Overkill On A Fish Finder - Need Low End Suggestions - Anyone Know The Mark 4 Dsi?

[wordty]

I bought a Mark-4 DSI and am afraid it is overkill for what I need.  I only have a 16 foot jon boat and mainly want to find brush and fish...don't need all the bells and whistles...it sounds like actually seeing fish on the unit I have is not too easy.

Should I just go to Walmart and get a cheapy for around $80?  Sounds like on mine the transducer goes in the hull as opposed to under it?

[slonezp]

I'm not familiar with the Lowrance line. The transducer is mounted on the transom or trolling motor. To get a high speed reading with that or any other unit a shoot thru is your best bet. You are going to be searching for structure and fish at slower speeds. You should be just fine with what you bought.

[Darren.]

I bought a Mark-4 DSI and am afraid it is overkill for what I need.  I only have a 16 foot jon boat and mainly want to find brush and fish...don't need all the bells and whistles...it sounds like actually seeing fish on the unit I have is not too easy.

Should I just go to Walmart and get a cheapy for around $80?  Sounds like on mine the transducer goes in the hull as opposed to under it?

 

Man. I'd love a DSI unit, and I fish from a kayak!! If you really feel it is overkill, you can, by all means go for a "cheapy" at Walmart, BPS, DSG, etc.

 

Using my "cheapy" Garmin unit, I would absolutely love a DSI. But that's me.

[tnriverluver]

I have two Mark 4 DSI GPS, two Elite 4 DSI GPS, and 2 Elite 5 DSI GPS and I can tell you the transducer is not to be used on an aluminum boat as a shoot thru.  States very clearly in the manual (one of the few things the manual helps with BTW) that it will not work.  You can definitely see fish with these units and even watch the fish take your bait.  Study up a little more as these are fantastic units for the price.  Watch some youtube videos about them and you will learn quickly.

[slonezp]

I have two Mark 4 DSI GPS, two Elite 4 DSI GPS, and 2 Elite 5 DSI GPS and I can tell you the transducer is not to be used on an aluminum boat as a shoot thru.  States very clearly in the manual (one of the few things the manual helps with BTW) that it will not work.  You can definitely see fish with these units and even watch the fish take your bait.  Study up a little more as these are fantastic units for the price.  Watch some youtube videos about them and you will learn quickly.

How do you find time to fish looking at 6 different screens?

[Jay Ell Gee]

I can confirm that DSI or side imaging can NOT be used through ANY hull. Not aluminum, not fiberglass. Just not possible.

 

The DSI setup is definitely nice, but keep in mind that the beam is incredibly thin ,as opposed to a sonar cone.

 

In deeper water you can see an update while sitting still, yes. Sonar, in my opinion, does it better.

 

DSI is best used while moving at a constant low speed (nothing over 5pmh will be usable). I use it as a search tool, using it to waypoint structure to fish later. If I am fishing directly above fish, I prefer the sonar.

 

It also has some limitations in very shallow water... but so does most sonar.

[tnriverluver]

How do you find time to fish looking at 6 different screens?

I am real good at multi-tasking lol, but seriously one at the helm and bow of three different boats!

[3dees]

I had the Elite 5x DSI for less than one season. yes you must be moving to get the best picture so they are'nt very good for drop shotting. the bad thing with these Lowrance units are they are DSI only. I missed the 2D too much. this year I have an Elite 7 HDI with both. you can get a grey scale 5" unit at really great prices.

[Wayne P.]

I can confirm that DSI or side imaging can NOT be used through ANY hull. Not aluminum, not fiberglass. Just not possible.

 

The DSI setup is definitely nice, but keep in mind that the beam is incredibly thin ,as opposed to a sonar cone.

 

In deeper water you can see an update while sitting still, yes. Sonar, in my opinion, does it better.

 

DSI is best used while moving at a constant low speed (nothing over 5pmh will be usable). I use it as a search tool, using it to waypoint structure to fish later. If I am fishing directly above fish, I prefer the sonar.

 

It also has some limitations in very shallow water... but so does most sonar.

 

A Humminbird DI unit CAN be used as a shoot-thru installation in suitable hulls (thin fiberglass).

One of their DI transducers is shipped with epoxy for that installation.

Additionally a Humminbird DI unit has regular 2D sonar and Down Imaging and was/is available in about 18 models.

 

The less expensive regular sonar units work fine too for depth, seeing bottom shape, and showing what is in the water column IF you take the time to learn how to use it.