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

Originally Posted by farmer1940

Is it better to go on the trolling motor are the transom

That's going to depend on how you intend to use it.

Couple of things to consider :

Transom/console mount - GPS marks from where the head unit is located, while DI shows what's below the transducer (which would be on the transom & several feet away from the head unit, bow seat, and your poles). Head unit would have to be turned around to be viewed from bow seat, requiring you to constantly be turning your attention away from your poles or direction of travel. Plus, you'd already have come in contact with, or passed by the cover, before the transducer picked it up.

Trolling motor/bow mount - GPS/DI are closer together, but unit can't be used as a DF when on plane. Head unit is likely too small & far away to see much detail on the screen ... even though the GPS & chartplotter function can be used when transducer/trolling motor are out of the water.

In either case, it would be wise to have another unit on board, so you could offset the negative factors of either mounting scenario.

I opted to put mine on the TM, simple because I fish from up there ... usually out the front 1/3 of the boat, I have rod holders, I don't longline troll with the big motor, don't like having to be twisting around to see the unit (when mounted on top/side of console), and can't see well enough to have the unit more than a short distance away. I also didn't want to have to try & keep my attention on the screen (if unit was mounted at the console) while cruising down the lake at 40mph or more. And, my 16ft boat with 90hp motor, runs at idle speed of around 2mph or more, so trolling with the big motor is not a good option (for me).

I can see the case for mounting the transducer in either place, depending on how you fish & how you use the capabilities of the unit ... but, it's really personal preference & not a "best way" scenario, IMHO.

... cp

.I have two depth finders on my boat at this time and they work pretty good. What I wanted was that down imaging and the GPS, my handheld GPS doesn't get very close and it is getting a little old, I was worried about the transducer getting scarred up on the transom, I didn't know how sensitive it would be my depth finders don't show things like I wanted to, I don't guess I've got them programmed right, I may be just wasting my money but I like the looks of that elite five and the elite seven so I'm just undecided

FWIW, I was on Cabelas site yesterday and they have refurbed Elite 5 DSI's in the Bargain Cave for 199.00. That's a good buy!

That is a good Buy. I just purchased mine for $280 and though I did good. So much for thinkin... I have not problem with Refurbished thing either. They go through extensive testing prior to being put back on the market.

Originally Posted by Runnin

FWIW, I was on Cabelas site yesterday and they have refurbed Elite 5 DSI's in the Bargain Cave for 199.00. That's a good buy!

FYi - That's the Elite 5x DSI without GPS. Much cheaper model.

Originally Posted by HaMm3r

FYi - That's the Elite 5x DSI without GPS. Much cheaper model.

Thanks I feel much better now ...

I wonder why this unit has been discontinued by Lowrance? Lowrance Elite-5 DSI DownScan Imaging Fishfinder / Chartplotter - LOWRANCE | Marine Electronics I haven't had any problem with mine.

Just like all electronics they have to come up with new bells and whistles or they lose market share as the competition moves forward. That would be my guess. Thats one of the reasons I never buy new technology. I like to give it time to prove itself and for the price to drop. I just got mine hooked up and when I took it out on the water it was working I liked it. Then it started intermittent operation. I am getting a voltage drop somewhere and need to sort that out.