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

I'd taken 2 days to read this thread, and want to ask a question. Say someone (myself) had zero experience with anything outside a $100 FF, how hard would it be to get a basic grasp on operating this unit? I'm planning to upgrade some gear come Spring, and a new FF with GPS and map card is in the plan. I guess I'd have to consider myself less than "average" when it comes to operating anything electronic outside of On/Off

Anyone who was "green" to an advanced FF go from a basic model to this one?

Originally Posted by NeonMoon

I'd taken 2 days to read this thread, and want to ask a question. Say someone (myself) had zero experience with anything outside a $100 FF, how hard would it be to get a basic grasp on operating this unit? I'm planning to upgrade some gear come Spring, and a new FF with GPS and map card is in the plan. I guess I'd have to consider myself less than "average" when it comes to operating anything electronic outside of On/Off

Anyone who was "green" to an advanced FF go from a basic model to this one?

Yeah, NeonMoon ..... ME !!!

Fanciest DF I've ever had, prior to this one, was a Eagle Z5000. That's why I started this thread, so I could shorten the learning curve & get some tips from those that were more "in the know" than I was. It's a whole different ballgame from a monochrome 2d depthfinder, and that's not just considering the GPS & chartplotter/map capabilities. The shape of the transducer ping, and what it shows on the screen are far different than what a 2d unit can show.
You have to also consider that this is a "down scan" type of unit ... and not your traditional "2d cone" imaging type of unit.

As has been mentioned many times before, the "manual" that comes with the unit is basically useless for learning how to operate the unit. It's pretty much directed at how to "install" the unit. That's why I printed out the "operations manual" ... so that I can learn more about the other capabilities of the unit, besides depth/speed/temp/GPS & map location. It's working fine, the way it's set now ... and if I never found out different, I'd still like it.

I pretty much learn something new about it, every time I use it ... along with all the great help I get from this thread. It's a work in progress. I'm still absorbing all the info coming in, and all the questions being thrown out there are only adding to it ... since, if I don't know the answer, I go into "research mode" or wait for someone "in the know" to chime in.

... cp

Thanks CP, I knew you were unfamiliar with it, but didn't read much about if you (or anyone else) were having difficulty (outside of the Manual's lack of info) understanding things. I mean sure, I see all the tips/info given here, buy say on a 1-10 scale...how hard is it to operate?

Originally Posted by NeonMoon

Thanks CP, I knew you were unfamiliar with it, but didn't read much about if you (or anyone else) were having difficulty (outside of the Manual's lack of info) understanding things. I mean sure, I see all the tips/info given here, buy say on a 1-10 scale...how hard is it to operate?

I haven't found it to be "hard" to operate .... so, if 1 is easy & 10 is mega difficult .... I'd give it a 3-4 rating. It's not "turn it on & use" easy ... you do have to play around with the settings to get it to your liking. But, a lot of those can be set & left that way.

I'm sure mine isn't set at maximum capability ... but it functions very well for how I use it now, which is to find waypoints I've put in & then spider rig or drift over them ... or mark them with a buoy & back off & cast to the spot.

I'm sure I'll get around to marking waypoints on the fly ... two clicks of the Enter button is just too easy to pass up using !!
I'll get around to using more of the available functions, too, but for right now ... the way I have it set, and what I know how to use is working well for me. The first time I took it out & used it, I knew little of nothing about it ... but, I was still able to use it as a depthfinder. Once I saw the color screen, and the images of baitballs & submerged cover, I knew I was going to "like" it. Since I've played around with it, received so much good info from this thread, and read up on some of the other useful functions ... I'm thinking I'm going to "really LIKE" it. It may take me a season or two of using it a lot more often than I have, so far, but I'm pretty sure I'll be "loving" it once I figure it all out & learn its capabilities & limits ... and learn when to apply those capabilities, for maximum effect.

I don't think I'll ever "need" to use ALL the function capabilities it has ... but, I think I'll get my money's worth out of it, even if I don't make any more setting changes or figure out how to make it do any more than it's already doing.

... cp

I need to know something, before I proceed any further :

I have purchased a micro SD card/reader setup, and (I think) I have downloaded the 3.6 update to that card. What I need to know is ... is applying this update, to my unit, going to erase any waypoints that I've collected/entered into the unit ?? I wouldn't think that it would, but I'd just like to hear from anyone that has done the update, as to whether or not there was any negative effects ... or anything I need to watch for, or know about, prior to putting the card into the unit & performing the update.

The update would only add a couple of things that I might find useful. And seeing as how I'm pretty satisfied with the unit, as it currently is ... I just want to weigh the usefulness of those updates against any possibility of change or loss of the info that's already in or added to the unit.

Sounds a little paranoid, I know ... but, I work with computers (at my job), and I've seen "updates/upgrades" cause more problems than they fix ... so I'm just trying to be proactive, and find out what to expect BEFORE I do any updating.

... cp

Update on best pricing on this unit: Just checked Gander Mountain (Shop hunting, fishing, camping, and outdoor gear and equipment. Free Standard Shipping from Gander Mountain. Some restrictions apply.) where I bought mine for $399.99 on "black friday" with no shipping charge. Today the unit is $449.99 with free shipping but offers a $50 rebate, bring it back to $400. In addition, it says on the home page that TODAY ONLY 12/12/12 they are offering a 12% rebate . If you are looking for one, this might be the day!

Oh, just in case anyone wonders why I haven't contributed any opinions on the unit, mine is still sealed in the shipping box as my boat has been in the shop for the last 3 weeks!

I'm hoping I will have LOTS of good things to say about it soon!

A question for you CP. There is a certain scroll speed on the unit, no matter how fast one is traveling. If I travel at that speed (whatever it is? - I wonder), is that the ideal way to go about finding specific structure when looking for a specific spot? For some reason, I am thinking that if I am traveling faster that the scroll speed, then I'm missing something - it shows up way after I passed it. I don't know, maybe I am thinking too hard about this. I am new at this, anyone's thoughts? I appreciate your comments. Thanks.