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

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Originally Posted by OzarkAngler

I'll try again today. I think my powershuts off if iI push the button for one second or more. A standby option comes up sometimes.

I don't remember if the unit is upgraded. How can I upgrade it? I'm pretty sure that's buried in between pages 14 and 30 of this thread! Lol!

I think its in advanced mode. I need to go read up what the difference is between advanced and manual and such. Thank you for the help!

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Yeah, just bump the Power button, then the + button ... not really holding them in !!

If your unit is relatively new, it's probably already upgraded. Go here : Elite 3.6 - LOWRANCE | Marine Electronics and follow instructions under "How to see which version ..... " & if your unit does not already say version 3.6.0 ... download it to that 2G card & then load it into the unit.

Mine was not upgraded to 3.6.0 when I bought it from a C.c member ... couldn't really tell any difference after the upgrade, until I found out I could split the screen horizontal (top/bottom) as well as vertical (side/side). That function alone was worth the $ & trouble to upgrade, as it gives me a wider screen view of the sonar scan when in the sonar/sonar or sonar/chart split screen view.

You still might want to finish looking through pgs 14-48 ... but skip over most of the posts that do not have a link or picture in them. Most of the more important/informative posts will have a link or picture.

... cp :kewl

Bought my unit last December, so I figure it has the upgrade. How do you get the top/bottom split screen views? Thanks.

I plan to lower my contrast next time out per your suggestion ozarkangler, looks good, thanks!

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Originally Posted by Tracker123

Bought my unit last December, so I figure it has the upgrade. How do you get the top/bottom split screen views? Thanks.

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(copied from an earlier post)


Here's the sequence to follow :

Press Menu button ...
down arrow to Settings
right arrow
up arrow to System
press Enter key
down arrow to Chart/Sonar Split
press Enter key
up arrow to Over
Press Enter button
Then press Menu button twice & you're back to the display screen, which should be showing the Chart over the Sonar screen split.

The screen section that is currently interactive, will have an orange border. To switch which screen section your keys will change the configuration of ... Press the "Pages" button twice. The orange border will move to the other screen section, and your buttons will now be connected to that section ... for any changes needed.

... cp :kewl

Installed mine today. 1-2 feet short on the cable. %$&). Found an extension at Wal-Mart .com for $25 for a 15 ft. Can't wait to try it out. So far kinda disappointed with the maps though. Largest lake in Kansas and no contour lines???

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Originally Posted by JD1

Installed mine today. 1-2 feet short on the cable. %$&). Found an extension at Wal-Mart .com for $25 for a 15 ft. Can't wait to try it out. So far kinda disappointed with the maps though. Largest lake in Kansas and no contour lines???

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yeah, i'm not impressed with Lowrance maps either, although at least the lakes i fish do have contour lines. but, the depths are not at all accurate and the contour lines/shorelines really don't help that much when the depth is off. i still find myself trolling back and forth comparing the map to the depth/sonar. one great thing is that it gets me to where i want to go safely and back to the ramp by followoing the chart view, especially in total darkness after night-fishing. that's pricesless compared to shining a spot-light all way out and back trying to find my way. and the river channels are pretty accurate.

i also looked at the sample of hotmaps and don't see where the money is justified. and if the depths are off on those too, what good are they?

it is a nice unit though, once you get used to it and figure out what the manual doesn't tell you. happy fishing JD1

I finally got a lawn mower battery and adequate connectors with a 3 amp fuse for my Elite 5 dsi today. This was the first time I’ve had the new unit on since I bought it last November. With limited time, I’ve opted to go fishing without the FF instead of spending the day rigging everything up, but I’ve put it off long enough now…
I’ve been unable to locate a used map card to purchase so I’ll probably try to pick one up a new one in a week or so. I’m looking forward to getting in some water and see what it will do.
Any helpful suggestions on using the unit for the first time?

What I did was drop a jig right below the transducer. Then fooled with the surface clarity, contrast, and color pallets (blue seemed best for me). As the unit scrolls, you will see a line scrolling where the jig is at. Reel up some, and the line will shift with the depth. That's what I did.

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Originally Posted by Tracker123

What I did was drop a jig right below the transducer. Then fooled with the surface clarity, contrast, and color pallets (blue seemed best for me). As the unit scrolls, you will see a line scrolling where the jig is at. Reel up some, and the line will shift with the depth. That's what I did.

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Great idea! I'll do that first and maybe it will also assist to get a grasp on just where the cone angle drops off.

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Originally Posted by FlyBye

I’ve been unable to locate a used map card to purchase so I’ll probably try to pick one up a new one in a week or so. I’m looking forward to getting in some water and see what it will do.
Any helpful suggestions on using the unit for the first time?

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i wouldn't waste my money on a map. i bought Navionics android version and it is inaccurate and shows less than the stock Elite DSI map. Their PC version on their website shows the same lack of detail and inaccurate info concerning depth and contour for the reservoirs I fish in east TN. i would love to see a screenshot from someone that has a Premium Hot Map to compare it to. without seeing one first, i think $145 is way too high for something that won't find fish for you anyway.

as far as tips for using your Elite DSI? i have a Elite 5x DSI and the manual is pitiful, but does contain the basics. best bet is to read info here and on other forums and go play with it sitting still to get used to how the settings are accessed and changed. be sure you are in the right screen (view or page) for the settings you want to access. settings apply to the page (view), so if you have split screen showing you will not have access to some settings. cruise around slow, change settings, see what happens and if you like the setting just hope you can find it again when you want it! it takes experience to remember everything you discover accidentally.

it's a nice unit and the chart is great for navigating, especially at night. i'm still trying to figure certain things out on mine after a dozen times on the water with it.

good luck and have fun. hope you bend some rods!