves if you count on it to see where your bait is...Just a thought...maybe you can find a way for it to function a little better...

Originally Posted by flipper66

I have to say that I did not enjoy using the mark 5 DSI. I had so many problems with my unit that I called Lowrance on the phone while I was on the water. They could not tell me how to adjust my unit so I could see my jigging spoon going down on the screen...The processing speed just didn't seem to keep up with the line going down to the fish. If you use a drop shot or a jiggin spoon...or any other types of vertical baits there is latency in the processor speed and it will get on your nerves if you count on it to see where your bait is...Just a thought...maybe you can find a way for it to function a little better...

Send Jason Gilstrap a p.m. He was able to answer my questions and must say that he didn't waste any time about it. I really like mine I hope you can get it worked out where it does what you want.

Originally Posted by flipper66

I have to say that I did not enjoy using the mark 5 DSI. I had so many problems with my unit that I called Lowrance on the phone while I was on the water. They could not tell me how to adjust my unit so I could see my jigging spoon going down on the screen...The processing speed just didn't seem to keep up with the line going down to the fish. If you use a drop shot or a jiggin spoon...or any other types of vertical baits there is latency in the processor speed and it will get on your nerves if you count on it to see where your bait is...Just a thought...maybe you can find a way for it to function a little better...

I can occasionally see my jig below the boat but from what little I understand about the way this unit functions, it doesn't have a cone type transmitter pattern. It has more of an arc and it is difficult to keep the jig in that arc.

I could see my jig sometimes but by the time the unit picked it up I was off the target. The processing speed was just too slow for me...I called lowrance while on the water and they tried to help me adjust it...no improvement...when I had an x135 I could see my jigging spoon going down...when it said there were fish...I got a bite...Just a thought...My Eagle 480 fishmark was the same way...the new lowrance...I don't know. Maybe I am just not used to it...

I have not installed mine yet but i got the trolling motor mount option also.

I looked again this weekend at this unit at cabelas. They seem pretty simple and straight forward. They appear to provide what is promised.

Check with Brian at BBGMarine, he gave me a deal on an HDS-7 today that was too good to pass up. Got the tracking # less then 20 minutes after sending the money. That's service right there! Thumbs Up

I use mine in the front of the boat with the trolling motor transducer bracket which I had to order. I went out this weekend and found out that if I set the depth to about 20 feet instead of auto and used it with the 800 setting and used medium setting for clarity i had a really good picture and could see more things with this unit. Found that it works better if you are moving a little. Worked well enough for me to find structure under the water where my wife caught a 14" crappie on Sat.

After reading all on here I don't know for sure if I want one. I was ready to pop for the "elite5DSI." Would you all buy again? Would you buy the "elite or The Mark?" Help me make up my mind.

If you want GPS up front go with the Elite 5. If you don't want GPS, I would go with the Mark 5x DSI.