Any opinions on the Lowrance "DSI" fish finders - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Cattledog · 07-29-2013, 12:19 PM

Hello,
Anyone care to offer any thoughts on the "DSI" fish finders? These are the units that include the almost 3 dimensional view of the bottom. The units that do not include the 3 dimensional view are a little less expensive.

Also, any thoughts on getting a cheaper black and white unit vs color? The color units are definitely "cooler" but has anyone tried both and seen any real fish finding advantages with the color units?

Finally I sure hope these units are pretty water tight as I seem to have more than my share of yard sales when I land in surf!

Chris

beef78 · 07-29-2013, 01:17 PM

I just bought a used mark 4 and it is pretty awesom. I could follow my 4 ounce sinker all the way to the bottom in 120 feet of water. When I dropped a squid gannion down, it could pick out the individual squid hooks. The GPS is pretty awesome, too.

Cattledog · 07-29-2013, 01:21 PM

Hey Beef78, is your model 4 one of the "DSI" units? Its probably down the 4 or 5 for me but I want to learn more about the desirability of the DSI. I also need to take some measurements to see if the larger unit will fit nicely into my PA cockpit.
Chris

beef78 · 07-29-2013, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cattledog

Hey Beef78, is your model 4 one of the "DSI" units? Its probably down the 4 or 5 for me but I want to learn more about the desirability of the DSI. I also need to take some measurements to see if the larger unit will fit nicely into my PA cockpit.
Chris

It's not the DSI.

ZepBonham · 07-29-2013, 01:28 PM

I just got the elite 5 dsi/gps with navionics gold for $270 at west marine. Saved some money for professional install.

I was curious if an interior wet mount is much better than using scupper install. I'm headed to OEX to chat them up about this. I gotta get this thing hooked up!

Your fish finder should not be installed on yak during launch and landing. I would have it in a waterproof compartment, and plug it in once safe on the water.

Cattledog · 07-29-2013, 02:12 PM

Hey ZepBonham,
I checked with West Marine today and they quoted $450 for the Lowrance Elite 5 DSI. You got an awesome price! Thanks for the advice re water resistance - that makes sense to me. Chris

YakDout · 07-29-2013, 02:39 PM

Direct water mount for dsi will give you the best readings. I have a mark 4 and have tried 3 mounts for transducer. The scupper hole direct water mount is the best. Lowrance makes a mount specifically for scupper holes now. It's like 50$ I think. Or you could build one yourself with some PVC.

Ggiannig89 · 07-29-2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cattledog

Hey ZepBonham,
I checked with West Marine today and they quoted $450 for the Lowrance Elite 5 DSI. You got an awesome price! Thanks for the advice re water resistance - that makes sense to me. Chris

I also got mine for around 270. They go on sale every once in awhile. Get the westmarine magazine sent to your house

salty pirate · 07-29-2013, 08:14 PM

check out the elite-5 HDI you get both down image and traditional sonar. I have the elite-7 HDI and am happy with it. It did have a problem with the amp scope so they are sending me a new unit.
http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Produc...HDI-en-us.aspx

solyluna · 07-30-2013, 07:13 AM

Waiting on the. Elite 5 HDI to be available

07-29-2013, 12:19 PM	#1
Cattledog Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 31	Any opinions on the Lowrance "DSI" fish finders Hello, Anyone care to offer any thoughts on the "DSI" fish finders? These are the units that include the almost 3 dimensional view of the bottom. The units that do not include the 3 dimensional view are a little less expensive. Also, any thoughts on getting a cheaper black and white unit vs color? The color units are definitely "cooler" but has anyone tried both and seen any real fish finding advantages with the color units? Finally I sure hope these units are pretty water tight as I seem to have more than my share of yard sales when I land in surf! Chris

07-29-2013, 01:17 PM	#2
beef78 Large Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 316	I just bought a used mark 4 and it is pretty awesom. I could follow my 4 ounce sinker all the way to the bottom in 120 feet of water. When I dropped a squid gannion down, it could pick out the individual squid hooks. The GPS is pretty awesome, too. __________________ "I shall not tiptoe through life to arrive safely at death."

07-29-2013, 01:21 PM	#3
Cattledog Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 31	Hey Beef78, is your model 4 one of the "DSI" units? Its probably down the 4 or 5 for me but I want to learn more about the desirability of the DSI. I also need to take some measurements to see if the larger unit will fit nicely into my PA cockpit. Chris

07-29-2013, 01:28 PM	#5
ZepBonham Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 35	I just got the elite 5 dsi/gps with navionics gold for $270 at west marine. Saved some money for professional install. I was curious if an interior wet mount is much better than using scupper install. I'm headed to OEX to chat them up about this. I gotta get this thing hooked up! Your fish finder should not be installed on yak during launch and landing. I would have it in a waterproof compartment, and plug it in once safe on the water.

07-29-2013, 02:12 PM	#6
Cattledog Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 31	Hey ZepBonham, I checked with West Marine today and they quoted $450 for the Lowrance Elite 5 DSI. You got an awesome price! Thanks for the advice re water resistance - that makes sense to me. Chris

07-29-2013, 02:39 PM	#7
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Direct water mount for dsi will give you the best readings. I have a mark 4 and have tried 3 mounts for transducer. The scupper hole direct water mount is the best. Lowrance makes a mount specifically for scupper holes now. It's like 50$ I think. Or you could build one yourself with some PVC.

07-29-2013, 08:14 PM	#9
salty pirate Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: where the hell is Temecula Posts: 268	check out the elite-5 HDI you get both down image and traditional sonar. I have the elite-7 HDI and am happy with it. It did have a problem with the amp scope so they are sending me a new unit. http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Produc...HDI-en-us.aspx

07-30-2013, 07:13 AM	#10
solyluna Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 73	Waiting on the. Elite 5 HDI to be available