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

I have one, and I'm sure there are others that have/use them. So ... I thought I'd start a thread on this unit. I'm not looking for comparisons of this unit vs other brands or models ... just THIS particular unit :p

What I'm looking for is any & all info on how this unit works for those that own/use it, settings used in various situations, tips & tricks utilized to maximize performance, etc.

I'll start by saying that, even though I do have mine mounted on my boat (bow/TM mount) ... I have only had the opportunity to put it to an "on the water" test, one time. (which is also one of the main reasons for this discussion thread ... so as to shorten the learning curve, in the operation of this unit). This is my first experience with a depthfinder unit other than the b/w 2d greyscale type units ... so, any information & experiences are welcome.

I do not have a SD card map, yet .... so I'm still dependant upon the internal (outline) lake maps that come with the unit. That's fine, for now ... but, I do welcome any information or discussion on the available map cards that work with this unit, as well as experiences from those that (like me) have yet to purchase one (&/or don't see the need for one).


... cp

Fitst off.congradulations on your new unit.i dont no mutch about that unit so i cant help .im sure that its a quality unit thou.as far mapping gos i believe the mini navionocs sd card works for your unit.

Arky ... I've only had the opportunity to use mine, on the water, one time. I do play around with the emulator program, on my computer, but that's only to familiarize myself with button functions & menu choices. Pre-programmed simulations are set to be the best picture/outcome that the unit can show ... and we all know that real time use doesn't always produce the same results.

I'm $477 into this unit .. and do not have a map card. But, since I'll be using it on lakes that I'm already familiar with (for now) ... the in-unit map will suffice. If I start branching out into unfamiliar waters, on a regular basis, then I'll likely get a map card. I knew, coming into this purchase, that it was a moderate upgrade over the unit it replaced (+ color, +GPS, +chartplotter/map/waypoint capability) ... but felt it was worth it, at that price.

I'll know more about how well it's going to work, for me, once I get more time on the water with it. What I'm looking for now, is a discussion on the settings that give the best outcome in picture quality, target seperation, ability to identify cover type, identify fish, ect. ... and the depth ranges being fished. I rarely fish deeper than 30ft ... and the majority of the time it's between 10-20ft. Less than 10fow ... and a down pointing DF is, to me, only useful to keep the boat positioned in that depth, since the cover/targets I'm fishing are not likely to be right under me.

I can see where the elongated oval cone angle of the DSI would be good for spider rigging & slow trolling .. but I haven't gotten into using those methods very often. Anyone have pros/cons to discuss about DSI when casting or dock shooting ??

... cp

How do you get the Emulator program on your computer

Originally Posted by farmer1940

How do you get the Emulator program on your computer

Product Emulators - LOWRANCE | Marine Electronics

It's the one called Elite 5 Emulator .... BUT, before you waste your time with this emulator program, be advised that it does NOT show many functions for an Elite 5 DSI but, more likely those of a Elite 4 unit.
This one IS different than the one I downloaded a couple of years back. At least that one had Elite 4 & Elite 5 functions "combined" in the program. This one shows only 83/200kHz sonar, fish symbols, and other things that are not available on a Elite 5 DSI. The sonar picture on this emulator program is entirely different than what you will see on the unit (on the water) and even on the "simulator" program in the unit.

My says using this Emulator program to learn how to use a Elite 5 DSI ... would be like downloading a game of Solitaire, to learn how to play Poker

... cp

Thanks I won't even mess with it. I thought it would be something good to sit here at the house and get used to before I got on the water.

Originally Posted by farmer1940

Thanks I won't even mess with it. I thought it would be something good to sit here at the house and get used to before I got on the water.

Yeah, I was lucky to have bought my unit from another member ... and the deal included two power/transducer cords. I just use a portable jumper battery & hook it up right here in the house, whenever I need to "play around with it". That's how I learned that the "old" Emulator program had Elite 4 functions included in it.

... cp

Just in case these screenshots weren't seen, here's three that I took the other day :


A big Cedar tree that I passed over (ignore the right half of the screen, I turned the trolling motor to avoid hitting the tree top with the big motor):



Beginning of a very large brushpile:



The other end of that same brushpile (notice large tree piled on top):



Forgive the lousy color scheme ... I changed some settings without my glasses on and don't know how I switched it from the "night fishing" setting.

... cp

When you decide on the maps, be sure you check into the zoom capability. In most cases, maps determine the zoom based on render.

The only negative comments that I have about my Elite5 DSI is the fact the screen is a little smaller than I like and the owners manuals are useless. You'll spend alot of time messing with it on the water than fishing in the beginning. Once you get it figured out though I think you'll enjoy it. Works great at top speeds. I run mine split screen 455/800 pretty much all the time. Don't know why but I seem to get a better understanding of what's actually under the boat this way. I have the Navionics card in mine and the maps are great. Matter of fact I just got a prompt to upgrade my desktop maps this morning. I use the desktop maps alot when sitting here at the house. Studying the maps on the computer then inputting the waypoints is pretty much how I fish. What looks good on the map may not always be a good place to fish. I mark it, scout it out a bit if it's a good place then I save it forever.