Thread: DI Worthless?

Originally Posted by Jiggin One

The Elite 7 has 2 transducers. One for sonar and the other for DI. The Humminbird only has one. This is the reason for my decision. I cannot mount 2 transducers on a trolling motor.

Jiggin One. You should do a little more homework on the Elite 7. There are several transducer choices. The "HDI" transducer comes in two frequency configurations, "83/200/455/800kHz and 50/200/455/800kHz". Either one of them is a single transducer that produces both 2D and DSI. One is more for saltwater/deepwater (50/200) and the other is for the rest of us (83/200/455/800).
So......if you like the Lowrance, then there is no reason not to own one.

Mike

Originally Posted by drb

Texas Pete...What color setting do you prefer to use on the Lowrance Elite DSI's? Thanks

Hey drb. I'm really no expert, but I do know what I like. Most days (depending on lighting that day) I can see a little clearer using the blue gradient, but there are days when the yellow/green or green gradient work better for me. Best thing to do is to just play around in "settings" while you're on the water. You will find what you like best. I can say that a contrast setting of around 60-64 and a transducer frequency set to 800 works better "all the time" for me. BTW i don't own an "Elite", but have a couple of other Lowrance units and I'm sure they're very similar.

Mike

Thanks Crappie1133 and Texas Pete. I continued researching the two units and today I ordered the Lowrance Elite 7 HDI Gold Combo. Ya'll were right in that it only has one transducer. A video put out by Lowrance made that confusing. But I got it straight from the horse's mouth. I still need to order the trolling motor transducer bracket. I have only owned Humminbird's before. I like the features of this Lowrance and it offers more and seems more user friendly. I will post after I have used it a while. Thanks again.

Hi Jiggin One. Yesterday at Bass Pro, Lowrance has a protector , made of plastic to cover the HDI transducer after,mounting on the trolling motor the Lowrance product number is 000 10978-001. cost $19.95. Transducer shield has a new protector exclusively for the Elite 7 HDI transducer (their product number is TS-HDI 2), (a little costly) at $89.95. I understand you can use the bracket that is used on the transom, turn it over , bend it with pliers, and use hose clamps to mount to your TM!!!! I like using the protector from Lowrance, even tho it is only plastic, and hose clamps (hose clamps are included). A transducer is $119.00 and $89.00 is to much to prevent damage to your transducer. You might check with Lowrance about this protector. It's to new to find everywhere.Hope you like your new unit, I am strongly thinking about buying one...... Good fishing....

Mike, I just read your opening statment. I believe you may have misunderstood, my stand on DI. I still believe that given a choice of DI or SI, SI is a MUCH better choice. I doubt that DI would help me find more fish. Because SI covers much more area and by doing this it has helped me find ALOT more fishable areas. At the time I offered advice - DI units ( without SI) used to cost ALOT more than they do now (@ 2-2.5x as much), I felt that if someone was to spend that kind of money, it was better to spend a little more and get SI.
The DI I have seen/ and used really did not show as well as, the views shown here . Guessing operator error.. To be honest, I just glance at DF every once in a while once I am over struture, just to make sure I am still over it, I find myself too busy watching line,corks, etc to spend alot of time looking at DF.
This is a great post and has opened my eyes to its use and I thank you for that. Your post (s) have really helped answer some of the confusion in my mind about Lowrance SI/DI units. (and is still prevalent by many )

Edit: BTW, I was told my a long time friend would sells these things for living, "Each of the units that cost @ same, have same features. the main difference is user interface" (menu).

I do not know what I am doing wrong but I can not get any good displays like you picture. They are beauties!!!!

Originally Posted by crappie1133

Hi Jiggin One. Yesterday at Bass Pro, Lowrance has a protector , made of plastic to cover the HDI transducer after,mounting on the trolling motor the Lowrance product number is 000 10978-001. cost $19.95. Transducer shield has a new protector exclusively for the Elite 7 HDI transducer (their product number is TS-HDI 2), (a little costly) at $89.95. I understand you can use the bracket that is used on the transom, turn it over , bend it with pliers, and use hose clamps to mount to your TM!!!! I like using the protector from Lowrance, even tho it is only plastic, and hose clamps (hose clamps are included). A transducer is $119.00 and $89.00 is to much to prevent damage to your transducer. You might check with Lowrance about this protector. It's to new to find everywhere.Hope you like your new unit, I am strongly thinking about buying one...... Good fishing....

Thanks for the info. Was this the Richmond Location of BPS? I too am leaning towards the plastic mount. I think we will like this unit. I got the gold edition from Digital Oasis for $729. Most other places are getting $769. I also opted for the 3 year extended warranty.

Originally Posted by HeyCharlie

Mike, I just read your opening statment. I believe you may have misunderstood, my stand on DI.

HeyCharlie, Hope I didn't give the impression that I was posting this thread in response to anyone in particular, because that is not the case. Just sorta' got the idea that there was a lot of negativity about the value of DI as a tool. The thread was only intended to raise an awareness of what it can be capable of for educational value. Also I'm certainly not the resident "expert" in hardly anything and If I come off like that, I apologize. I know there are a bunch of beginning or novice fishermen (as well as old ones that are "technology challenged") out there that don't know much about the capability of today's hi-tech gadgerty and are thinking about making the plunge without much of a clue as to what they want or need to "do the job". I Just remembered when I was in that position, I wish that there was some source of information other than a salesman who really didn't have great product knowledge (or tried to sell you one "like his" because that would make him feel better about his purchase decision). I hope that maybe a few here have a little more information so as to make an informed decision when the time comes. I also just wanted to stimulate some others to make similar responses and maybe a little healthy debate (which some have done). I'm thinking that is what this forum is supposed to be for.

Mike