Lowrance Elite5 vs Elite5DSI

[RJClark]

So it sounds like the DSI with the 250 feet capacity should be good? Thanks everyone.

[Hunters Pa]

I agonized over teh decision and went with the DSI. I am more interested in finding structure that could be holding fish that I can't see than seeing potential fish that may or may not respond.

[salty pirate]

Originally Posted by RJClark

So it sounds like the DSI with the 250 feet capacity should be good? Thanks everyone.

call lowrance and tell them what type of fishing you are doing first. in my experiance dsi will not be as helpfull in saltwater conditions over 90 ft.

[momo fish]

I can see the need for DSI.. Im looking into getting the elite 4 DSI as that would meet my needs for color FF plus be able to get better images for structure..

Will hope the elite 7 in the future.. but overkill..

[RJClark]

Does anyone have the Gold version with the better charts? How is the bottom detail?

[TJones]

strange how the lowrance only scans to 90' ? this is supposed to compete with the hummingbird. hummingbird has a new model 500 series with down imaging and side imaging . unit is not cheap , needless to say , but either is a lowrance . the hummingbirds are definitely putting out a lot of power. i am barley learning how to switch from 80 / 200 , so i am no expert . . good luck . the one thing that might be more advantageous is the hummingbird transducer , as opposed to the lowrance transducer . they both need to be in the water to work properly , but the lowrance transducer is long and thin , about 10 " . the hummngbird is 4" x 5" , and 3/4 " thick . this is on the higher units . correct me if i am wrong?

[Sin Coast]

Originally Posted by salty pirate

call lowrance and tell them what type of fishing you are doing first. in my experiance dsi will not be as helpfull in saltwater conditions over 90 ft.

Ditto! My Elite 5 dsi craps out around 100ft depending on where I'm fishing. It supposedly is accurate to 250 but I think that's only in freshwater.
Missing my old Humminbird 535 lol!

[CorvinaLoca]

...that what she says... Sorry, Michael Scott reference...

If I'm not mistaken, people are referring to 2 different types of transducers. The standard 83/200 or standard 50/200 ducer will fit in PA's space for a ducer, BUT that is only for broadband sonar. In order to get DSI function from the Elite unit (why else get the Elite 7?) you need the Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) ducer which has the other set of numbers at the end (455/800) indicating HDI. I'm pretty sure that the 50/200,455/800 HDI ducer is 10 inches n won't fit. Not sure about 83/200,455/800 HDI ducer. Also, I believe the 83/200 ducer setup should suit quite well for kayak fishing purposes inshore. In shallower (under 100 ft) water should give better image theoretically. I've never compared them, so just my hunch- check around and or ask Lowrance.

[Ddwineguy]

Originally Posted by CorvinaLoca

...that what she says... Sorry, Michael Scott reference...

If I'm not mistaken, people are referring to 2 different types of transducers. The standard 83/200 or standard 50/200 ducer will fit in PA's space for a ducer, BUT that is only for broadband sonar. In order to get DSI function from the Elite unit (why else get the Elite 7?) you need the Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) ducer which has the other set of numbers at the end (455/800) indicating HDI. I'm pretty sure that the 50/200,455/800 HDI ducer is 10 inches n won't fit. Not sure about 83/200,455/800 HDI ducer. Also, I believe the 83/200 ducer setup should suit quite well for kayak fishing purposes inshore. In shallower (under 100 ft) water should give better image theoretically. I've never compared them, so just my hunch- check around and or ask Lowrance.

This is the 83/200 for the elite 7. It also has a built in 455 for hdi. Fits fine in the PA 12. This is a brand new transducer for this year.