Happy Valentine's to me!!!

[steveoh]

Hey guys,

I was going to treat myself to a new fishfinder and I wanted know everyone's thought on the Lowrance hds 5. I'm trying to figure out if I want the combo nav/fishfinder or if I should go with the hds 5x which is just the fishfinder. If anyone has first had experience with this model, your opinion would be greatly appreciated. Or if anyone has any other models worth looking into.

Thank you in advance!

Steve

[old_rookie]

Can't provide any feedback on the FF - but what confuses me is this thing about Valentines Day.... I thought this was about kayak fishing?!?!?

Welcome to the site.

[Handymansd]

For Saltwater the HDS 5 is pretty hard to beat. Compact, good resolution, Downscan, and HD. The comparable models would be the Garmin 546s, or maybe the Raymarine a50d. I have used all of these models on boats and I have to admit that the Garmin has the best waterproof and map abilities with the G2 vision card. But even though the maps are not quite a pretty the HDS 5 is geared more towards a serious sonar for the serious fisherman. The cheapest cost on any of these Combo units is $799+! So be sure this is where you really want to dump your hard earned moolah!

P.S. My Valentine's Day gift from my wife was a new HDS -5... A great way for her to dump her hard earned Moolah!
It has not improved my fishing any but... if I can just get it to find Lobsters!

[bubblehide]

IMHO gps can be exceptionally important. It has many more fishing uses than just keeping you from being lost. You can use it to mark spots, including where you catch fish at, plot drifts.... and then be able to go back and fish prime spots. Many of the new units also have a playback feature for both the gps and the FF, so you can see where you've been, what you did... and better plan future return trips, setting up on spots, drifts... Like the ff, gps is another tool in being able to catch fish; just learn how to use it so your able to make the most of it.

[steveoh]

Old Rookie...because it was Valentine's Day yesterday, I decided to treat myself to a new toy...thus 'Happy Valentines Day to me' reference. I will try and keep 'Non' fishing references out of my future post...

To everyone else, thank you for your opinion on the HDS 5. I have one other question...when I'm comparing the HDS 5 to the Elite 5 DSI, is the only difference between the 2 models the graphics for the gps? From what I'm reading on Lowrance's website, the sonar seems to be the same but the gps graphics are better on the HDS....am I missing something???

Thanks again,

Steve

[old_rookie]

Originally Posted by steveoh

Old Rookie...because it was Valentine's Day yesterday, I decided to treat myself to a new toy...thus 'Happy Valentines Day to me' reference. I will try and keep 'Non' fishing references out of my future post...

To everyone else, thank you for your opinion on the HDS 5. I have one other question...when I'm comparing the HDS 5 to the Elite 5 DSI, is the only difference between the 2 models the graphics for the gps? From what I'm reading on Lowrance's website, the sonar seems to be the same but the gps graphics are better on the HDS....am I missing something???

Thanks again,

Steve

No problem Steve - just trying to poke some fun at the day - but it didn't work. I've posted non fishing stuff here - had plumbing issues at the house (still do).

Glad you and others are out field testing fish finders and reporting back.