Thread: Discussion on Lowrance Elite 5 DSI/Chartplotter ....

Now that's what I'm talkin'bout Thumbs Up ... thanks David !!

The "screenshot" info .... something I wasn't even aware of being able to do !! When I was referring to owners making a "screen shot", I was thinking of them using a camera. Rofl Now that I know a screenshot can be made on a card, makes getting a card & reader a more dollar worthy idea than just for random updates (that may or may not increase the unit's capabilities).

:Hands Clapping David ... looking forward to seeing/hearing about your experiences with this unit.

... luck2ya

.. cp

Pappy,

Glad to provide more information to all as i learn it. Be advised the screenshot function is a feature included with internal software version 2.8 or greater. The software version is shown on the blue startup screen, bottom left corner.

Originally Posted by Davidrha

Pappy,

Glad to provide more information to all as i learn it. Be advised the screenshot function is a feature included with internal software version 2.8 or greater. The software version is shown on the blue startup screen, bottom left corner.

Good to know, David .... thanks !!

If that was included in the latest update, and not already available in the unit, then kudos to Lowrance for giving us that capability. All the more reason for purchasing the sd card & updating the unit !!

... cp

Is anyone using the external antenna? I gave my unit a good workout last week and noticed that below .70 mph it is almost impossible to zero in on a waypoint. Get up above that and its right on. I doubt that the external would increase refresh rate but thought I would ask. I wish I would have known about that update before I went to the lake for a week.

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

Is anyone using the external antenna? I gave my unit a good workout last week and noticed that below .70 mph it is almost impossible to zero in on a waypoint. Get up above that and its right on. I doubt that the external would increase refresh rate but thought I would ask. I wish I would have known about that update before I went to the lake for a week.

Bill,

I guess first and foremost, what signal accuracy did you have at the time? What is the amount of error you are encountering? From my experience with GPS, While stationary (or nearly so) I have found the readings are subject to the accuracy factor at that time. I.E if you had 25' accuracy at the time, you position could be anywhere within that 25' circle. To my understanding, while in motion, the GPS applies a different formula to the position, applying a calculated "smoothing" to your position. If this was not done, think what your tracks would look like, zig-jag +/- the accuracy at the time.

Perhaps the external antenna would help if the internal antenna is obstructed from a clear view of the Sky 360deg or nearly so.

I have not had the chance to use my E5DSI yet, What are your impressions of the FF itself? For me the ability to see bait fish and thermoclines are important.

David

Originally Posted by Davidrha

Bill,

I guess first and foremost, what signal accuracy did you have at the time? What is the amount of error you are encountering? From my experience with GPS, While stationary (or nearly so) I have found the readings are subject to the accuracy factor at that time. I.E if you had 25' accuracy at the time, you position could be anywhere within that 25' circle. To my understanding, while in motion, the GPS applies a different formula to the position, applying a calculated "smoothing" to your position. If this was not done, think what your tracks would look like, zig-jag +/- the accuracy at the time.

Perhaps the external antenna would help if the internal antenna is obstructed from a clear view of the Sky 360deg or nearly so.

I have not had the chance to use my E5DSI yet, What are your impressions of the FF itself? For me the ability to see bait fish and thermoclines are important.

David

I didn't think to check the accuracy at the time and I believe the LCX27 I use to have did the same thing on the same lake and it had an external antenna. I know my H2O did with an external antenna. So maybe its just that area of the world. I'll have to check it closer here at home which is about 100 miles east of where I was. Overall I really like the unit. Like Pappy I didn't know I had the screenshot capability until I read your post. (rev 3.5 loaded) These pics were taken with the unit operating at default settings.

A different antenna will produce the same results. GPS does not have pinpoint accuracy, moving or sitting still. You will never get more than 3 meters of accuracy. That is a limitation of the GPS system, not your receiver.

Update : Used my unit this past Saturday & I found out that:
if I have my polarized sunglasses on, I can't see a thing on the screen ... it looks like the unit's been turned off

that I have a time display

that I need to fiddle with the menu a little more (& familiarize myself with it, better)

that I'm subject to getting a hit while I'm "playing" with the settings


that I like the Black background setting, more than the White background setting

that I can pull up the TM & leave the unit on, & it will clock the speed of my boat (& we all know a GPS is more accurate than a Speedo Thumbs Up )

that I need to print out this thread, collate all the usable info onto a notepad, and put the notepad in my tacklebox ... rather than relying on my geezer memory banghead Rofl


... cp