Question about a sonar unit I'm considering

[Osprey39]

I'm thinking about upgrading my Lowrance x125 on the bow to a Lowrance Elite-5 DSI/Chartplotter.  For those not familiar with the unit, it only displays in downscan imaging.  I've never owned a unit with DSI (or sidescan) so my question is two-fold for those that are familiar with them:

1) Is there any reason you would want to still have the traditional sonar display (like the x125)?

2) For those that have used side scan imaging, how important do you think it is?  To get a unit with DSI and SSI plus GPS, it would cost a whole lot more.  My budget is kind of limited but I don't want to spend $650 on a unit that I'll want to upgrade again right away.

Please let me know what you think.

[Wayne P.]

I have a Humminbird Side Imaging unit and I wouldn't want a sonar unit with just Down Scan or Down Imaging. The coverage area is very small as compared to a 2D sonar cone.

Humminbird is marketing several Down Imaing/2D sonar units in their 2011 line.

The Down Scan or Down Imging helps interpret what 2D sonar is showning.

This is a school of bass feeding on shad next to some limbs:

[Osprey39]

Interesting Wayne.  I was looking at the Humminbird units but they aren't for sale at BPS and BPS has 6 pay option (ends today) that I can take advantage of.  I really can't afford to shell out $650 all at once right now with Christmas coming up.  Do you think keeping my x125 and using it in conjunction with the DSI unit would be a viable option?

[Wayne P.]

Yes, I guess you could use a DI-only unit to interpret what you see on your X125.

It would be kind of like the Humminbird 898, 997/998, 1197/1198 units that have 2D and DI beside each other on the screen.

My personal preference is like the Humminbird 798 image I posted with one above the other for a more direct interpretation.

Here is another one of standing timber:

[Wayne P.]

Here is a DI-only snapshot of thick vegetation on a point:

[Wayne P.]

Here is the same point with the split screen 2D/DI:

[oteymc]

I don't want to h-jack the thread, but Wayne, are all those images from a 798? is that side imaging, or down imaging?  And is it hard to learn to use?

[oteymc]

I think the thread below answered my questions.

[Todd Driscoll]

I'm thinking about upgrading my Lowrance x125 on the bow to a Lowrance Elite-5 DSI/Chartplotter. For those not familiar with the unit, it only displays in downscan imaging. I've never owned a unit with DSI (or sidescan) so my question is two-fold for those that are familiar with them:

1) Is there any reason you would want to still have the traditional sonar display (like the x125)?

2) For those that have used side scan imaging, how important do you think it is? To get a unit with DSI and SSI plus GPS, it would cost a whole lot more. My budget is kind of limited but I don't want to spend $650 on a unit that I'll want to upgrade again right away.

Please let me know what you think.

I'd suggest that the only reason Lowrance DSI users would need traditional sonar installed is if they need to be able to see deeper than 250ft, want to track bottom when running over 50mph, or if they want to consistently track their bait on the screen (since the front to back cone angle is small on DSI it is hard to keep the jig in it). With these exceptions, Lowrance downscan is so clear there is no need for additional 2D sonar.

[scrutch]

Wow Wayne, You've really got that thing dialed in.  Did it take you long to learn what settings worked best for that type of image clarity? 

Great images Wayne.  thanks.

(I hope this doesn't qualify as hijacking.)

[Wayne P.]

scrutch, the only settings I changed from the factory default setting was the 2D color pallet, the SI color (from blue), and I added white line to the 2D.

I change the SI color depending on the ambient light to whichever looks the best at that time.

The images were done with the unit at the bow with a trolling motor mounted transducer. I was fishing an electric only lake.

No other settings were changed.