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07-20-2010, 08:26 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 192
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Lowrance HDS-5
I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on one of these bad boys. I've never spent more than $300 on a FF/GPS but my latest Cuda 350 just bit the dust and it's time for something better. I'm so far planning on the 83/200khz basemap model which I have found for approx $615 shipped. I'll be buying from West Marine with the 2yr extended plan and price match.
If anyone has any experience with this or similar setups I'd love to hear what you think, if you would choose different options, etc. Thanks in advance! |
07-20-2010, 09:36 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bay Ho
Posts: 1,382
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I have the HDS-5 Nautic Insight 200/50 htz.
It has an excellent picture and the unit is very sensitive. It may take a little time to set it up correctly, but once it is dialed in you can see your iron, or hook at any given depth. You will be able to see Fish too. |
07-21-2010, 07:24 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Carlsbad
Posts: 591
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Yeah, get the HDS-5X designed for saltwater with the 50/200KHZ transducer. Its $50 more than the narrower scanning freshwater version. This unit does not have GPS but its $200 cheaper.
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07-21-2010, 08:48 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Orange
Posts: 207
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HDS-5x
I have been doing some research as well on getting an HDS-5x, the only thing that concerns me is this
"You will need an additional HDS unit with an SD card slot connected via the Ethernet port to update the HDS-5x. Be sure to update the HDS with the SD card slot before updating the HDS-5x." Im not sure if the updates are critical but still a pretty weak design for the customer. |
07-21-2010, 09:17 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: OC
Posts: 397
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Take a look at the Elite-5:
http://www.lowrance.us/Products/Mari...ries/Elite-51/ I recently decided on this unit and it is great. Doesn't have the HD screen but the standard screen is better than most anyway. $250 bucks less and has most if not all of the features of the HD that you would use on a yak. One-handed head removal is great for quick storing during surf launch/landing. West Marine has them online or you can have your local store order one in for pick up. |
07-22-2010, 06:34 PM | #6 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: oceanside
Posts: 880
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Quote:
My 12 volt 7 amp battery only lasted 6 hours. I upgraded to a 12 volt 12 amp battery. The longest it's been used so far is 10 hours with no problem. Just something else to think about. |
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07-23-2010, 10:06 AM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: So. Orange County
Posts: 302
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Have you guys seen this new one coming out? What are your thoughts compared to the HD versions?
http://www.bassing.co.za/bassingforu...si-5x-dsi.html |
07-23-2010, 10:17 AM | #8 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: chulajuana
Posts: 81
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I have the HDS-5 and its sweet.
Billy, do you have the Navionics Map card?? |
07-24-2010, 12:57 AM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bay Ho
Posts: 1,382
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Quote:
The unit does support the complete range of Navionics and I will probably try one to see if there is any benefit. |
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07-27-2010, 09:25 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 192
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Thanks for all the tips... I got it today, chose the 50/200khz with the Nautic Insight. I even got to test it out for a couple hours with a temporary 'ducer install. This thing is nice! The sonar is going to take me some time to figure out, but already I saw defined arches for the first time. Like night and day from my old POS. Being able to tell the difference from bottom, rocks, weeds, structure, kelp and fish is quite nice. Before it was all the same.
The mapping is nice too, quite detailed and the shaded 3d effect looks great. A couple questions for those in the know: Any recommendations for ping speed on the kayak? Also, with the 50khz sonar, I'm noticing its picking up things that the 200khz are not, and vice versa. At 60-70ft depth am I to assume the 50khz-only returns are outside the 200khz cone? And the 200khz-only returns are too weak for the 50khz to pick up? I know the depth is shallow for 50khz but trying to figure out how I might use this in split screen mode. Thanks! |
07-23-2010, 12:50 PM | #11 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,155
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Quote:
i seen this when i was shopping at lowrance website, i couldnt wait so i settled for a mark 5x pro, plus my price break was two bills. i thought the 455/800 kHz was for side scan but it's a bottom scanner. has good power but will it be any good for deep water with the high khz beam? nice FF between the hd models and mark x and comparable to the elites models in price. due out early next year $299 im ignorant when it comes to sonar
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