Lawrence Elite 4 HDI issues

I figure this is just the adjustment period, but I was was having trouble getting many of the sonar features to work.  I am wondering about either my placement or mounting.  I used the duct seal method which worked great on my previous depth finder but this one seemed to have a difficult time picking up the signal.  I may move it around and see if that makes a difference before I look at mounting it outside of the boat. Probably use a magnetic mount.

Anyone have any tips for getting it dialed in (settings etc) that help with the shoot through the hull style of mounting?

Thanks for the reminder - I've had issues with my Elite 4 HDI in two of my last three outings.  Sonar signal was not working properly - temperature was reading correctly, but depths were coming back incorrectly - sometimes reading 3 - 8 ft in known 30 - 100 ft of water.  Both times I was able to mess with settings and/or reset the unit and get accurate sonar.  Forgot that I wanted to look into it further...

Can you clarify what issues you're having with the sonar features?  I would be curious to see if others have found settings specific to in hull vs in water mounting options.  I have an older Elite 4 transducer that is duct seal mounted in my Oasis, with no issues other than inaccurate temperature reading.  My Elite 4 HDI transducer is in the Outback's transducer pocket.  I've not modified either as far as specific settings.

-Sam

It wouldn't read the depth. Often when that would happen with my other set up I would need to put more water in the well. I did that, and still no love.  Just seemed like it was not getting signal through the hull???  I eventually messed around with all sorts of options trying to get it dialed in.  I think I ended up with the transducer on 200khz, and started getting a consistent signal.  I suspect it is all due to the through hull application.  I may have to go get a suction cup and mount it on one of the sides and see what happens. 

GPS was sweet  and I liked the color, but of course need to get it dialed in.  Silly to have a unit that will do all sorts of things and then be limited because of how I mount the transducer.

Seriously sounds like the issue that I've run into.  My transducer is in the Outback's transducer pocket - in the water. 

Note... I just found that Lowrance has an update for the firmware from last summer.  I'm going to install to see if I still see the same issue.  http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Software-Updates/Elite-40/

-Sam

how do you update the firmware?

You'll need to download the software "Elite-4 HDI/CHIRP software update (version 4.0 - 5.1.13)" from here: http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Software-Updates/Elite-40/.

Then follow instructions here:  http://www.lowrance.com/Global/Lowrance/Documents/Software/Lowrance_Legacy_Product_Update_Instructions.pdf

Note that I used a separate 2GB microSD card - I didn't want to take any chances messing up the data already on the chip card that came with the unit.

-Sam

thanks I will need to go find a chip.

There's a whole long thread on Northern California Kayak Anglers about some issues with the Elite finders.  It might help to read it.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=70461.0

This one, too:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=62450.msg700447#msg700447

Watch for answers posted by "FishingForTheCure" (Bill).

This might fix some problems right off: the Elite finders come pre-set for boats.  Reducing the ping rate from FASTEST to SLOW often solves data issues.

Good luck.

THANK YOU!!  That is a great thread and it answers some big questions I had.   I need to do a hard reset, update the firmware, and then get the ping speed down to slow, make sure the transducer is operating at 200.   Then go from there. 

I think the unit is going to work out fine, but just needs to be dialed in. 

Thanks again for the great thread.

Thanks for posting this Tinker.  That first link definitely shows there may be some issues with some units - apparently unrelated to what one has in their settings.  Saw several people reporting the same exact symptoms that I've seen - also sporadic.

I've already been running with a slow ping.  Did the firmware update yesterday and took it out on the water last night.  No issues - depth readings were all as expected.  (And no fish as is normal more me!)

Will be out on the water again tomorrow for the Gilbert River HOW event and checking on depth behavior.

Widgeonmangh - hope your issues get resolved!

-Sam

Thanks.  I believe mine are just settings issues. I won't get out until Monday at the earliest.

I hope there's help in those threads.

I've already been running with a slow ping.  Did the firmware update yesterday and took it out on the water last night.  No issues - depth readings were all as expected.  (And no fish as is normal more me!)

Lost some perfectly good coffee reading the last line of this!  It's pretty normal for me, too.

Took it out today and after making the adjustments to ping speed and a couple of the other suggestions, it worked flawlessly!

Love it.  Even caught a couple today.

Great!  And great job with the fishing, too.  Nice haul.

Took it out today and after making the adjustments to ping speed and a couple of the other suggestions, it worked flawlessly!

Great to hear - glad that you got it worked out!

And following up on my issue...  Had mine out both Sat and Sun this past weekend - depth readings were all good.

-Sam