Your Opinons on Fish Finders

How important is CHIRP? Nice to have, or big advantage?

I only know what I've read about CHIRP and if I understand it correctly, it penetrates to depth better with reduced signal noise, and should provide a clearer image on the display.  Maybe in the "Nice to have" column.

Anyone who really knows can jump in a correct me... it's okay, I won't bite.

In fresh water I find it "nice to have."  Most days I stay on the Sonar screens cause the column is wider and I'm relatively shallow.  But CHIRP can be handy avoiding bottom snags.

I don't have enough time with it on salt water yet to offer an opinion.

I've got the Dragonfly 6. Honestly, I liked my Elite 4 HDI a lot more.
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Thank you Chris, it does help.  Did you find the Elite's 4-inch display difficult to read because of it's size?

I've got the Dragonfly 6. Honestly, I liked my Elite 4 HDI a lot more.
Ive  had some issues with the Dragonfly(sticky power button has caused factory resets which erase my way points). I do like that one plug design though . I hate the plugs that Lowrance uses. They're awful.

The built in maps sucked, installing navionics helped. The built in maps on the elite 4 were better straight out of the box.

The elite 4 is half the price of the Dragonfly 6 and I feel like it's a better unit.

I hope that helps.

Chris, I have heard good things about Raymarine's customer service.  Maybe send it in for a tune up?

I've got the Dragonfly 6. Honestly, I liked my Elite 4 HDI a lot more.
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Thank you Chris, it does help.  Did you find the Elite's 4-inch display difficult to read because of it's size?

I had mine installed within arms reach. The screen was easy to read.

How important is CHIRP? Nice to have, or big advantage?

In fresh water I find it "nice to have."  Most days I stay on the Sonar screens cause the column is wider and I'm relatively shallow.  But CHIRP can be handy avoiding bottom snags.

I don't have enough time with it on salt water yet to offer an opinion.

I think you might have CHIRP and downscan reversed.

CHIRP is a sonar optimization based on frequency modulation, it is not unique to Lowrance, it basically allows a better sonar image.

generic description of CHIRP:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chirp

Downscanning shows underwater structure such as submerged logs and branches by processing the sonar returns as you move over things.

I almost always run my Elite-4chirp hdi with an over/under spit screen: CHIRP sonar on top, downscan on the bottom.  I fish in lakes and rivers with lots of submerged stuff, often the top sonar image will show what could be fish or a group of fish but below the downscan is clearly showing it is a log with individual branches that are clearly resolved in the image. 

cheers, roger

I had mine installed within arms reach. The screen was easy to read.

You were younger then, too...   

Thank you, Roger.  Do you have your unit close to your knees, too?  Can't hurt to know how/where folks are mounting the display unit.  Could make a difference in my decision.

Thank you, Roger.  Do you have your unit close to your knees, too?  Can't hurt to know how/where folks are mounting the display unit.  Could make a difference in my decision.

On both kayaks, Elite-7 on (soon departing) PA12 and Elite-4 on Oasis, I use RAM mount with 1.5" to 1" conversion extension, this allows some adjustment in location to bring it closer or swing it outboard and out of the way.  If the Elite-7 was positioned all the way inboard, it would probably cause knee crowding..cheers, roger

Thank you, Roger.

How important is CHIRP? Nice to have, or big advantage?

In fresh water I find it "nice to have."  Most days I stay on the Sonar screens cause the column is wider and I'm relatively shallow.  But CHIRP can be handy avoiding bottom snags.

I don't have enough time with it on salt water yet to offer an opinion.

I think you might have CHIRP and downscan reversed.

CHIRP is a sonar optimization based on frequency modulation, it is not unique to Lowrance, it basically allows a better sonar image.

generic description of CHIRP:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chirp

Downscanning shows underwater structure such as submerged logs and branches by processing the sonar returns as you move over things.

I almost always run my Elite-4chirp hdi with an over/under spit screen: CHIRP sonar on top, downscan on the bottom.  I fish in lakes and rivers with lots of submerged stuff, often the top sonar image will show what could be fish or a group of fish but below the downscan is clearly showing it is a log with individual branches that are clearly resolved in the image. 

cheers, roger

I've got you beat.  I have an Eagle Cuda 242.  No GPS.  Its mounted on the front hatch.  I turn it on before launching and never have the need to touch it until landing.  Picks up the bottom and fish just fine.

If I ever replace it, it will be with a larger color screen with GPS and mounted within easy reach.  This would allow me to leave the handheld GPS at home.

Thank you, and may I congratulate you on what must be your telescopic vision!  That's looks like a tiny screen to be way down by your toes.  Or I'm getting old.  Probably the latter.

I was reading a tale about someone who was caught out in a dense fog with no navigation aids, and I think that an additional GPS in the finder is a must-have.

It's clear why the Cuda's were discontinued: they last.

I finally decided on a fish-finder...  Lowrance Elite 4 Chirp with the Navionics+ map card.
$50 rebate valid until Feb29 -- here's the rebate form:  productimageserver.com/rebates/54463.pdf

You could have waited until I ordered mine!  Now they'll be sold out everywhere.

Thank you, Barb.  I'll be using that rebate form.

Tinker,  I have and still use the much out dated Eagle Cuda 250

I've got you beat.  I have an Eagle Cuda 242. No GPS.  Its mounted on the front hatch.  I turn it on before launching and never have the need to touch it until landing.  Picks up the bottom and fish just fine.

If I ever replace it, it will be with a larger color screen with GPS and mounted within easy reach.  This would allow me to leave the handheld GPS at home.

Contraire mon frère!  I also have and use an Eagle Cuda 168 as my backup fish finder.  The 168 is predecessor to the 242, as it is pretty much the as  same as the 242, only less spectacular resolution.  But, it finds the bottom and marks fish - no GPS.   

Interesting turn of responses.  Now, I'm curious if anyone else is still sporting any older units beyond these dinosaurs? 

This battery works pretty well and has enough capacity for the larger units.
Aukey 18000mah Multi-voltage (5v 12v 16v 19v)External Battery with Quick Charge for iPhone 6S 6S Plus 6 Samsung Galaxy Google Nexus LG HTC Motorola and many other USB Powered Mobile Devices(Silver) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NBI1GQK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_inxFwbNNSPJYT

Noah, this battery in on it's way to me.  Are you using it?  If so, does the included charger work well or should I be looking for an aftermarket charger to speed things up?