HDS5 gen2 vs Elite5 CHIRP... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Geno Machino · 10-19-2015, 06:28 PM

Looking for a real nice meter with a 5 inch screen. Anyone know the pros and cons of these two? If you own one or the other your input would be very welcomed!

Thx, Geno

Cadillyak · 10-19-2015, 07:20 PM

HDS all the way. Just my 2 cents. I'm

Deamon · 10-20-2015, 07:15 AM

Geno,

My perspective on the HDS...

Great unit to distinguish bait from kelp, sand from hard bottom, etc...good features include bottom lock, zoom, gps, split screen, etc...

User friendly...No, you have to read and understand the user manual. Also get someone knowledgeable to set the unit up properly and show you the ropes.

Bullet proof...No. I've turned mine in a few times for refurbished units under warranty. if/when it dies, you lose your way points unless you regularly download and save them. There's also use time lost between your unit dying and until the replacement arrives.

But I'm staying with HDS because I know it well and it works very well for me on the water...

Jim

FISH11 · 10-20-2015, 09:33 AM

I love my HDS5. It works better than any unit I have used before. I have used the Raymarine 4.7 (chirp technology) and I did not think it showed anything better, but was able to use side by side at the same time with my Lowrance Elite 4. I was able to confirm what was showing on both screen and it allowed me to find how to set the Elite 4 better. Also the Raymarine had limited choices on type of display colors and auto setting was a pain because as other have complained some times the unit would think kelp was the bottom and showed depth as 15' instead of 85'. I always have the unit off, during launches and landings in surf. If you roll and unit gets any moisture while power is on any unit can be toast in a minute.

fishja · 10-20-2015, 10:12 AM

Cmon Geno your an hds kinda guy!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lipripper92592 · 10-20-2015, 10:22 AM

The Elites processor is not of the quality of the HDS. If the unit fires up and works the first 2 times, statistics tell you that the following other 98 times it will fire right up....and will work as designed. Electronic warranties are money makers for the manufacture and store front. IF you dump your unit overboard......I'm sure there are plenty of excuses. I've had lowrance units in my hands over the years, and have had any problems with them. Buy the best you can afford, because it will be outdated the second you walk out the store.

2-Stix · 10-20-2015, 01:04 PM

i have a Lawrence HDI 5 that works great. Older style bought new, saved like $250 on it.

sculpins4bait · 10-20-2015, 01:31 PM

I have an elite 4 chirp and it kinda sucks. I keep it in auto mode and its usually pretty confused.

INGRIDSDAD · 10-20-2015, 03:08 PM

Another vote for the HDS 5. They are on sale at West Marine for $449 with the 50/200 transducer.

YakDout · 10-20-2015, 03:14 PM

HDS

Geno Machino · 10-20-2015, 03:24 PM

Thx for the replies guys!

Was pretty sure about the HDS5. Just didn't want to spend the dough if there was any doubt. Not rich you know

Anyways, looks like it will take some use to getting it dialed in, however after I do I guess I'll be dialed in!

Geno

Murray · 10-20-2015, 07:29 PM

Can someone tell me the technical diffs between the 2 units and why one is better than the othrer.

Geno Machino · 10-26-2015, 10:14 AM

Ok. Just talked to a Lowrance rep and he informed me that as previously stated by most responses on here, the. HDS series is top of the line. However the HDS5 is now discontinued. And that for a single stand alone unit (no radar, 2nd unit, side scanning sonar, etc - the Elite 5 chrip model does everything that the HDS5 will do. Same resolution, same over lay abilities, amount of way points, Bck tracking ability.

Am I missing something?

So, I'm still on the fence - which way to go. Kinda leaning towards the Elite now. $200 less and with that I can get the best chip out there. Which brings me to another question 'what chip do you guys use in your systems'?

Geno

Dirty Curti · 10-26-2015, 11:01 AM

Geno,

I just picked this one up over the weekend on ebay. Brand new in box w/transducer. They had it on the daily specials for $279.00 so I dove in. Must be at that price because they may be discontinued as you say but for that price it's worth the risk to upgrade my 4xDSI.

Here is the link but as of today it is up to $338.00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lowrance-Eli...-/171946981552

10-19-2015, 06:28 PM	#1
Geno Machino "Relax" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: O'side Posts: 553	HDS5 gen2 vs Elite5 CHIRP... Looking for a real nice meter with a 5 inch screen. Anyone know the pros and cons of these two? If you own one or the other your input would be very welcomed! Thx, Geno __________________

10-19-2015, 07:20 PM	#2
Cadillyak Team Get $$ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 841	HDS all the way. Just my 2 cents. I'm __________________ The "Y" is silent 2012 Olive PA 12 2011 Papaya Outback

10-20-2015, 09:33 AM	#4
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,642	I love my HDS5. It works better than any unit I have used before. I have used the Raymarine 4.7 (chirp technology) and I did not think it showed anything better, but was able to use side by side at the same time with my Lowrance Elite 4. I was able to confirm what was showing on both screen and it allowed me to find how to set the Elite 4 better. Also the Raymarine had limited choices on type of display colors and auto setting was a pain because as other have complained some times the unit would think kelp was the bottom and showed depth as 15' instead of 85'. I always have the unit off, during launches and landings in surf. If you roll and unit gets any moisture while power is on any unit can be toast in a minute. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

10-20-2015, 03:24 PM	#11
Geno Machino "Relax" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: O'side Posts: 553	Thx for the replies guys! Was pretty sure about the HDS5. Just didn't want to spend the dough if there was any doubt. Not rich you know Anyways, looks like it will take some use to getting it dialed in, however after I do I guess I'll be dialed in! Geno __________________

10-26-2015, 10:14 AM	#13
Geno Machino "Relax" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: O'side Posts: 553	Ok. Just talked to a Lowrance rep and he informed me that as previously stated by most responses on here, the. HDS series is top of the line. However the HDS5 is now discontinued. And that for a single stand alone unit (no radar, 2nd unit, side scanning sonar, etc - the Elite 5 chrip model does everything that the HDS5 will do. Same resolution, same over lay abilities, amount of way points, Bck tracking ability. Am I missing something? So, I'm still on the fence - which way to go. Kinda leaning towards the Elite now. $200 less and with that I can get the best chip out there. Which brings me to another question 'what chip do you guys use in your systems'? Geno __________________ Last edited by Geno Machino; 10-26-2015 at 12:36 PM.

10-20-2015, 07:15 AM	#3
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	Geno, My perspective on the HDS... Great unit to distinguish bait from kelp, sand from hard bottom, etc...good features include bottom lock, zoom, gps, split screen, etc... User friendly...No, you have to read and understand the user manual. Also get someone knowledgeable to set the unit up properly and show you the ropes. Bullet proof...No. I've turned mine in a few times for refurbished units under warranty. if/when it dies, you lose your way points unless you regularly download and save them. There's also use time lost between your unit dying and until the replacement arrives. But I'm staying with HDS because I know it well and it works very well for me on the water... Jim

10-20-2015, 10:12 AM	#5
fishja Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 155	Cmon Geno your an hds kinda guy! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-20-2015, 10:22 AM	#6
Lipripper92592 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 516	The Elites processor is not of the quality of the HDS. If the unit fires up and works the first 2 times, statistics tell you that the following other 98 times it will fire right up....and will work as designed. Electronic warranties are money makers for the manufacture and store front. IF you dump your unit overboard......I'm sure there are plenty of excuses. I've had lowrance units in my hands over the years, and have had any problems with them. Buy the best you can afford, because it will be outdated the second you walk out the store.

10-20-2015, 01:04 PM	#7
2-Stix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 376	i have a Lawrence HDI 5 that works great. Older style bought new, saved like $250 on it.

10-20-2015, 01:31 PM	#8
sculpins4bait Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: SD Posts: 104	I have an elite 4 chirp and it kinda sucks. I keep it in auto mode and its usually pretty confused.

10-20-2015, 03:08 PM	#9
INGRIDSDAD Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Riverside Posts: 108	Another vote for the HDS 5. They are on sale at West Marine for $449 with the 50/200 transducer.

10-20-2015, 03:14 PM	#10
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	HDS

10-20-2015, 07:29 PM	#12
Murray Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vista Posts: 326	Can someone tell me the technical diffs between the 2 units and why one is better than the othrer.

10-26-2015, 11:01 AM	#14
Dirty Curti Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 419	Geno, I just picked this one up over the weekend on ebay. Brand new in box w/transducer. They had it on the daily specials for $279.00 so I dove in. Must be at that price because they may be discontinued as you say but for that price it's worth the risk to upgrade my 4xDSI. Here is the link but as of today it is up to $338.00 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lowrance-Eli...-/171946981552 __________________