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

LOWRANCE ELITE-5 DSI COLOR COMBO FISHFINDER/CHARTPLOTTER $358.95 is cheapest I've found no tax free shipping.

Originally Posted by Tracker123

Still wondering what the chart speed is. Anyone?

Based on my other sonar units that allows adjusting the chart speed, I'm going to say it's between 50-75%. Probably about 60-65% if you really want to narrow it down. The slower the chart speed on my other units, the more defined the image however, it can be a bit jumbled and trashy at times. I have found that a faster chart speed cleans up some of the noise and helps also with dropshot presentations for bass. Larger more expensive units like the HDS units however seem to benefit from slower chart speeds because they have hi-def screens with more pixels.

I just ordered the elite 5 dsi unit, The information on the web site says that it includes the trolling motor adapter so maybe I won't have to buy one. I have a sd card out of my digital camera, plugged it into my computer and it reads all the pics that is on the card, I think that tells me that I already have a card reader installed on the computer so I think all I need is a 2 gb micro sd card and adapter am I right?

Originally Posted by wackyman

I just ordered the elite 5 dsi unit, The information on the web site says that it includes the trolling motor adapter so maybe I won't have to buy one. I have a sd card out of my digital camera, plugged it into my computer and it reads all the pics that is on the card, I think that tells me that I already have a card reader installed on the computer so I think all I need is a 2 gb micro sd card and adapter am I right?

I think the website says "trolling motor mount bracket option" ... which I believe is just the normal tm bracket, that leaves the transducer sticking out away from the trolling motor ... and not necessarily the "sleeve" that I show in my pics.
If that's the case, I wouldn't purchase the transducer bracket (sleeve) from these same people. Their price of $33 is high ... you can get it off Amazon.com (from "Reds Gear") for $22 --- Amazon.com: Buying Choices: Lowrance Trolling Motor DSI Transducer Adapter But, I would wait until you receive your unit, and check to see which "bracket" is included.

If you have a slot for a SD card in your computer ... then all you would need is the 2gig micro card & the adapter, if your talking about something like this : Transcend 2GB MicroSD Flash Card Model TS2GUSD - Newegg.com

I don't have a card reader or SD card slot capabilities on my computer, which is why I opted to buy the "kit" deal (sd micro card/adapter card/usb flash drive reader). I had no intention of purchasing a map card, and only needed the micro card for the update and taking screenshots. Since there's only one card slot in the unit, anyway, you'd have to swap out cards to take screenshots ... and that would mean having to have the blank card handy & accessible at a moments notice That's a little cumbersome IMHO.

You probably won't need to update your unit, as the newer units have already been updated. Your blank 2g micro sd card will only be a necessary purchase if you want to save screenshots. Future updates are probably not forthcoming for this unit, since it has been downgraded to the mid level status (from the introduction of the HDS series units). But for around $6-$7 ... you'll have the capability of screenshots and future updates, IF those updates should happen to be forthcoming (or in the case of your unit not already being updated to the 3.6.0 software version).

... cp

I'll look tonight but I'm pretty sure my unit has and came with the trolling motor sleeve type mount you showed in your picture.

Thanks everybody I might get the card so I can save my spots I find and maybe screen shots, I'll put whichever tm mount it comes with on so I can get it on the water then if I have to switch it out I can later.

I'm official now!! :D

Originally Posted by wackyman

Thanks everybody I might get the card so I can save my spots I find and maybe screen shots, I'll put whichever tm mount it comes with on so I can get it on the water then if I have to switch it out I can later.

If saving your "spots" means your waypoints ... the internal memory of the unit will save them for you (about 3000 of them). I don't know if you can transfer the waypoint coords to a blank card or not ???
However .... you "could" mark a waypoint on some cover you find, then do a screenshot. And if you remember the number of that waypoint, you can reference it with the screenshot & keep a notebook/log of what exactly each waypoint is (tree, rockpile, brushpile, dropoff, etc).

... cp