Lowrance Mark 5X DSI

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12-11-2011, 06:00 PM
Tracker123

Lowrance Mark 5X DSI

Academy has the units on sale now for $200. I am ready to upgrade from what I have now (which isn't much for $70). A good deal I figure. I am not as intelligent about such things as you fellas here, so just a couple of questions:

1. I normally fish in water less than 10 feet (sometimes up to 30 feet). Is the unit okay for this? And, for what I see on the screen, what am I looking at (directly below the boat, etc.)?

2. The advertised screen shots look nice for structure, which is what I am looking for. How does fish show up? Fish ID or arches? Can you see the fish?

I really appreciate your help. Thanks.
12-11-2011, 07:26 PM
jimp

the DSI model I saw on their website was $499. The lowrance dsi does NOT have 2d sonar, only DSI, and the picture is not anything like a 2d sonar pic. Fish show up as little white specks/dots in DSI, not arches or fish symbols. The non DSI Mark 5 is $200 or less, and will show fish symbols or arches depending on the settings.

The Down scan image shows structure in much more detail than a 2d sonar picture will but any fish usually show up as little white specks or dots from the pictures I've seen and some reading done. Look thru the electronics forums for down scan threads, and you can probably see some down scan pics posted, or google down scan pictures.
12-11-2011, 09:01 PM
Jason Gilstrap LOWRANCE

Here's couple pics of fish on mine Elite 5 DSI.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...wnload-2-1.jpg

Here one of the bass from the above screen shot.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...download-3.jpg

my Jig going down on the DSI unit

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...download-5.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...wnload-4-1.jpg

Ladder that I found on my DSI

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...download-4.jpg
12-11-2011, 09:35 PM
Shellback

Nice screen shots, but there's about a $250 price difference between what he's looking at and yours. Is the difference just color instead of B/W, or are there other differences?
12-11-2011, 09:42 PM
Jason Gilstrap LOWRANCE

Main difference is the color.

Mark 5 DSI--Display Type 16-level gray scale Film SuperTwist LCD
Backlighting Bright white LED screen/keypad

Elite 5 DSI---Display Type 256-color SolarMAX™ TFT
Backlighting Fluorescent cold cathode
12-11-2011, 11:28 PM
gobbler

question, on the screen shot with all those bass the screen says it is 12.5' deep but the little screen at the bottom left corner says the bottom is 11' while if i was looking at the depth bar i would go with 11.75', so which is it and why the difference?
12-12-2011, 08:30 AM
Jason Gilstrap LOWRANCE

Probably bouncing between on that hard cement rock and the bottom..
12-12-2011, 09:50 AM
rnvinc

Jason.. What are 455kHz and 800kHz beam angles for this unit...??

I cannot find this info on the Lowrance website....

Rickie
12-12-2011, 01:57 PM
Tracker123

Jason - Nice resolution being able to see your line and jig going down. I assume that I would be able to see the same thing on the black and white unit? Also, nice fish arches - were you moving?
12-12-2011, 02:02 PM
Jason Gilstrap LOWRANCE

I was moving very slow and the fish where moving in and out of the beam angle to create the fish arch. I don't see why not, if you get in same position where fish is schooling and moving in and out of the beam angle.
12-13-2011, 09:25 AM
CrappiePappy

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnvinc

Jason.. What are 455kHz and 800kHz beam angles for this unit...??

I cannot find this info on the Lowrance website....

Rickie

Rick ... these are the angles for them :

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/z...newDIbeams.png

I lifted this from one of Kosmo's replies to me, on a similar question. I assume that any unit using 455 & 800kHz would have these cone angles.

... cp
12-13-2011, 09:32 AM
rnvinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by crappiepappy

Rick ... these are the angles for them :

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/z...newDIbeams.png

I lifted this from one of Kosmo's replies to me, on a similar question. I assume that any unit using 455 & 800kHz would have these cone angles.

... cp

Thanks Pappy...

I knew Kosmo had posted that but I had assumed that Kosmo found that depiction in HB info somewhere...

I searched every nook and crany of the Lowrance website to verify the Lowrance DI beam angles but I was not able to verify the info...

It's important to me to know that I have correct info ...(if I need to advise someone down the road on similar questions)...I don't like giving incorrect info....

Some things, the L website explains very well... Some things... Not so much...

So I was hoping to get Jason to confirm the L beam angle info...( for my own satisfaction of confirmed L info)
12-13-2011, 10:10 AM
Jason Gilstrap LOWRANCE

I believe its a 3 degree angle.
12-13-2011, 10:39 AM
rnvinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Gilstrap LOWRANCE

I believe its a 3 degree angle.

Jason... The HB info says the 455kHz is 75 degrees and the 800kHz is 45 degrees...

I would think that the Lowrance is similar... But yet I can find no verification of Lowrance's DI beam angle...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...c/45c336a5.jpg
12-13-2011, 10:51 AM
kosmo

ya 3 degrees , probably not correct . oopsnonono
12-13-2011, 10:54 AM
rnvinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosmo

ya 3 degrees , probably not correct . oopsnonono

Jason may be referring to "Front-to-back" angle...I'm not sure...

Rickie
12-13-2011, 11:03 AM
kosmo

ive also tryed to find there cone angle.i dont think that its no on there web site,jason will probably have to consult with lowrance engineers to get that info for everybody.
12-13-2011, 11:16 AM
gabowman

I finally went to a color unit after years of using Eagle 320's and 480's. The color screen is much much easier to see in the sunlight/daytime. If you ever do go to a color unit you'll never move back to a black and white (monochrome) unit.
12-13-2011, 11:41 AM
Jason Gilstrap LOWRANCE

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnvinc

Jason may be referring to "Front-to-back" angle...I'm not sure...

Rickie

What I mean is, its like a 3 degree angle slice in the water column. (like cutting a knife in the water column.)
12-13-2011, 11:57 AM
kosmo

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabowman

I finally went to a color unit after years of using Eagle 320's and 480's. The color screen is much much easier to see in the sunlight/daytime. If you ever do go to a color unit you'll never move back to a black and white (monochrome) unit.

yes and no. i still have a lowrance x125 mounted in my console. i still like it to and i wouldnt have any issues using it up front.but you got to remember, i still dont think that the di that i have shows me anything that i cant already see on the traditional 2d (same thing only prettier picture in my option) the fish still will only bite when they want to
12-13-2011, 02:14 PM
rnvinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Gilstrap LOWRANCE

What I mean is, its like a 3 degree angle slice in the water column. (like cutting a knife in the water column.)

I had guessed that is what the 3 degree meant....(front to back)..

My question deals with the beam angle out to the sides...as in comparison to the depiction I posted in post #14 above...

HB 455 is 75 degrees
HB 800 is 45 degrees

Are these the same beam angles that Lowrance DI uses...??

I want to be able to give people correct verified information when I answer questions about sonar specs...in both brands...

Rickie