Lowrance Elite 5 HDI

[BucksandToms]

I just purchased this unit and mounted it on the bow and the transducer is mounted to the trolling motor.
This past weekend was the first time I used it and had trouble seeing the fish arches on the screen in Sonar Mode.

When using the trolling motor at what speed will the fish arches start appearing. I read online that when the boat is moving too slow arches will not appear...just horizontal lines. Does someone have a screen shot of actual fish ID with horizontal lines versus the fish arches?

I know there are variables that affect the unit's funtionality from lake to lake but are there some general settings that I need to be starting at? I have my unit set for freshwater less than 60'.

When I turned on fish ID the unit was showing many fish but when I would turn the ID off I would not see any arches.

I'm having trouble getting the settings dialed in and any help would be greatly appreciated.

[CrappiePappy]

Personally, B&T .... I'd probably never even turn the 2d sonar on. Fish symbols lie as the 2d sonar processor cannot distinguish between a fish & a waterlogged object not connected to the bottom.
Fish arches are only accomplished when this happens:



... and the "arch" is usually only defined if the fish travels through the middle of the cone. Otherwise it can show up as a partial arch or a blob with a rounded top.

I have a Elite 5DSI, which has no 2d sonar capabilities. And that's after having 2d units for decades. But, to be honest, I don't miss the fish symbols or the pixelated blobs that were supposed to be showing the bottom cover ... but, left it up to you to figure out what the heck was showing on the screen.

Now that I have DSI ... I can get a picture quality image of exactly what's down there, and if I want to see "fish" then I "zoom" the screen & look for the little white blotches. I'd show you some screenshots of those white "fish" blotches, but whenever they've come on my screen I've been too busy watching my rods or setting the hook, to bother taking the time to take a screenshot

I'd much rather see this :



than I would a multicolored blob that "could be" anything from a bush, to a tree, to a hump on the bottom, to a heavy ball of baitfish ... like a 2d sonar shows.

That's my ... your mileage may vary.

... cp

[scrapiron]

I agree with CP. Have had my HDI since xmas. Leave on DSI almost all the time because of clarity. Still trying on sonar mode for clear pics.

[CrappiePappy]

And here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about : http://www.crappie.com/crappie/showt...w-Elite-7-pics

If you look at the 2d section of the screenshots, then look at the DSI section ... it kinda speaks for itself.

... cp

[BucksandToms]

Thanks for the all the information. I will try the DSI the next time I am out.

It seems the split screen views can help decipher all the data on the screen.

[CrappiePappy]

Thanks for the all the information. I will try the DSI the next time I am out.

It seems the split screen views can help decipher all the data on the screen.

It's my belief that Lowrance discontinued the Elite 5 DSI unit, in favor of the HDI series, just because of the lack of a 2d sonar in the Elite 5 DSI. People still wanted the fish symbols & "arches" to appear on screen.

Do a split screen with DSI & 2d, next time you're out .... then tell me which picture "tells" you the most useful information. And don't forget to click your DSI into 2X Zoom when you locate a good looking spot and start seeing symbols/arches on the 2d image. Then you'll get a better idea of what to look for on a DSI only screen.

... cp

[Tdekubber]

Does anyone no how to set the date in the settings menue on the elite hdi finders? I can highlite the date but not sure how to put in the date.