In 2014, one of the leaders in the field of marine electronics, the famous company Lowrance (USA), introduced to the market a new addition to the Elite series echo sounders. This was the Elite-3x model - the same budget device as its predecessors, but with improved electronic circuitry and a 3.5-inch diagonal color LCD screen.
You can buy an assortment of Lowrance Elite fish finders HERE.
In a large family of devices designed for finding fish, this sonar, of course, did not become the leader. But its average capabilities are quite enough to effectively find the object of fishing and even distinguish between the hardness of the bottom or the thermocline (a layer of water with a sharp jump in temperature indicators).
Advantages of the Elite-3x echo sounder
This easy-to-use and intuitive device helps to detect the location of underwater inhabitants, examine the topography of the bottom surface, and determine its structure. The picture is displayed on a display with a resolution of 320x240 pixels, supporting 256 colors. In addition, additional data is provided: temperature, battery charge level and other useful information.
The built-in ASP system independently adjusts the sharpness and details of the scanned space, relieving the fisherman of the need to perform these manipulations manually. Many people purchase this device because of the Fish ID technology, which processes the echogram using a complex algorithm. Thanks to this function, fish are classified by size and displayed on the screen with special symbols, and their detection is accompanied by an audible signal.
What else can Elite-3x boast? Quite a sensitive transducer. This sensor operates at two frequencies (83 and 200 kHz), that is, it scans a location using two beams with different viewing angles. Compared to other characteristics, their “range” is impressive. The manufacturer stated a maximum depth of almost 250 meters, which is more than enough for fishing.
INSTRUCTIONS
Reviews
Savely Previously, when fishing, I used cheap Chinese echo sounders (such as “Lucky” and the like). They performed their functions at the very least, but I wanted something more. That all changed when I purchased one of Lowrance's inexpensive Elite 3x fish finders. The difference was noticeable immediately; and it wasn't just the design or the color display. The Lawrence echo sounder really performs its functions 100%. If arcs are visible on the display, then there is no doubt that the fish is really where the device shows it, and not “about there plus/minus 5m,” as was the case on Chinese products. I think it’s better to spend the extra 3-4 thousand rubles, but to buy a really branded item, I’m not a mediocre copy of it.
Oleg Undoubtedly, Lowrance echo sounders are by far the best devices for studying water bodies. Personally, I prefer echo sounders with a DSI function, since they display in much more detail everything that is happening in the water column. Of course, the cost of such devices is sometimes significantly higher than that of conventional echo sounders. But good things are expensive - no one has yet canceled this rule. Sometimes it is better to spend more money, but get a device that is much more convenient to use.
Alexey Brand Lawrence I have been using for a long time, and, in principle, I am satisfied with almost everything. I use the simple and unassuming Mark series scanners; There are plenty of them in our fresh water bodies. However, the market leader is not without its shortcomings. Updated models become more and more expensive from year to year while maintaining almost the same functionality. And as soon as a new option is added to the menu or support for a new sensor, the price can immediately jump by 15–20%. In addition, simple models are gradually leaving the market, and their place is being filled by more expensive, improved versions, the full functionality of which in most cases remains unclaimed.
Lowrance is currently a leader in the production of echolocation devices for bodies of water of any type. The company's products are presented in several series, which are designed to satisfy any customer needs in all price segments. Lowrance echo sounders offer quality and reliability at an affordable price.
Some manual settings
The Elite-3x sonar has seven keys, one of which serves as a cursor. There are buttons for increasing and decreasing the image (Zoom). If necessary, you can zoom in 4 times to view the bottom area in more detail. In addition to its main purpose, the power button also controls the screen backlight. With its help, you can set up the device for fishing at different times of the day. Frequency switching is also done manually.
The echo sounder functions perfectly in automatic mode, but if you need to adjust it to certain specific needs, the user can easily cope with this.
A brief overview of Lowrance fish finders.
Lowrance echo sounders. How to choose and buy. Lowrance brand have no longer needed advertising for a long time. Individual fishermen and large ships fishing around the world have long used this company's products to detect fish. But the company’s greatest fame came from Lowrance portable echo sounders, the main features of which for more than 50 years have been compactness, functionality and ease of use. That is, everything that motivates you to buy a fish finder, if you add build quality and reliability, it becomes easy to explain why this brand is gaining more and more fans every day. History of the creation of Lowrance
The success of the brand was inevitable, since Carl Lowrance, the founder of the company, an avid fisherman and a very inquisitive person, initially laid down in the development of the first devices those principles that appeal to every client. Thus, in 1957, the world’s first high-frequency sonar saw the light of day, which best met the following characteristics:
- compactness;
- autonomy;
- availability;
- light weight.
This device cost 150 US dollars and became the first link in the chain of events that led the company to the current state of affairs, when Lowrance echo sounders are already known to every fisherman on the planet.
However, at first, Karl Lawrence spent improving his product, trying to find interested manufacturers who would set up its production. His attempts were not particularly successful, and the small batch produced had many manufacturing defects, which did not allow the nascent company to quickly rise to the pinnacle of success and make echo sounders available for fishing.
In 1959, Lawrence and his two sons came to the conclusion that they could create a quality product and meet demand only if they started manufacturing themselves. Having collected all the available cash, an old warehouse was rented, within the walls of which the first modest batch of the new device was produced, on which the father of the family had been working for a long time. It was given the name “Little Green Box”. According to the inventor himself, this is exactly the kind of echo sounder he always dreamed of buying. As it turned out, more than a million customers also wanted such a device, at least that’s how many samples of this model were sold, starting from the moment of its creation.
Lowrance - the modern stage
Today, Lowrance is one of the largest manufacturers producing echo sounders for fishing, GPS receivers, and electronic mapping systems. The company's headquarters is located in Oklahoma, Tulsa, where it employs more than a thousand people. Lowrance is now well known around the world thanks to the systems it has developed and implemented:
- NAIS Collision Avoidance, designed specifically to eliminate the possibility of collisions;
- High Definition Systems (HDS), providing the greatest clarity;
- Sirius LWX-1 Weather for monitoring weather conditions;
- StructureScan working with Side Scan or Down Scan Imaging (DSI) are familiar to anyone who uses new Lowrance fish finders;
- Sonic Hub Audio, etc.
Since 2008, Lowrance has been part of Navico Inc. is the largest privately held international marine electronics corporation and is the parent company of leading marine electronics brands: Simrad Yachting, Lowrance and B&G. Navico has approximately 1,500 locations worldwide and is active in markets in more than 100 countries.
Trade assortment
The successful activities of Lowrance and a number of innovative developments have led to the fact that when choosing which echo sounder to buy, more and more customers are choosing the products of the manufacturer from the USA. This is also facilitated by the availability of models, because the concern strictly ensures that the price for each echo sounder is as attractive as possible for the client. It is worth noting that Lowrance’s overall range is now quite large and includes hundreds of products for amateur and professional fishing. But it will be quite simple for a simple fisherman to choose and buy an echo sounder, since at the moment there are a dozen of the most popular models presented in different price segments.
To make it easier for a fisherman to choose the most optimal option, you should briefly study the features of each such echo sounder. In some situations, this will help save money that could be wasted on features that will not be used in practice. On the other hand, often an extra “couple of rubles” can allow you to buy a more useful device, rather than buy an echo sounder, which will then simply gather dust in the far corner.
Lowrance X-4 fish finder
It's worth starting to consider the range with Lowrance X-4. This is a fish finder whose price makes it the most attractive among budget models. This state of affairs is easily explained, because the average cost of a device is about 6 thousand rubles. What can such a device offer? Having studied the following main technical parameters, it becomes clear that if you decide to buy a Lowrance echo sounder in the budget segment, you can get quite a lot in return.
First of all, it should be noted that this model is very compact, and the display diagonal is just over 10 cm. At the same time, the resolution of 240 by 160 and 4 shades of gray make it easy to read all incoming information. The built-in backlight, which comes to the rescue in poor visibility conditions, also serves the same purpose.
Despite the fact that the price of an echo sounder is so low, its single built-in beam has a strong enough signal that allows it to penetrate the water column to almost 200 meters. This makes it possible to use the device not only on shallow rivers and reservoirs, but also at sea, and the device accurately tracks the bottom line even at high speeds.
Like all Lowrance echo sounders, this device received proprietary software and functions that are important in studying the structure of the bottom and finding fish, such as:
- FishTrack;
- FishSymbol;
- ASP;
- GRAYLINE et al.
Additional usefulness of the device is provided by: a water temperature sensor, saving user settings, automatically increasing the bottom areas, and the like. If you remember the price of an echo sounder, such a wide range of functions will seem like a real gift. All these functions are also found in expensive models, where their list is usually expanded through the introduction of various additional options.
If you ask what reviews fishermen leave about these echo sounders, you will most often find comments of the following nature:
“I decided a long time ago that I would definitely buy an echo sounder! But which one... Here I had to do a little searching on the Internet, where, based on my budget, I selected two optimal options - Lowrance X-4 and Humminbird PiranhaMAX 160. But how to make a choice? First I went on YouTube and after watching several videos and an hour, I leaned toward Lorik. I went to pick him up at Ptichka, where at the same time I looked at both devices live, checking them for picture quality, and at the same time requesting advice from the seller. In the end, I took the Lowrance X-4, since its picture quality is much better, the seller also recommended it, and the “Piranha” turned out to be “gray” with crooked firmware.”
Lowrance Mark-5x
The next model under consideration is the Lowrance Mark-5x. As evidenced by reviews of the echo sounders used in our country, the “fifth” Mark is a very, very common model. Its cost in the vast Russian Federation ranges from 10-12 thousand rubles. What should make a fisherman buy an echo sounder, which is on average 5 thousand rubles more expensive than the previous model - X-4.
First, you need to pay attention to the increased size of the device, the width and height, which are almost 14 and 18 cm, respectively. The diagonal length of the screen is almost 13 cm. The larger display provides more convenience when reading data transmitted, by the way, more powerful than that model X-4, beam. The latter easily transmits information about the topography and bottom density (gray line function) at depths of up to 250 meters.
All information is displayed on a black-and-white monitor with a resolution of 480 by 480 pixels and providing high display accuracy through the use of Super Twist technology and 16 shades of gray. Continuing the topic of ease of use when displaying data, you need to draw the attention of those who decide to buy a Mark-5x echo sounder that the screen can be divided into functional zones where certain parameters will be displayed.
The functionality of the device has also increased significantly, making the Mark-5x model stand out from what other fishing echo sounders offer. In particular, the device now shows the real reflected signal in arcs, makes it easier to identify fish due to the Fish Reveal option and contains a lot of other useful functions. In addition, due to the proprietary Hyper Scroll technology used, you no longer have to worry about “gaps” in the bottom pattern on the display even at very high speeds, since instant screen refresh guarantees the best display of signal data.
So, compared to the Lowrance X-4, the Mark-5x is a more “mature” device, which has a more powerful processor and signal, an expanded number of useful functions, a larger screen and significantly improved image quality. Accordingly, the question of why the price for this echo sounder is formed in such a way, the price of which seems to be greatly underestimated, if we also take into account the “stuffing”.
Perhaps before you take the Mark 5x, it will be useful to study reviews about these echo sounders, one of which is given below:
“...at first I thought that I would buy an inexpensive echo sounder and it would be enough for me. I started studying what they offered in stores and realized that if I add another thousand rubles to my initial budget of 5 thousand, then I can get better, and if I have another thousand, then, accordingly, the devices are much more interesting... In short, I stopped already at around 11300. So, I warn you – it’s a gamble, choosing echo sounders for fishing. I can talk about the device itself for a long time and fascinatingly, since the model is simply amazing. The bottom is drawn in such a way that it’s a feast for the eyes, the screen backlight is normal white, and not “rotten” yellow, as on some. This is the second year I’ve been using it, and I can’t get enough of it, it’s a wonderful “echo.” If anyone is interested in anything specifically, please ask. I’ll be happy to answer.”
Lowrance Mark-5x Portable
The modified Mark-5x model with the Portable prefix is a device already discussed in detail above, but with small and extremely useful changes. Due to their introduction, the cost at which you can buy an echo sounder has increased significantly.
What is the reason for this pricing and what are the differences between the Lowrance Mark-5x and Mark-5x Portable? First of all, if you look at the package contents of the device, you will notice that the manufacturer allows you to buy an echo sounder along with:
- special waterproof cover;
- wide stable stand;
- new mount for the clamp.
All this increases ease of use many times over, but still does not explain the large gap in price. Therefore, you should turn to the technical part, where there are a couple of important points that emerged as a result of refinement of the device.
1. Operation settings have changed significantly, their list has increased, allowing you to adjust the device, making it more functional. This allows you to more effectively use the Mark-5x, which is familiar to many, taking into account specific fishing conditions. Therefore, the opportunity to buy an echo sounder with a Portable attachment will undoubtedly be appreciated by fishing professionals.
2. In addition, when comparing fish finders, reviews of the Portable version show significantly increased accuracy in terms of automatically finding fish. Indeed, this information is confirmed by the manufacturer, although it is not included in the description of the device. This once again indicates that the device is intended to be purchased by those fishermen who professionally use echo sounders for fishing in large expanses of water.
Comment from one of the owners: “I used to think that I would save some money and immediately buy an echo sounder. In reality, everything turned out to be not so simple. If there were three of them, there would be no problems with the choice, but otherwise... As a result, I listened to the seller, who recommended the Mark-5x Portable to me.
I took the echo sounder and could hardly wait for the weekend to try it out. The seller warned me not to mess with the settings, but, of course, I didn’t listen to him. What saved me was the ability to set automatic sensitivity. True, then, after digging around a little, I still tried all the menu items, different functions, etc. According to first impressions, the device is super! Accurately determines the depth and nature of the bottom, and even... fish!
Once I even saw an interesting picture - three predators were chasing a flock of small fry. For those interested, I tested the following settings in shallow water:
- brightness 10;
- contrast 5;
- noise reduction is average (gray bar at 29%);
- auto sensitivity 20%.
In operation, the Mark-5x Portable immediately showed that the money was well spent. The last time, for example, we caught it on the Dnieper, and at speed we noticed an attractive edge. We turned the boat around, approached and immediately pulled out a pike on a wobbler (3.1 kg)! A couple more runs and the trophy again. In general, Lowrance and Mark-5x Portable fish finders in particular are excellent!”
Lowrance Mark-5x Pro
In addition, when deciding to buy a Mark-5x echo sounder, you should take into account that it has a “twin brother”. We are talking about the Lowrance Mark-5x Pro model. What is different about the model with the Pro prefix? First of all, its cost. The price for this echo sounder is higher and is about 12-13 thousand rubles. Thus, there is a difference of 1-2 thousand rubles, which Lowrance offers to pay extra for the second beam! Thanks to this, Mark-5x Pro is a representative of the class of dual-beam echo sounders. Due to this design feature, the scanning angle increases from 60 degrees to 120 degrees.
It is worth noting that the presence of the second beam divided the owners of the Mark-5x and the Pro model into two camps. If you read reviews about these echo sounders on fishing forums, you can see that some fishermen consider the presence of a second beam a huge advantage, while the other half do not even turn it on.
Accordingly, before deciding which echo sounder to buy, choosing from these two, you need to find out how important the presence of the second beam will be during practical use, since there is a great opportunity to overpay for an unnecessary function, or, conversely, to save a small amount first, and then repent.
The Mark-5x Pro series was no exception in the nature of the comments that fishermen generously bestow on Lowrance products, and only positive reviews can be found about these echo sounders. Here's one of them.
“The decision to purchase an echo for fishing has been brewing for a long time. But it’s easy to say, I’ll buy an echo sounder, but try to buy one so you don’t regret it later. In short, after reading everything I could, at the same time listening to 1000 and 1 advice, I still ordered Mark-5x Pro.
I received it about a month ago and already had the opportunity to make sure that I made the right choice. And nowhere have I seen such a 2-beam echo sounder, the price for it was so low. I really liked that the signals transmitted by the beams are displayed in 2 separate “windows” on the monitor. It recognizes fish perfectly, the only thing is that now in winter it has one weak point: if you keep it in the cold for a long time, the display becomes dark. That’s why I periodically hide it under my jacket to warm it up. I’m sure that with the arrival of spring I won’t even remember about this “minus”. What else can I say, I tried the flasher - an excellent mode. It happens that the monitor is empty, and when you use the flasher, you can see flickering in the bottom area. You lower the rod and voila! Fish on a hook! In general, the device is simply magnificent, I would recommend it to everyone!”
Lowrance Mark-4
When looking at Lowrance fishing echo sounders and encountering the Mark-4 model there, it may at first seem that some kind of error has crept into the price of this model. The fact is that the device looks like a regular X-4, but they sell it for an average of 13-14 thousand rubles. What is the reason that the price of a fish finder is set so high?
If you pay attention to the external parameters, you will have to admit that the Mark-4 is still not much different from the X-4. In fact, it is even more compact, since the body has a smaller width and, as a result, a narrower screen, the diagonal of which is almost 9 cm. The monitor of the model does not differ in any special characteristics - it is still the same black and white TFT display with a resolution of 240 by 320 pixels. Thus, external characteristics do not allow us to judge why the price of an echo sounder is so high, which means we need to move on to the electronic component. Studying the functionality of the device prepares several surprises at once.
1. The Lowrance Mark-4 model is included in the subclass “Dual Beam Fishing Finders.” In itself, this is not yet so surprising, because the Mark-5x Pro model, which also operates two signals - 83 and 200 kHz, has already been reviewed. But, on the other hand, this already partly explains why the price for an echo sounder is formed in this way. But the following difference answers this question entirely.
2. The popular Lowrance Mark-4 also belongs to the subtype “Fishing sounders with GPS.” So now, thanks to the built-in 16-channel antenna, you can easily record key route points.
It is worth noting that the built-in memory allows you to remember about 3 thousand points and a hundred routes. In addition to this, a specially designed Track Back option allows you to scroll back your movement history at any time and find out the coordinates of all visited areas. Thus, an echo sounder that is sold almost for free, its price is much lower than its direct competitors that can provide the same functions, is also a chartplotter.
True, the kit does not include any cards or even a flash drive. All this will need to be purchased separately, but the advantages that this model provides at such a cost make it possible not to notice such trifles.
After describing the Mark-4, you can get acquainted with the opinions of fishermen about echo sounders; reviews often allow you to find out some nuances that the manufacturer is in no hurry to share. True, it is almost impossible to find negative comments about Lowrance products, which apparently explains why this brand is so widespread.
Here, for example, is a typical comment about the Mark-4: “...I decided that I would buy an echo sounder as a gift for my brother. He is an avid fisherman, and he often takes me along with him. I came to the store and, after a difficult, painful selection process, purchased a Lowrance Mark-4 as a gift. You should have seen the reaction when I gave it to him! But I won't get distracted. Since then I have seen more than once the advantages this model provides. There are useful functions in it, just a whole bunch. This device is both an excellent fish finder and a fully equipped chartplotter. With it you will find fish and mark good places...”
Lowrance Mark-5x DSI fish finder
The next model, which sells for an average of 15 thousand rubles, is Mark-5x DSI. As its name suggests, its key parameter is the DSI function. If we decipher and translate this abbreviation into Russian, it turns out that these three letters hide a unique bottom scanning technology. Thanks to this “know-how”, not a single fish hiding at the bottom will be hidden from the fisherman, and given the price set for the echo sounder, no one will doubt the usefulness of such a device.
In all other respects, this model is similar to other Lowrance echo sounders of the Mark-5x series - the same screen, the same external and internal technical parameters, with the exception, of course, of the emitter itself, which also effectively copes with finding and accurately identifying the thermocline that forms the favorite fish between warm and cold water layers. If you ask how such echo sounders perform in practice, reviews will unanimously show that the Mark-5x DSI greatly facilitates the search for fish, significantly increasing the volume of catch brought home. Here, in particular, is one such comment.
“I had a Lowrance, but I accidentally sank it. Therefore, when the question arose of choosing a new device for studying the bottom, I already knew in advance that I would buy a Lowrance echo sounder again, and then the Mark-5x with the DSI function appeared. I've been using it for over a year now and I can't say anything bad. Detailing at the highest level! Finding fish with him is a real pleasure! The gray screen is more of a plus than a minus. The only thing I would not recommend such a device to is those who like to drive at speed, since the advantages of DSI appear precisely when driving slowly. In short, for me, the Lowrance Mark-5x DSI is the ideal option, and if you look at its low cost, it seems to me that there will simply be no replacement for such an inexpensive and functional option.”
Lowrance Elite-4x
This model is the first representative of the Elite series, the distinctive feature of which is a bright color screen. It is much easier to navigate what is happening in the water column than with screens that use only shades of gray. In addition, the display, despite its modest parameters (just under 9 cm), has a good resolution - 240 by 320 pixels. In addition, this model has a second beam, and the overall scanner signal power has increased. Otherwise, the technical parameters of this device are already well known from the Lowrance X-4. In fact, this is exactly the same echo sounder, the price of which is higher due to improved functionality.
So, who wants to buy an echo sounder of compact dimensions and with two powerful scanning beams that transmit accurate information about the relief and nature of the bottom, as well as a convenient color (256 shades) screen and a very affordable price (about 12 thousand rubles), then Lowrance Elite- 4x would be the best choice.
The developers have provided it with other useful little things. For example, when installing the device on a boat, owners will appreciate the convenience of mounting with the ability to adjust the angle of inclination, which allows the best placement of the device on a clear sunny day, when the sun's rays shine directly on the display and usually significantly reduce the information content of the latter.
You can't go wrong with the patented Advanced Signal Processing feature, which in itself can be a good motivation to buy an Elite-4x fish finder. Its presence guarantees maximum usefulness of the device when searching for fish, accurately recognizing it and determining the structure of the bottom, which increases the efficiency of fishing. And to make sure of the usefulness of the Elite-4x, we read what reviews say about these echo sounders.
“I hasten to disappoint those who think that choosing an echo sounder is a simple matter, and if only they had the money. It's not easy at all. The abundance of what is now on the market is simply mind-boggling. I spent a lot of time myself until I came across Elite-4x. It should be noted that I immediately liked it, and I thought: “Perhaps this is the echo sounder I’ll buy.” But I’m not used to hasty decisions, and one circumstance bothered me, namely the small display. Although, after watching the video shot with this device, the last doubts disappeared, and I ordered this echo sounder for myself. When fishing, it proved to be simply excellent, the beam paints the bottom with a solid “A”, although the screen is not large, the picture quality is above all praise, the detailing and identification of fish is of the highest level. After almost a year of use, I haven’t found a single flaw - it’s simple, convenient and reliable. Well, what else do you want?
Lowrance Elite-4
The Lowrance Elite-4 differs from the previous model by the presence of a 16-channel GPS receiver. As with the Mark 4-x, neither memory cards nor geographic cards are included. Therefore, to the average price for this device, which is 18-19 thousand rubles, it is necessary to add the cost of a MicroSD flash drive.
Separately, it is worth paying attention to the security of the device, which, in addition to traditional compliance with the international IPX7 standard, also has waterproof slots for memory cards. Accordingly, the need to worry about the performance of the electronic device in the conditions in which fishing often takes place is significantly reduced. It is partly thanks to this attention to the “little things” that Lowrance echo sounders have received widespread recognition and sincere gratitude from customers.
Accordingly, buying a Lowrance Elite-4 echo sounder will be very useful for those fishermen who need to quickly scan large areas of water areas in order to then select the most suitable one for fishing. The processor and memory of the device allow you to draw an accurate bottom line, without breaks, saving data about a large number of routes (about 100) and waypoints (up to 3 thousand).
Well, where would we be without the opinion of fishermen who share their impressions about echo sounders, leaving reviews on forums on the Internet: “When I read about the usefulness of the echo sounder, I thought that as soon as I bought an echo sounder, all the fish would be mine at once. In reality, it turned out to be not so simple, but oh well. He was naive. From what we offer, I took Elite-4 and I’ll admit right away that I had no reason to regret my decision. An extremely convenient and functional device, and considering that I fish at sea, the chartplotter option is simply vital for me. Regarding use, I can say that the device is extremely easy to use, the menu is well translated into Russian, everything is logical and understandable, you don’t even have to look at the instructions. The device itself is not fancy, I didn’t notice any “glitches”, there are a lot of “useful things” in it, so... I definitely recommend purchasing it!”
Lowrance Elite-4 DSI
The name of the model, or rather, the presence of the DSI prefix, indicates the main structural difference between the Elite-4 DSI and the “regular” Elite-4. We are, of course, talking about the technology of bottom or, as they also say, bottom scanning. For a more expensive echo sounder, the average price is set at 22 thousand rubles. That is, approximately 2 thousand rubles. more expensive than they will ask for Elite-4.
Is it worth overpaying 2 thousand to buy an echo sounder that allows you to easily determine all bottom objects and thermocline zones? Each fisherman must decide for himself. If you turn to the experience of fishermen directly for help, you can see that when discussing echo sounders, reviews about increased efficiency of use are more often found in the Elite-4 DSI model.
Apart from the special Lowrance Skimmer® DSI driver, there are no other differences between the models. The Elite-4 DSI is the same size device, demonstrating all the advantages that Lowrance Elite-4 series fish finders provide:
– GPS antenna;
– color screen;
– modest dimensions;
– a large set of branded options.
To find out what the fishermen themselves think, traditionally, we read reviews about echo sounders: “... yes, of course, fishing is addictive. At first you think - I’ll buy a fishing rod and that’s it... Aha! Then - here’s a boat and that’s it... And then, I’ll buy an echo sounder and stop. Even after buying everything, you don’t stop, you start looking for something better, more expensive and it goes in circles.
Well, okay, it’s unlikely that this warning will save anyone here on the forum. Now on topic. I have already been on several fishing trips with the Elite-4 DSI and the device amazed me with its highest accuracy. I once read somewhere that with the help of DSI you can count all the fish one by one. I didn’t believe it then, but now I’m ready to confirm that it’s really true!
Regarding depth, I was also amazed by the accuracy of fixation in shallow water; it works clearly already from 35 cm. It is also necessary to note the behavior of the device when the depth changes. Cheaper models usually simply cut off the picture with the old indicator, but the Elite-4 DSI is not like that, everything happens smoothly, the bottom is not interrupted, since the picture is automatically scaled so that everything looks natural.
In general, I am very pleased with the echo sounder, the screen is very informative (despite the fact that many consider it small), I chose the “on a white background” setting for myself. With it, everything is clearly visible even when direct sunlight hits the screen on a nice clear day.”
Lowrance Elite-5x DSI
As with the previous model, the average cost of 24-25 thousand rubles for the Elite-5x DSI model is explained by the presence of a special Skimmer. All information transmitted from it about the nature of the relief, bottom objects, as well as temperature zones that are important for the fisherman, where fish like to hide, is displayed on a large screen with a diagonal of almost 13 cm and a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels. SolarMax display technology (256 shades) allows you to accurately display everything that the powerful scanner beam conveys.
Thus, despite the fact that the price set for the fish finder does not allow it to fall into the segment of cheap models, the money spent on its purchase will be a useful investment, since the large set of useful functions that Lowrance fish finders are famous for, as well as the use of DSI, will allow you to fishing with the greatest comfort, enjoying both the process itself and its result.
To prove this, we read reviews from Lowrance owners about echo sounders: “I got the Elite-5x DSI model - what a thing! I myself did not dare to buy it for a long time; I had to allocate money from the family budget, but I was not sure that this was a super useful device and not some kind of toy. He kept telling his wife: “I’ll save some money and buy an echo sounder. But, apparently, she was tired of my doubts and torment, and she gave it to me for my birthday. You can imagine how much joy there was...
In fact, in use: it draws the bottom and holes perfectly, it functions reliably and without failures at different speeds. It shows fish, you just need to guess that it is a fish, otherwise it is often unclear, but, in principle, who needs this? They say that it displays it in some different colors... I don’t know, I haven’t figured it out yet. As soon as I find out, I’ll write back immediately, but in general – a practical, reliable and multifunctional device! Definitely take it!”
Flaws
Unfortunately, the Elite-3x color fish finder from Lowrance is not without serious drawbacks. Firstly, there are no numbers for determining the depth, which sometimes confuses not only beginners, but also experienced fisherman. Instead, 3 lines appear on the screen, so the depth has to be calculated in your head.
The second problem occurs at depths greater than 30 meters if the device operates in automatic mode. It consists in the fact that the bottom image is stretched to half the screen. The only way to fix it is to switch to manual mode and set the actual depth as the maximum.
Best models
Here we look at the three best models of each brand in terms of price/quality ratio. We will divide them into inexpensive, best value and premium.
Inexpensive: Striker Plus 4cv
The Striker Plus 4cv is the smallest model, but it has CHIRP sonar capabilities and ClearVu imaging, which is similar to downscanning. It's incredibly small with a 3.5-inch screen, but the brightness and clarity are surprisingly good. You also get Quickdraw Contours to create your own maps. Overall, this is an ideal solution for infrequent fishing trips if you need a functional fish finder with GPS.
Inexpensive: Hook2-4x GPS
A small 4-inch display, ease of use, and automated settings are the main advantages of this model. You get a broadband echo sounder with a maximum scanning depth of up to 150 meters. Suitable for use in both summer and winter. Having accurate GPS allows you to save waypoints and view your path.
Inexpensive: Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G2
As stated above, Humminbird does not have the largest number of devices in the low-cost segment. This brand is more expensive than others, but this is compensated by its quality and functionality. This 5-inch fish finder has onboard support for downscanning, CHIRP. And also amazingly accurate GPS and chartplotter functions.
Best price: Striker Plus 7cv
When serious fishermen talk about Garmin in general, you'll notice that they mention the Plus 7sv most often. This model offers a lot of features, a stunning 7-inch screen with excellent resolution and a simple interface. You can choose between side images, ClearVu and CHIRP sonar, or view everything on the screen at once. GPS is perfectly accurate. There is even access to WiFi for updating maps.
Best Value: Elite 7-Ti
The Elite Ti line is one of Lowrance's best because it offers tons of technical power at a mid-tier price. Elite 7-Ti is the optimal product in this series, there are larger ones, but they all have the same functionality. With this device you will get side image, CHIRP, bottom scan, WiFi and BlueTooth connectivity. As well as slots for microSD cards, many mapping programs and much more. This is the optimal solution at a reasonable price.
Best Price: Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2N
The Helix 7 has side scan, down scan, CHIRP, GPS, and a chartplotter. The device itself has a very easy to use interface. It also has networking capabilities, 3D scanning support, SmartStrike for predicting fish locations, and Ethernet network access.
Premium: EchoMAP Plus 92sv
Similar to the Striker Plus 7sv, you get a combination of SideVu, ClearVu and CHIRP. CHIRP can be used in conjunction with SideVu to produce higher quality images. And the huge 9-inch screen, in turn, provides excellent resolution. The only significant difference is the presence of cartography pre-loaded into the echo sounder.
Premium: HDS 7 Carbon
The HDS series is one of the best in the world, and it's one of Lowrance's best offerings. Thanks to the 7-inch screen, with the best performance in terms of brightness and color reproduction, you will get all possible types of echolocation that are available on the market. For example, such as StructureScan, DownScan, StructureScan 3D, SpotlightScan. In addition, the ability to connect an autopilot, radar, and cartography support. It is worth adding to the above that you will be able to create your own maps, as well as much more.
Specifications Lowrance Elite-3x
- Housing location: stationary
- Transducer included: yes
- Transducer mount: transom
- Screen type: color Screen diagonal: 3.5 inches
- Number of beams: 2
- Total radiation angle: 0 to 60 degrees
- Scanning depth (max): from 1 to 244 meters
- Side radiation: no data
- Output power, peak: 0 to 180 W
- Fish size/depth detection: yes
- GPS module: no
- Temperature sensor: yes
- Speed sensor: optional
- Waterproof housing: yes
- Battery/rechargeable power: no
- Power supply connection (12 V): yes
General characteristics
At the highest level, all of these brands offer almost the same features. You can get CHIRP, a traditional fish finder, downward scanning, side scanning, a touch display, the ability to connect additional equipment, GPS with map support, and so on. But let's take a closer look at what each brand offers.
Garmin is the easiest to figure out since they have the fewest series . You can choose devices from 4 to 9 inches. The 4" and 5" devices only offer CHIRP and ClearVu (down scan). The 7-inch and 9-inch models, in turn, also offer SideVu (side scanning). The GPS in Garmin devices is incredibly accurate and you can easily draw your own maps. However, when it comes to maps, the models do not support C-Map and Navionics nautical cartography compared to competitors. You can create and rely on waypoints to create your own routes. And also move along a track that is registered automatically, which allows you to navigate in unknown areas.
Lowrance has many features . Their products range from small 4-inch units to huge 16-inch units. You get all sorts of features depending on the size and model. Generally, the entry-level series with small screens have bottom scanning and CHIRP, while larger and more advanced devices come with side imaging and other features. The initial Hook2 series has push-button controls, but the older series have high-resolution and brightness touch displays. You may notice that most of the functionality is present in models with a diagonal of 7 inches or more. Larger models have the same functionality, only with a larger screen.
Humminbird have many products smaller than 5 inches, most units are 7 inches. While there are a few bottom-scan only devices, the vast majority offer side-scanning and other advanced features to users. Their oldest model has a 15-inch screen, with WiFi, Ethernet and much more. The detail of the fish finder is amazing, you can easily see vegetation, bottom structure, objects and everything else around your boat.
But just comparing functionality is not enough. To clearly understand the picture, a price/quality comparison is necessary. What are we going to do now?
The lineup
The line includes several variants of models, differing in technical characteristics, functionality, and purpose. The devices have software that allows them to be used on Androids, smartphones, tablets without connecting to a cellular network and provides free access to information about fishing spots and its storage. Echo sounders have applications for data exchange and a mode for working at a depth of more than half a meter. They can be charged from a regular 220 V network or from a car battery and create maps of the bottom relief of a reservoir.
Lowrance FishHunter 3D Model
Lowrance FishHunter 3D echo sounders demonstrate bottom contours, underwater thickets, and schools of fish in three dimensions. They can be used for shore and ice fishing, and fishing from a small boat. The devices are equipped with five three-frequency sensors and are designed as a non-sinking float.
Echo sounders can operate effectively in winter mode with a targeted search for fish under ice. They are suitable for trolling at speeds of up to 4.5 kilometers per hour and are capable of creating color maps of selected areas of water. The devices have a built-in indicator that ensures good visibility of the image on the screen at night. They have the following parameters:
• Weight 185 grams;
• Operating temperature range from –25° to +35°;
• Maximum depth 50 meters;
• Beam power 300 W.
Lowrance FishHunter™ Directional 3D Model
Lowrance FishHunter™ Directional 3D fish finders are designed for shore and ice fishing. These are very powerful devices that instantly detect fish and can emit up to twelve pulses of ultrasound per second. The devices can be thrown from the boat and towed on it.
Models are capable of:
• Measure water temperature;
• Mark the location of the fish and give a signal about it;
• Control the depth of the reservoir.
Echo sounders perform the functions of directional echolocation, detailed bottom examination, have night illumination, five three-frequency transducers, and a flasher for fishing under ice. The devices show in detail the place where the fish are located and have the following parameters:
• Maximum depth 60 meters;
• Radiation radius of Wi-Fi signals is 60 meters;
• Maximum power 300 W;
• Operating temperature range from -30°С to +35°С;
• Weight 180 grams.
Model Lowrance FishHunter PRO
Lowrance FishHunter Pro echo sounders are professional models that provide a very clear image of the bottom topography and underwater objects. They can be used for coastal and winter fishing, fishing from a boat, trolling, and have a ball shape that is convenient for the hole. The devices are capable of transmitting a signal to portable devices from a distance of 160 meters. They are equipped with built-in sensors, night lighting, a 5-meter cable, and when connected to a phone, they allow calls and messages to pass through. The models have the following parameters:
• Weight 155 grams;
• Beam power 300 W;
• Operating temperature range from - 30°C to +35°C;
• Maximum depth 50 meters.
About the production of echo sounders
Fish Hunter models are produced by the famous American company Lowrance, which is a world leader in the field of marine and river electronics. The manufacturer tries to adhere to affordable prices and constantly introduces new developments. Its products are in great demand in many countries and undergo several stages of testing. The FishHunter line has become revolutionary in the wireless echo sounder market. The devices are created using modern equipment and are distinguished by high quality and ease of use.
How to use a fish finder
Initially, echo sounders have automatic adjustment of settings, which allows you to immediately test the device in action and not waste time on settings. The image is oriented horizontally. A colorful and bright screen, it allows the fisherman to see the image on the displays in sunlight from the most inconvenient angles. The backlight can be adjusted to 11 different modes, allowing you to choose the optimal brightness. Using an echo sounder does not require any special skills, you just need to turn it on, and then it does the work itself.
Basic features of echo sounders
The main features of Lowrance FishHunter echo sounders are:
• Directional echolocation;
• Ability to create a map of the bottom and its contours;
• Customizable for shallow water fishing.
For directional echolocation, you need to touch the transducer circle, select the FishHunter function in the Wi-Fi settings, launch the device and throw it into the water (directional casting). Red circles that appear on the screen mean that there are fish at the casting point. The numbers in these circles show the depth at which it is located.
To create a bottom map, you need to use a fishing rod to move the echo sounder in the water, first clicking on the “Bottom Map” icon. The color scale will show differences in depth in the relief. The phone's GPS is responsible for constructing the map. It will remain in the device’s memory in color.
To fish in shallow water, you need to select the three-frequency radiation mode for depths up to half a meter in the FishHunter™ application, go to the “Sonar” section, turn on the echo sounder and lower it into the water. After this, in the “Depth Intervals” menu, find the “Shallow Water” section, select the radiation power and viewing mode. After this, the device will begin searching for fish.
