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

Originally Posted by eyegotsoul

Just bought my Elite 5 dsi this afternoon from Academy Sports in Columbia SC for $379. I can't wait to try it out. Searched the internet and found these short instructional videos: YouTube This is my first FF and I have a lot to learn. If anybody is willing to help a brother out, I need a few waypoints for Lake Wateree.

Can't help you out on waypoints .... but, check back thru the posts in this thread, and you'll find links to the Operations Manual, charts that show the shape & width pattern of the sonar beam, a pretty cheap place to buy a blank micro SD card/reader (in case you want to capture screenshots), and a whole bunch of other information.

Even so, don't be hesitant to ask any question or add your observations to this thread.

... cp

Bought this used off E-bay for $30.00. Had some of the padding emoved but fit with no modifications.

Does anyone know the chart speed of this unit? Thanks.

I'd like to know that as well. I'd also like to know why Lowrance thought it wasn't important enough to provide a unit with adjustable sensitivity, chart speed, and ping speed!

Probably because of the price point and didn't want to provide a better product at such a low cost in comparison to the Elite 7 and up. After looking at an Elite 7 in action, there is a noticeable difference between my unit and the Elite 7.

Originally Posted by OzarkAngler

I'd like to know that as well. I'd also like to know why Lowrance thought it wasn't important enough to provide a unit with adjustable sensitivity, chart speed, and ping speed!

Probably because of the price point and didn't want to provide a better product at such a low cost in comparison to the Elite 7 and up. After looking at an Elite 7 in action, there is a noticeable difference between my unit and the Elite 7.

Personally, I think Lowrance & HB have been in heavy competition over the last few years ... and the Elite 5DSI came to market well before the Elite HDS units ... so there's really no way to compare the Elite DSI's to the Elite HDS's.

For the time period that it came to market, the Elite 5DSI was a showpiece at the 2010 ICast show. A lot of tech improvements & competition between brands has occurred in the last few years.

... cp

True. I didn't realize the Elite 5dsi was that old and pre-dated the HDS units. That explains a lot really.

Well I am a newbie to this site and I find lots of great info on here.. Bought my Elite5 DSI few months ago and like it very well . I hope someone can help me. My problem may be simple, I might be slow at catching on. I don't seem to get the structure like everyone talks about here. My Son and I took it out on one of the small lakes around the house and we had it showing all the trees and stuff on the bottom thought we had it figured out. Haven't been able to get it since. not sure if it is something I am doing wrong or if there is something wrong with the unit.. We see fish in the water and junk on the bottom but just nothing you can really make out, Like what you all show or what it says it is suppose to do... We call it junk on the bottom because it is never a defined pic.. We fish from 10 to 50 ft. of water around Truman lake and Osage River.. We have the transducer mounted on the transom. We have played and messed with just about everything.. I like the unit and think it does work as far as showing fish.. I want to be able to use what I paid for. Any suggestions of what I might try?

Originally Posted by FishinMissouri

Well I am a newbie to this site and I find lots of great info on here.. Bought my Elite5 DSI few months ago and like it very well . I hope someone can help me. My problem may be simple, I might be slow at catching on. I don't seem to get the structure like everyone talks about here. My Son and I took it out on one of the small lakes around the house and we had it showing all the trees and stuff on the bottom thought we had it figured out. Haven't been able to get it since. not sure if it is something I am doing wrong or if there is something wrong with the unit.. We see fish in the water and junk on the bottom but just nothing you can really make out, Like what you all show or what it says it is suppose to do... We call it junk on the bottom because it is never a defined pic.. We fish from 10 to 50 ft. of water around Truman lake and Osage River.. We have the transducer mounted on the transom. We have played and messed with just about everything.. I like the unit and think it does work as far as showing fish.. I want to be able to use what I paid for. Any suggestions of what I might try?

What settings do you have turned on, as far as :

Depth range
Auto or manual/advanced
455 or 800kHz
single or split screen sonar
standard or 2x zoom

.... and are you sure you are actually moving over something that is larger than simple bottom "junk" ??

If you have a blank micro sd card ... put it in the unit & take screen shots of what you're seeing, or what settings you have, then post them here. Then we might be able to help you dial in and get the images you seek.

If you haven't already done so, I suggest you click on this link : http://www.lowrance.com/Root/Lowranc...0153-001_w.pdf ... and print it out for reference.

If you don't already have one, get a 2G micro sd card & reader (if your computer doesn't have a card reader) ... I chose this one : 2GB microSD Secure Digital TransFlash Card with Reader (BMZ-C) ... since it comes with a USB flash drive reader, as I do not have a card reader on my computer, but do have several open USB ports.

If you have a map card in your unit, and don't like the idea of switching sd cards just to take a screenshot .... a digital camera will work OK, if you set up your shot correctly.

And, Welcome to Crappie.com !!


... cp