Transucer Question
 

I need some help from you FF savvy guys. I bought a pa14 that has a Lowrance Mark 4; if I upgraded to a 4x or 5x dual imaging HDI model, would I need to swap out the transducer...assuming the Mark 4/transducer was a matched pair at the time of install? Thanks!

I went from an Elite 4 to an Elite 5 HDI and had to swap out the transducer. They are different, but offer a great image.

get a 50/200 transducer if you're ocean fishing and just buy an hds5 already

Much appreciated, thanks guys!

Good info here

why would you choose a hds5 over a 5 elite hdi? thanks for your input

There are two different transducer options with the Lowrance Elite sonar units, the 83/200 and 50/200. The 50/200 will provide a better picture but cost quite a bit more. When you buy the Elite you will find that you can buy them in many configurations.

Elite and no transducer
Elite and 83/200 transducer
Elite and 50/200 transducer
Elite and transducer with Nav Gold charts included for lakes
Elite and transducer with Nav Gold charts included for ocean

Be sure you know what you are getting when you make the purchase as the same Elite HDI will have different prices based on what is actually included in the box.

HDS provides better picture though now there is also CHIRP provided with the Elite 5 and Elite 7 HDI models to further muddy the waters. CHIRP is supposed to provide the best possible picture and usually is found in units costing more than twice as much. I have found it difficult to find testing showing a discernible improvement with the Elite units with CHIRP.

This is news to me. Can you explain what you mean by better picture?

Thanks