Upgrading Fishfinder on my Z7 Sport

[Ray K]

I just bought a 2014 Nitro Z7 Sport that has the factory installed Lowrance 5X Pro in the console. (no GPS)  I want to buy a new Elite 5 or Hook 5 to install in the console and move the 5X Pro to the bow panel.  So, several questions:

1)  Can I use the power and transducer connections currently in the console for the new Elite or Hook 5 or do the GPS units use different transducers?

2)  If question 1 is true, can I buy the Elite or Hook with a bow mount transducer that I can then use to hook up the old 5X Pro unit to my bow?

3)  Does anyone know if the console panel on my Z7 Sport is wide enough and high enough to go with an Elite or Hook 7 instead of the 5?

Thanks for any help, fellas.

[crankbank]

I do not have an answer, but I would like to give you my opinion...

I did this exact same maneuver on my 2014 z6, and while I am almost positive their transducers are different (mark vs. elite), I will leave that stuff up to someone who knows better. But I will say that the Mark 5x is a complete POS. I would swap it out for an Elite 5 or 7 (not sure if a 7 will fit), and toss the Mark 5x.  I had it up front for 2 seasons and could not depend on it at all.  The readings never made sense, especially compared to the elite at the console (regardless of the data being 17~ feet apart).

I ended up grabbing a Garmin 73sv on sale at bass pro over the winter and tossed it up front.  Sorry for the long message, but I would not waste your time and money moving the mark 5x up front.

[Ray K]

19 hours ago, crankbank said:

I do not have an answer, but I would like to give you my opinion...

I did this exact same maneuver on my 2014 z6, and while I am almost positive their transducers are different (mark vs. elite), I will leave that stuff up to someone who knows better. But I will say that the Mark 5x is a complete POS. I would swap it out for an Elite 5 or 7 (not sure if a 7 will fit), and toss the Mark 5x.  I had it up front for 2 seasons and could not depend on it at all.  The readings never made sense, especially compared to the elite at the console (regardless of the data being 17~ feet apart).

I ended up grabbing a Garmin 73sv on sale at bass pro over the winter and tossed it up front.  Sorry for the long message, but I would not waste your time and money moving the mark 5x up front.

Really appreciate your thoughts.  I just bought the boat home and haven't fished out of it yet so no chance to use the Mark 5x Pro.  If it's as bad as you say, I will replace it.  One question you might help with.................Was there power wiring up front in your Z6 for the bow mount fish finder or did you have to run wiring from the fuse panel yourself?  My Z7 Sport has a flat panel up front and I'm hoping there is a power wire behind it.  I presume you mounted your bow finder with a trolling motor transducer?  Thanks again for your comments.

19 hours ago, crankbank said:

I do not have an answer, but I would like to give you my opinion...

I did this exact same maneuver on my 2014 z6, and while I am almost positive their transducers are different (mark vs. elite), I will leave that stuff up to someone who knows better. But I will say that the Mark 5x is a complete POS. I would swap it out for an Elite 5 or 7 (not sure if a 7 will fit), and toss the Mark 5x.  I had it up front for 2 seasons and could not depend on it at all.  The readings never made sense, especially compared to the elite at the console (regardless of the data being 17~ feet apart).

I ended up grabbing a Garmin 73sv on sale at bass pro over the winter and tossed it up front.  Sorry for the long message, but I would not waste your time and money moving the mark 5x up front.

Another question..............Why would I want to put an Elite 5 or 7 up in the bow?  I'd be paying for a unit with GPS that I don't need up front.  Is there another Lowrance finder you'd recommend for the bow without GPS?

[crankbank]

Anytime, I am glad I can help. I had BPS install the Mark up front, and also the Garmin.  But from the looks if it, they ran the wiring under a slot up front and down the side of my locker to the console fuse panel.  For the Garmin, I had them run the bow wiring all the way up back to my main batteries (suggestion made by Wayne P. - Electronics forum Maestro).  I mounted both to the trolling motor, the mark fit perfectly between my prop and skeg.  The problem with Edge TM, is that the prop and skeg are on opposite sides.  This caused a big problem with my Garmin transducer as it is around 6 inches long.  Ended up having to drop some decent cake on this mount.  BPS cut my skeg off and mounted that, and so far it has been great.   

[Ray K]

14 hours ago, crankbank said:

Anytime, I am glad I can help. I had BPS install the Mark up front, and also the Garmin.  But from the looks if it, they ran the wiring under a slot up front and down the side of my locker to the console fuse panel.  For the Garmin, I had them run the bow wiring all the way up back to my main batteries (suggestion made by Wayne P. - Electronics forum Maestro).  I mounted both to the trolling motor, the mark fit perfectly between my prop and skeg.  The problem with Edge TM, is that the prop and skeg are on opposite sides.  This caused a big problem with my Garmin transducer as it is around 6 inches long.  Ended up having to drop some decent cake on this mount.  BPS cut my skeg off and mounted that, and so far it has been great.   

So, you mounted both transducers to the trolling motor?  Or, are you using the thru-hull transducer for the cockpit unit?

[fishnkamp]

He had only one transducer on the trolling motor at a time.  The reason to have a gps up front is so that you can share way points with the gps unit mounted at the helm.  Let me explain.  If both units are networked it would work like this. On my Lowe Stinger 17 I have an Elite 7chirp  ( now known as a Hook 7) at the helm and another on my front deck.  As I motor along I find a submerged tree with fish on it using the unit at the helm. I mark a waypoint. Now by the time I do this that tree is way behind the boat. I spin around drop the trolling motor and use it to go back to the spot I marked on the rear unit only this time I am using the front unit.  As for what would fit, here is my opinion.  It looks like you would need to stay with a Hook5 if you do not want to change a transducer.  The Elites have side scan so it takes a different transducer.  Instead, I would leave the 5x where it is.  Add a Lowrance Elite7TI mounted behind the windshield using a ram mount.  This gives you a bigger screen to look at, gps mapping, as well as down imaging and side imaging for the least cost for that package.  I would use the 5x for its standard 2d sounder sorta like a flasher was used while running fast in the old days LOL.  I would then save up and add another unit up front such as a Hook7 or Hook 9 later or even another Elit7 TI.  As you can see I have had many boats and lots of electronics.  Try to never buy "just big enough" units.  You will find yourself upgrading and like computers you loose money when you resell and upgrade.  I have owned a ProCraft sport style boat before, so I know how you can do it.  Also when you go to order an Elite 7 TI or a Hook series unit get it with the Gold Mapping it costs more upfront but what it includes is the mapping chip so all of the lake contours will already come loaded on a chip. If you go to get it later it will cost a lot more money.