Lowrance Elite-5 DSI Gold one day sale (today)

Apparently West Marine is having a one day sale on these today only if anyone is in in the market for one. It says this is applicable to online orders as well, and they usually ship free for items over $50.
Regular price: $569.00
Sale price: $299.00

Just what i needed, i was about to go to cabela's and get the Mark 4 DSI on sale at $169 after rebate.  whats another $130 right?

  "you really dont need a color screen"
   "dont listen to him, B&W is sooo 1960's"
   "you need to feed your kids"
   "think of all the free fish that will help you catch"
  "...."
   "i win"

Seriously though - anyone have feed back on the waterproofness on this unit?

I've heard this is a fantastic unit, but the larger display is a battery hog so make sure you have a decent power source.  I think bsteves uses this unit, maybe he can share some feedback.

I'm getting my first fish finder today, and I have narrowed it down to a Lowrance, but am having a tough time deciding.

Elite-5 DSI Gold - 300 is my max, so this deal seems too good to pass up.  I don't see an advantage on the higher end ones until you get into the ones that do 3D rendering, and they aren't that great yet.  Touch screen would be a downside on a boat.

Elite Mark 4 - This seems like it would do everything the 5 would do, minus DSI, which sounds like a pain to use.  It's backlit, and if I'm not using the DSI, the only thing (I think) I'd be missing would be color screen and multiple views (would probably only run one on this one).

Elite 4 DSI - $50 rebate, bringing it in at $300 - since it does everything the 5 does, seems like the best of the first two, making it the ideal choice - but what if later I wish I got the bigger one

Per other posts on here, would probably get this battery to go with it:
http://www.amazon.com/quality-Portable-9800mAh-Rechargeable-Battery/dp/B00CK5L3GI/

And Mark is going to figure out how to get all this on some tracks for me

Elite Mark 4 - This seems like it would do everything the 5 would do, minus DSI, which sounds like a pain to use.  It's backlit, and if I'm not using the DSI, the only thing (I think) I'd be missing would be color screen and multiple views (would probably only run one on this one).

There's not an Elite Mark 4.  There's an Elite 4 and a Mark 4.  The Mark 4 is B&W, the Elite 4 is color.

I have a Mark 4.  Well, technically, USPS has it as it is en route to Lowrance for warranty service.  Anyway, you can split the display to get both chart and sounder views simultaneously.

I'm getting my first fish finder today, and I have narrowed it down to a Lowrance, but am having a tough time deciding.

Elite-5 DSI Gold - 300 is my max, so this deal seems too good to pass up.  I don't see an advantage on the higher end ones until you get into the ones that do 3D rendering, and they aren't that great yet.  Touch screen would be a downside on a boat.

Elite Mark 4 - This seems like it would do everything the 5 would do, minus DSI, which sounds like a pain to use.  It's backlit, and if I'm not using the DSI, the only thing (I think) I'd be missing would be color screen and multiple views (would probably only run one on this one).

Elite 4 DSI - $50 rebate, bringing it in at $300 - since it does everything the 5 does, seems like the best of the first two, making it the ideal choice - but what if later I wish I got the bigger one

Per other posts on here, would probably get this battery to go with it:
http://www.amazon.com/quality-Portable-9800mAh-Rechargeable-Battery/dp/B00CK5L3GI/

And Mark is going to figure out how to get all this on some tracks for me

Having the larger screen is really nice for running in split screen mode, either with the GPS/FF or the two different frequencies of the FF. I'd snatch up the Elite 5 at that price pretty quick. You may also want to compare the watts of the two FFs. I believe you get a better signal with the higher watts machines.

Is it possible to run the DSI models in non-DSI mode?  Doesn't seem like it as they only list the 455/800kHz for the xducers.  What's the max depth if you can't run it in non-DSI mode?

I've heard this is a fantastic unit, but the larger display is a battery hog so make sure you have a decent power source.  I think bsteves uses this unit, maybe he can share some feedback.

Actually, the Elite 5 that I buying in the auction was upgraded to the Elite 7 HDI.  The Elite 7 is much bigger unit and it is a battery hog (typical 1.1 A -according to specs).   It looks like the Elite 5 doesn't suck down amps nearly as quickly (at 13.5 V 250 mA -according to specs).

Brian

Is it possible to run the DSI models in non-DSI mode?  Doesn't seem like it as they only list the 455/800kHz for the xducers.  What's the max depth if you can't run it in non-DSI mode?

Yes. I think the max depth was 200-300 feet but the DSI was only really effective on my Mark 4 DSI to about 4. I started just running it in non dsi mode most of the time.

Is it possible to run the DSI models in non-DSI mode?  Doesn't seem like it as they only list the 455/800kHz for the xducers.  What's the max depth if you can't run it in non-DSI mode?

A DSI model in non-DSI mode is off (or just a GPS).  In the Lowrance line you need an HDI (Hybrid Dual Imaging) unit to have the option between DSI and broadband or both.

The Elite 5 units have a better seal for the micro HD card slot than the Elite 4 units. The smaller units, Mark 4 and Elite 4, just have a rubber plug to seal the card slot on the bottom of the unit. It doesn't work very well, so if you get the smaller unit, be sure and seal the card slot so water can't get in. I called Lowrance about this defect, and the lady said that it seals better than I think it does! I didn't believe her!

The Elite 5 units have a better seal for the micro HD card slot than the Elite 4 units. The smaller units, Mark 4 and Elite 4, just have a rubber plug to seal the card slot on the bottom of the unit. It doesn't work very well, so if you get the smaller unit, be sure and seal the card slot so water can't get in. I called Lowrance about this defect, and the lady said that it seals better than I think it does! I didn't believe her!

Yeah she's wrong. I already sent one back as their "seal" on the Elite-4 popped open mid-huli and ruined my FF. They replaced my unit for free since they advertise it as "waterproof" but even the warranty rep said that they see quite a few of these come back due to the rubber flap coming loose.
I gooped my SD slot closed on my replacement unit and haven't had any problems.

Something to keep in mind before buying is the transducer mount.  from what i understand, DSI cannot be mounted through hull.  one of the reasons i'm still leaning toward the Mark 4.

Something to keep in mind before buying is the transducer mount.  from what i understand, DSI cannot be mounted through hull.  one of the reasons i'm still leaning toward the Mark 4.

Doesn't it come with a regular transducer, / don't have to use the DSI transducer and it's just a normal FF?

Something to keep in mind before buying is the transducer mount.  from what i understand, DSI cannot be mounted through hull.  one of the reasons i'm still leaning toward the Mark 4.

I don't think that's correct. I thought it was, but from the guys who have the DSI I heard that it can be mounted inside the hull.