The Ever Popular Fish Finder Question

[DelcoSol]

Hey guys. I am looking to upgrade the electronics on my boat. I have been doing a lot of research here and on other sites but am coming up with mixed information. For starters let me say that all that I have right now is the Lowrance X4 that came on my Tracker. It's $84 and doesn't really do much. I am looking for something with GPS and chartplotting abilities along with DSI. I am looking at the two Lowrance units Elite 5 DSI and Elite 7 HDI. The main issue I am finding on the forum here is that a lot of people want traditional sonar. What is the advantage of sonar vs DSI? I am mainly looking to find structure in greater detail. I also like that the Lowrance has the playback feature to mark waypoints after crossing structure. I do not believe Hummingbird does this. I know sonar will show the fish better but isn't it better to use these units to find where the fish should be rather than focus on the actual fish? The Elite 7 HDI has sonar as well as DSI but is almost double in price. The other problem is that I want to mount it at my console and am not sure if the unit will be too big to fit there. The lake I mainly fish is at most 30' deep if that makes any difference. I am really a novice at working these things and sonar is a bit confusing to me. When I look at DSI it is obvious what I am seeing. Thanks for any help guys.

 

Frank

[Sam]

Frank, get the most expensive WAAS unit you can be it Lowrance, Ray Marine or Hummingbird.

 

Check the features and decide which one is the easiest to use while meeting your needs on the water.

 

The WAAS is a must. You need to communicate with the seven satellites in addition to using you sonar.

 

Read, read and read what guys and gals have to say about the units you are interested in purchasing. Fishing people will give you their input as opposed to the companies and pros trying to get you to buy their products.

 

Good luck and let us know which units you decide to consider and why and we can add to our input.

[DelcoSol]

What is WAAS?

[Sam]

Frank, you can get a swivel mount installed to the right of the Tracker's windshield.

 

I did this to my Tracker and it works fine for my Lowrance unit.

 

You may or may not be able to turn the unit around when you are in the front or the boat unless your swivel mount has the room to move the larger unit away from the windshield and towards the front of the boat.

 

DSI shows you an actual picture of what is under the boat while sonar just gives you a side view in colors which you may or may not be able to figure out. Get the DSI or Side Scan unit as it is the state of the art technology. I plan to upgrade next year.

[Sam]

Check out this web page on WAAS:  http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/waas.html

 

You will always know where you are and your speed.

 

Just another option to consider.

[Sam]

And Frank, living on the Main Line means that money is no object!!!!

 

Unless you live in Upper Darby!

 

Go Flyers!

[DelcoSol]

I did notice that the Elite 7HDI does have a sonar/DSI overlay that combines both technologies on one screen. I also did find it for $610 shipped   Are fish finders like TVs, bigger is better? Now I just need to hide it from the wife. Just because I work on the main line doesn't mean I have their money lol. Are youy from the area?

[Sam]

Lived up that way when the Flyers won their two Stanley Cups with the Broadway Bullies.

 

We were in Whitemarsh Township outside of Conshohocken.

 

Worked in Wayne for two years before moving to Virginia.

 

Can even pronounce Bryn Mawr correctly.

 

And yes, bigger is better as you are watching a TV screen and the DSI produces a TV quality picture of the bottom.

[DelcoSol]

Broadway bullies?!?! I just had some terrible New York Rangers images.. It's Broad Street lol. Anyway I work in Ardmore which is near Bryn Mawr and Wayne. Thanks for the help. I may end up just saying what the hell and go with the HDI7 and put it on a Ram mount. Its funny to have this entry level boat with all of my nice gear and electronics on it. Like a bum in a tuxedo. 

[Sam]

Yep, us Tracker guys have the money to upgrade our boats.

 

I meant the Broad Street Bullies! Am I old or what???

 

Don't forget to upgrade your trolling motor to a 24-volt system. There is room for one more battery.

 

And then go with the three-bank charger installed under your seats.

[Glenn]

Have you checked out the Raymarine Dragonfly?  It should fit in your console,  has crystal clear DSI, and costs less that other units.  Not only that, but it's simple to use.  Check out the other threads on this little gem on this site.  It's worth looking into before you plunk your dollars down.

[DelcoSol]

Yep, us Tracker guys have the money to upgrade our boats.

 

I meant the Broad Street Bullies! Am I old or what???

 

Don't forget to upgrade your trolling motor to a 24-volt system. There is room for one more battery.

 

And then go with the three-bank charger installed under your seats.

I only have a 165 so my battery room is REALLY tight. That is on the mod list as well though. 45# just doesn't cut it.

 

Thanks for the advise Glenn. I will look into it now.

[Mace]

DelcoSol:  I just got a Elite 7 HDI a few weeks ago and had it installed on my 09 Tracker Pro Team 170 TX, had to use a Ram mount because the size of the 7 HDI  would not go where the original Lowrance unit did.  It sets off to the side more but I really like it and I can turn it around so I can see it from the front of the boat when I am fishing.  Just got out on the water this morning for a while and tested the 7 HDI out.  Man i love the 7 inch screen and I mostly ran the split screen with the sonar and the HDI, it is great.  The bigger screen is just great.  Which ever fish finder you get the Ram mount is the way to go.

[slonezp]

Hey guys. I am looking to upgrade the electronics on my boat. I have been doing a lot of research here and on other sites but am coming up with mixed information. For starters let me say that all that I have right now is the Lowrance X4 that came on my Tracker. It's $84 and doesn't really do much. I am looking for something with GPS and chartplotting abilities along with DSI. I am looking at the two Lowrance units Elite 5 DSI and Elite 7 HDI. The main issue I am finding on the forum here is that a lot of people want traditional sonar. What is the advantage of sonar vs DSI? I am mainly looking to find structure in greater detail. I also like that the Lowrance has the playback feature to mark waypoints after crossing structure. I do not believe Hummingbird does this. I know sonar will show the fish better but isn't it better to use these units to find where the fish should be rather than focus on the actual fish? The Elite 7 HDI has sonar as well as DSI but is almost double in price. The other problem is that I want to mount it at my console and am not sure if the unit will be too big to fit there. The lake I mainly fish is at most 30' deep if that makes any difference. I am really a novice at working these things and sonar is a bit confusing to me. When I look at DSI it is obvious what I am seeing. Thanks for any help guys.

 

Frank

Frank, First let me say I know little about Lowrance and nothing about Raymarine. I was sold on HB because I found it more user friendly. As far as the imaging is concerned, I'm sold on the technology. My home water is void of any structure and imaging is worthless.  I was fishing the Wisconsin River this past weekend. Having the ability to see returns on the 2d and see the detail on the DI/SI first hand, was amazing. If anything, it gave me a better understanding of the 2d I have been using for 20 years. For the first time with the imaging units I was able to catch fish I saw on the DI. Whichever unit you choose, I think you should get the largest screen in your budget.  As far as mounting it, with the proper Ram Mount, you can mount the unit(s) anywhere on the boat.

[Jig Man]

I have a couple of Low HDS units that have sonar, down and side scans.  I use the side scan to locate structure and cover and mark it with wpts.  I use down scan when I am fishing.  It shows the fish and brush a lot better than 2 d sonar.

 

Here are a few pics of down scan.

 

 

[DelcoSol]

DelcoSol:  I just got a Elite 7 HDI a few weeks ago and had it installed on my 09 Tracker Pro Team 170 TX, had to use a Ram mount because the size of the 7 HDI  would not go where the original Lowrance unit did.  It sets off to the side more but I really like it and I can turn it around so I can see it from the front of the boat when I am fishing.  Just got out on the water this morning for a while and tested the 7 HDI out.  Man i love the 7 inch screen and I mostly ran the split screen with the sonar and the HDI, it is great.  The bigger screen is just great.  Which ever fish finder you get the Ram mount is the way to go.

I think I am sold on the 7 HDI. I like that fact that I can network them when I get another for the bow. Which ram mount did you use? I think I will need the one wit the double pivot arm? I have played with both HB and Lowrance in the store and didn't have an issue with the Lowrance. I like some of the features the Lowrance has over the HB.

[Mace]

 DelcoSol:  the ram mount I have is the one that i can tighten and loosen in the middle and it can be moved on the top and or bottom, it must be at least 6 inches in between the top  and bottom.  Sorry I don't know which one that is, I bought it at the boat dealer and had them install it so I never saw the box it came in.   The ability to be able to turn the unit around so I can see it front the front deck is great.  Now I won't have to get a locator for the front, although I may someday.

[DelcoSol]

Is it like this? http://www.basspro.com/RAM-Mounts-Swing-Arm-Mounts/product/98428/

[slonezp]

Is it like this? http://www.basspro.com/RAM-Mounts-Swing-Arm-Mounts/product/98428/

It's going to be the style of the first choice http://www.rammount.com/Products/MarineElectronicMounts/FishfinderMounts/LowranceFishfinderMounts/tabid/4778/Default.aspx#

It's more versatile than the one you posted. There are different size arms, so you'll need to figure out which one works best. The 2.25" ball is for rugged use and if you encounter any rough water/wakes, that's the size ball you want. 

[DelcoSol]

If I get the seven inch unit I feel like it is too big to put in the stock location thats why I was thinking of the swing arm style to bring it out to the right some.

[Mace]

slonezp is right, that one looks like the one I have.  they did not put it in the stock hole.  They put it out towards the edge of the boat and back towards the driver more.  If I get back up to the lake I can take a picture of it if U need me too.  It is a little off to the side of where it was so the windshield is not in the way. I think it looks great.  When I am done and want to cover the boat I take the Lowrance off the mount and losen the center knob and fold the ram mount in towards the boat, it works great.

[RoachDad]

I have a couple of Low HDS units that have sonar, down and side scans.  I use the side scan to locate structure and cover and mark it with wpts.  I use down scan when I am fishing.  It shows the fish and brush a lot better than 2 d sonar.

 

Here are a few pics of down scan.

 

 

Holy moley!  I might be able to find fish if I could see that!

 

I have to find one of these in a pawn shop or something.

 

wow

[slonezp]

I don't know what your dash looks like but here's a pic of mine with the mount I told you about

[slonezp]

Cisco makes a stainless mount which is not really versatile but they claim it will hold under any conditions. http://www.ciscofishingsystemsltd.com/shop/sure-lok-electronics-mount-5225 It's a nice looking unit but may not be practical for a bass boat application because of the lack of dash space. The 2.25" RAM I have on the bow and dash. They have held thru some pretty rough stuff.  

[DelcoSol]

It's hard to explain what I need. I will take some pics today.