Elite-4 or Mark-4

The screen on the B&W mark 4 is hard to read at times, when it's raining or in bright sunlight. It would be nice to have the color screen, but whether it's worth 100....I'm not sure. I have the Mark 4 DSI and am not a fan. It picks up a ton of noise and when it marks a fish it shows it as a flat line. Which looks the same as kelp or other interference. I am never sure I am actually picking up fish or not. It has good detail in 25-40 feet of water but any shallower or deeper the DSI doesn't do much. I don't know if this has to do with the frequency or what but I prefer my super cheap hummingbird I had before. The GPS function is cool though. The non DSI version might be better though.     

Noah; I have a elite 4 and so far so good, the fish id is small ,but the definition is good. Your on about the SD slot. What I did was I found a 1/2" -3/4" rubber band that fits around the whole unit and keeps the flap closed tightly. I do have a video if your interested? there are rubber bands that come on new doors that cover the hinges for shipping that work. I also used a flexible rubber cap Freon paint ball tubes to cover the other port on the back of the elite 4 I believe it is for external gps, mine has the fishfinder and gps.

Noah are you shooting thru the hull with the DSI?

I found a big loss of signal with thru the hull on my mark 5 DSI. I switched to in the water for the traducer and it woks great.

willbd

Yes, however I'be tried it directly in the water for short periods of time and didn't notice any difference. I've actually mounted and remounted the transducer 3-4 times in hopes of getting a better signal. The results for the most part were about the same. Maybe the Mark 5 is better?

While we're talking about the Mark 4 I should also mention that it is 100% necessary to goop the stupid little rubber flap that covers up the slot that the micro SD card slides into. It pops out at very unfortunate times, like when your boat is upside-down in the surf or when your cousin borrows your boat and then proceeds to jump out in 6 feet of water (flipping the boat in the process) because he didn't realize how deep it was......despite the fact he had a depth finder in front of him!!! Who does that? Lowrance was nice enough to replace it for free but I was without FF for 3 weeks.

For those of you who have had issues with water in your Mark or Elite series, can water enter the unit around the buttons? Or only through the memory card port?


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RR

I have not had issues with water getting in at all, I have to worry about the salt air corrosion. I use dielectric grease in area's exposed. The the SD flap just does not stay shut with out assistance. I had a Elite 4 that the seal was bad but Lowrance replaced no questions and quickly.

For those of you who have had issues with water in your Mark or Elite series, can water enter the unit around the buttons? Or only through the memory card port?


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It's only the card slot. After I gooped it's been fine after being under water a couple of times.

I'm not too interested in DSI.   I don't need it. 

I was hoping to stay in the $300 range.  Are the Humminbirds so much better to pay a bit more?

You can get a gray scale hummingbird with gps under $300

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I'm not too interested in DSI.   I don't need it. 

I was hoping to stay in the $300 range.  Are the Humminbirds so much better to pay a bit more?

For me personally it is but it won't be for everyone. What do you want your FF to do well? I want GPS and the ability to clearly see schools and structure in over 80 feet of water in all weather.

...or when your cousin borrows your boat and then proceeds to jump out in 6 feet of water (flipping the boat in the process) because he didn't realize how deep it was......despite the fact he had a depth finder in front of him!!! Who does that?

Sorry man but that's comedy

I'm not too interested in DSI.   I don't need it. 

I was hoping to stay in the $300 range.  Are the Humminbirds so much better to pay a bit more?

Not sure if anyone has used this one, but it's in the $300 range...gray scale like Lee mentioned.

http://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-5-Inch-Waterproof-Chartplotter-Sounder/dp/B002KFJPVI

This looks like a pretty good FF at the right cost.  Do any of you have it?

http://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-5-Inch-Waterproof-Chartplotter-Sounder/dp/B002KFJPVI

I was hoping for a smaller unit but I could be convinced to get the bigger screen.


 

This looks like a pretty good FF at the right cost.  Do any of you have it?

http://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-5-Inch-Waterproof-Chartplotter-Sounder/dp/B002KFJPVI

I was hoping for a smaller unit but I could be convinced to get the bigger screen.

I'd ideally like to have both. It would be nice to have the contrast of a color and my eyes like the big screens. You could probably shop around all day but some of these look pretty good too,

http://fishfinders.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/1380/Humminbird-300-Series-FishFinders.html?&sort=price&sortby=1&size=&page=1&sizeChange=1&sortChanged=-2&container_list=

This looks like a pretty good FF at the right cost.  Do any of you have it?

http://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-5-Inch-Waterproof-Chartplotter-Sounder/dp/B002KFJPVI

I was hoping for a smaller unit but I could be convinced to get the bigger screen.


 

I've used this model for 3 years or so. It's a good unit IMO. The navigation/GPS has a ton of features and sonar/FF is quite able also. Enough so I feel like an idiot chasing jellyfish schools. The light function is stupid and navigating to waypoint is a bit confusing, but these are rather minor once you get to know them. I've not used a card with it.

I also have the Elite 4 DSI. Beside the color vs. the gray scale, I'll take the 581i or other similar Humminbird.

I have a Mark-4 and am very happy with it.  It is the only FF I have used so I can't compare it to others, but the screen is easy to view and the GPS is useful.  It is a good value for both FF and GPS.

So another part of this would be how to mount it.  Currently my FF is out of arms reach.  If I get a GPS, I'll want to be able to bush some buttons.  How do you all mount your FF's?

thanks!

I pop mine into the front rod holder using PVC and a little pipe insulation to snug it up.  Easy on, easy off and no new holes.  I did make a hole with a water tight fitting to run the cable through.  It was only supposed to be temporary to see if I liked it in that approximate location, or on the other side. However, I have made it my permanent solution.  You have to have a hole in the bottom and one in the top of the pvc or the suction will make it almost impossible to get it out.  Again, my original intent was to decide where to permanently attach the Ram mount, but I like the easy on/off and so have left it this way.  It can also be moved from boat to boat, or loaned to someone else.

That's pretty slick Craig.  I like the eyes you put on it as well. (last picture) 

What size PVC is that?