Opinions on HDS 5 & 7 Gen 2 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

troutking · 02-02-2015, 05:58 PM

I was forced to sell my PA 12 over the summer due to financial hardships, but am back in the game and picked up a used PA 12 from Craigslist last week. The kayak came with an Elite 4x hdi, but I'm hoping to upgrade to a HDS in the near future. I know I will be happy with a HDS 5 or 7, but I'm looking for opinions from current owners. Is it worth the extra $200 to get the bigger screen? All help is appreciated!

YakDout · 02-02-2015, 06:01 PM

HDS 5 is good for me on PA14. But I have it mounted on gunwale. I can see how it might be helpful to have the bigger screen if forward mounted.

T-Rex · 02-02-2015, 07:56 PM

I have an HDS 5 and wish I had spent a couple hundred more to get the 7.

Bert Vega · 02-02-2015, 08:20 PM

Get the 7 you will be happier

Cadillyak · 02-02-2015, 09:33 PM

I have the 5. Bigger is better.

momo fish · 02-02-2015, 10:01 PM

WM will have the 5 on sale for 350 this month if you wait a little.

Saw another great deal on BPS for the elite 7 HDI for 450 or the elite 4 HDI for only 199!! Great units and much better than the older elite and DSI units they replaced.

Lipripper92592 · 02-03-2015, 08:26 AM

Get the 7". My first FF was a five, second was a five, third is now a 7". What a difference. Split screen with the 7" still has great resolution, while with the five it gets pretty tight in there.

TJones · 02-03-2015, 02:44 PM

Take your pick .pm if interested in either one . Slightly used . One has a Gear guard warranty .

alanw · 02-03-2015, 03:05 PM

Where you plan on mounting it makes all the difference.. a 7 by your feet is not any better than a 5 by your knees.

troutking · 02-03-2015, 08:40 PM

Looks like the decision will be easy! Gonna spend the extra money and get a 7. Appreciate all the feedback!

02-02-2015, 05:58 PM	#1
troutking Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Escondido, Ca Posts: 102	Opinions on HDS 5 & 7 Gen 2 I was forced to sell my PA 12 over the summer due to financial hardships, but am back in the game and picked up a used PA 12 from Craigslist last week. The kayak came with an Elite 4x hdi, but I'm hoping to upgrade to a HDS in the near future. I know I will be happy with a HDS 5 or 7, but I'm looking for opinions from current owners. Is it worth the extra $200 to get the bigger screen? All help is appreciated!

02-02-2015, 06:01 PM	#2
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	HDS 5 is good for me on PA14. But I have it mounted on gunwale. I can see how it might be helpful to have the bigger screen if forward mounted. Last edited by YakDout; 02-02-2015 at 06:03 PM. Reason: typo

02-02-2015, 07:56 PM	#3
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	I have an HDS 5 and wish I had spent a couple hundred more to get the 7. __________________

02-02-2015, 08:20 PM	#4
Bert Vega Tail Chaser! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Murrieta Posts: 627	Get the 7 you will be happier __________________ I hate seals!!!

02-02-2015, 09:33 PM	#5
Cadillyak Team Get $$ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 841	I have the 5. Bigger is better. __________________ The "Y" is silent 2012 Olive PA 12 2011 Papaya Outback

02-02-2015, 10:01 PM	#6
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	WM will have the 5 on sale for 350 this month if you wait a little. Saw another great deal on BPS for the elite 7 HDI for 450 or the elite 4 HDI for only 199!! Great units and much better than the older elite and DSI units they replaced.

02-03-2015, 08:26 AM	#7
Lipripper92592 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 516	Get the 7". My first FF was a five, second was a five, third is now a 7". What a difference. Split screen with the 7" still has great resolution, while with the five it gets pretty tight in there.

02-03-2015, 02:44 PM	#8
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	5 or 7 Take your pick .pm if interested in either one . Slightly used . One has a Gear guard warranty .

02-03-2015, 03:05 PM	#9
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	Where you plan on mounting it makes all the difference.. a 7 by your feet is not any better than a 5 by your knees. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

02-03-2015, 08:40 PM	#10
troutking Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Escondido, Ca Posts: 102	Looks like the decision will be easy! Gonna spend the extra money and get a 7. Appreciate all the feedback!