Fishfinder help

[Oxbeast1210]

Im trying to decide on which of the following fishfinders to get. I did some research and am more confused then ever. I'm debating between the following:

Lowrance HDS 5 or 7
and
raymarine dragonfly 5.6 or 7

I have a PA12 and will be fishing La jolla and the Bays

Tell me which one gets your vote and if there is anything I should take into consideration . Also if you have the dragonfly how do you like it?

thanks
Oscar

[tacmik]

dragon fly

[danjor]

I personally have a HDS 7 and it is great. But personlly I'd like to switch to a dragonfly 7 due to the structure scan which cost too much to add to lowrance...

[tsugg]

Dragonfly. It's like watching the fish bite your lure!!!
My lowrance freaks out in 4' of bay water covered with grass.
Dragonfly shows the fish in the grass!

[TJones]

Hds gen 3 . They are just releasing info at manufacturers website . Not available in stores yet . Lowrance products work well with the new hobies .

[danjor]

Originally Posted by TJones

Hds gen 3 . They are just releasing info at manufacturers website . Not available in stores yet . Lowrance products work well with the new hobies .

Oooo I just looked up the gen 3. I think I might sell my gen 2 and grab a gen 3 when they come out. Just where to put all 3 transducers on a pro angler 14. Guess you could do the thru hull chirp and broadband and put the big structure scan just on the bottom where the cart won't hit it. Anyone want to buy a HDS7 gen 2

[cell128]

I got a elite hdi4 in hull mount on non Lawrence ready outback.... Would it make a big difference if the ducer was In the water as far as picture clarity? I always have a hard time reading it in 150+ ft depth....anyone else experience this or should I tinker with the settings. What's a good setup for u if u have this unit?

[Bert Vega]

I love my hds 7. Went thru this same thing just a little while ago. The only flaw I see with the dragon fly. Is it has no adjustability turn on and go.

[tsugg]

Originally Posted by Bert Vega

I love my hds 7. Went thru this same thing just a little while ago. The only flaw I see with the dragon fly. Is it has no adjustability turn on and go.

I've been studing the manual and practicing on the water and you can adjust just about everything on the DragonFly if you need to. I've been zooming in to just the bottom 100'(say from 85' to the bottom 100') of water and can really get a great look a deep structure. Saw fish crusing around at 75' with a bottom depth of 110' and I can zoom just that 75' area if needed so even though it works fantastic on auto you can run the dragonfly any way you want or need.

[Oxbeast1210]

Mine came in today gonna install it later tonight. Man I'm going to love the 7 inch screen its sweet!

[Bert Vega]

Originally Posted by cell128

I got a elite hdi4 in hull mount on non Lawrence ready outback.... Would it make a big difference if the ducer was In the water as far as picture clarity? I always have a hard time reading it in 150+ ft depth....anyone else experience this or should I tinker with the settings. What's a good setup for u if u have this unit?

It will make a big difference. Had a elite 5 in the hull. Now have lowrance ready. Night and day difference between the two.

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by Bert Vega

It will make a big difference. Had a elite 5 in the hull. Now have lowrance ready. Night and day difference between the two.

I second that. Big difference. Plus temp readings help.

[cell128]

Damn...I thought I was crazy.....I might try a over the side pvc setup or through scupper hole....unless I sell the outback and upgrade to one with duxer ready mount...thanks for the tip

[octico]

I have the DragonFly 5.6 ... what a difference from my old Elite-4. I would be sitting next to folks and they would be telling the was structure underneath, I saw nothing. The DragonFly is amazing no configuration, just plug it in and go. I can see structure in 200 ft of water where before I was not able to.

[Silbaugh4liberty]

Originally Posted by octico

I have the DragonFly 5.6 ... what a difference from my old Elite-4. I would be sitting next to folks and they would be telling the was structure underneath, I saw nothing. The DragonFly is amazing no configuration, just plug it in and go. I can see structure in 200 ft of water where before I was not able to.

No wonder why you were so eager to have some wagers going on the rockfish a few months back!!! I better hurry up and upgrade before March! The x-4 is crap in Newport Canyon.

I'm jealous, take some pics as you go over the canyon in La Jolla next time Oxbeast. I want to see what it picks up.

[Oxbeast1210]

Will do! im going to try to take it out tomorrow . I dont like the joystick so far... but everything else is sweet

[tsugg]

The joystick becomes an extension of your finger once you're used to it. For pictures you'll notice in the instructions, you can take a quick screen shot of anything on the screen any time you want. Then download it to your putr.

[cell128]

Thanks guys. Gonna rig something up

[Oxbeast1210]

The GEn 3 does look sweet but out of my budget for now.

thanks for the input everyone i'm leaning towards the dragonfly 7

[cell128]

Does she have a sister?