Discussion on Lowrance Elite 5 DSI/Chartplotter ....

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Originally Posted by away

Even with contour tracking, the fisher is operating within the margin of error of the plotter. Bear in mind that most of the time, the plotter is pretty accurate. It is mainly when almost at a standstill that the problem you describe is most pronounced. Here is something that you can try. When leaving to go fishing, turn the unit on. When you get to the lake, save the trail that the plotter has recorded. Do this each time you go fishing. After a few trips, display all of the saved trails. You will see that even though you are driving the same route, within a metre or so of being on the same course, the trails will not line up with each other exactly.

When zoomed in you will see that the trails may be separated by as much as the three to five metre error of the plotter. Even when contour tracking, the fisher is not going to hit the desired mark every time and that is why the plotter should be used in conjunction with the sonar in these situations. The plotter will get you close and the sonar will let you home in. Let's face it, if you could get bang on the spot every time, then they wouldn't call it fishing, they'd call it catching!

Re: handle on the trolling motor. This is most unlikely to be affecting the operation of the plotter (though you could check this by checking the GPS status when the handle is over the unit.) The pattern of GPS satellites in orbit is random, but generally spread so that there will be satellites overhead, partially overhead and on the horizon. Only three satellites are required to obtain a "fix", though the more satellites that are in view, the better the fix.

Cheers

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A post all the way from Australia. I read his profile - he doesn't know what a crappie is. But, lots of good information about plotters/finders. He's right, you guys are good. I have learned alot myself :ThumbsUp

I recently purchased the Elite 5 DSI but haven't hooked it up to the boat yet...

Can you run the Elite 5 DSI off the same battery as your trolling motor without any interference? My Minn Kota TM is variable speed and I heard that the HB FF with the DI would cause interference when running the DI. How are you fella's running your Lowrance Elite 5 DSI? Same battery as your TM or separate battery? Any helpful tips or suggestions before I go drilling holes in my boat?

Thanks,

Insure you hook it straight to the battery. I have both the e4 and E 5 Set up this way and they run fine. 1 thing I did see was vertical lines and the E 5. Heard that this was probably due to the e4 running sonar at the same time.

Going back out this week and I will post 2 pictures... 1 with the e 4 on and off to see if this is true.

Good luck bud

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Originally Posted by FlyBye

I recently purchased the Elite 5 DSI but haven't hooked it up to the boat yet...

Can you run the Elite 5 DSI off the same battery as your trolling motor without any interference? My Minn Kota TM is variable speed and I heard that the HB FF with the DI would cause interference when running the DI. How are you fella's running your Lowrance Elite 5 DSI? Same battery as your TM or separate battery? Any helpful tips or suggestions before I go drilling holes in my boat?

Thanks,

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FlyBye ... my E5DSI is hooked directly into the TM power wiring, at the bow of the boat. I haven't seen any interference from running the TM. I'm running a 42lb thrust Motor Guide TM, connected to a dedicated Deep Cycle battery. There is a separate battery for the big motor.

Now ... take that for what it's worth, as I'm not guaranteeing that you won't have interference problems --- just saying that "I" don't. So, you might want to wait for some other, more electronically/technically savvy members to post their opinions/suggestions.

... cp :kewl

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Originally Posted by slabbacks

Getting the Most out of your Lowrance DSI Unit - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

Interesting read . Have mine mounted on the TM as well.

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After watching this I looked at the photo I pulled from the e5 on the TM. At the top of screen you can see where the trolling motor was on. The next highlighted area shows were I let off. Also notice how the structure cleared up and a sharper image came through. At least this is how I took it, could be wrong.

Attachment 108299
Just my :twocents

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Originally Posted by slabbacks

After watching this I looked at the photo I pulled from the e5 on the TM. At the top of screen you can see where the trolling motor was on. The next highlighted area shows were I let off. Also notice how the structure cleared up and a sharper image came through. At least this is how I took it, could be wrong.

Attachment 108299
Just my :twocents

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I don't know if the TM is interfering with the image quality, or the center tree is just not in the same location as the other two :dono (it could be anywhere within the fan shaped sonar ping, & still show up as being directly under your transducer)

You'd probably have to experiment while watching the screen & powering the TM on & off.

... cp :kewl

See what ya mean now pappy. Ill try that. I dont know about you but 800khz just dont do it for me. Seems 455 is better no matter what depth im in. Sure its something im doing wrong.

Just started reading this thread and was interested in knowing what price have you guys been paying for this unit?

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Originally Posted by chevy55

Just started reading this thread and was interested in knowing what price have you guys been paying for this unit?

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I bought mine from another member that advertised it in the Personal Classifieds Forum. Basically a "used once or twice" unit head w/power & transducer cord + transom mount hardware, and the unit mounting bracket. Also included was another "brand new" power/transducer cord and a trolling motor mount sleeve. Total cost for the deal + insured shipping = $477

Current pricing seems to range from around $550-$650 .... but, "currently" there's a deal on a "Gold" model (includes Navionics Gold map card) for $470 (+s/h & taxes where applicable) at West Marine (online). It would come with a transom mount setup, but the trolling motor mounting sleeve setup can be purchased for around $25. A front cover for the unit head can also be had for around $25. (pricing for sleeve & cover taken from Amazon.com)

... cp :kewl

Thanks for the info on the elite 5, but what is the diffrence between the elite 5 and the gold? thanks