Lowrance Elite-7 HDS... recommendations / Suggestions?

[mbhoag]

I think it is time to replace the 27 year old fishfinders on my 1986 Bayliner bass boat (Eagle II in bow, Hummingbird at wheel console).

I think I will probably move the Hummingbird to the bow, with transducer on trolling motor, and have new unit at the wheel.

After researching quite a few, I like the looks of the Lowrance Elite-7 HDS with the Lowrance Lake Insight Maps.



What I like:
Large 7" color screen
GPS/Chartplotter
Lakemaps with contours
Downscan imaging
Up to 3 screens at once
3000 waypoints
100 routes
under $1000 bucks

Anyone have experience with these units, the good and the bad, or better suggestions?

Thanks for the help!

 

[OllieC]

Re: Lowrance Elite-7 HDS... recommendations / Suggestions?

I just installed the Elite 7.

I love it. The downscan is really cool. The chart plotter is very detailed. I just fished around some shoals that "eat boats" every year. Good unit.
The only thing I didn't like was drilling a 1" hole in my transom for the transducer's "blue" connector. You would think with with today's technology the connector could be smaller.
Enjoy,
Ollie

 

[OllieC]

Re: Lowrance Elite-7 HDS... recommendations / Suggestions?

Also, the back order on the cover stinks..... I have no other complaints....

 

[mbhoag]

Re: Lowrance Elite-7 HDS... recommendations / Suggestions?

Drilling a hole in the transom?? I thought is was an external mount transponder... only a couple of screws would be needed..

What did I miss?

 

[mbhoag]

Re: Lowrance Elite-7 HDS... recommendations / Suggestions?

As for the cover, I might just have my wife make me a slip-on cover out of upholstery grade vinyl or leather. We have an industrial sewing machine as she used to do upholstery years ago.... then I can get my boats name added to it (Passin' Bass) :-D

 

[OllieC]

Re: Lowrance Elite-7 HDS... recommendations / Suggestions?

Drilling a hole in the transom?? I thought is was an external mount transponder... only a couple of screws would be needed..

What did I miss?

Yes, the unit comes with an external transducer and yes you need to screw in the mount below the waterline - however, the cable and connector are attached the the transducer which you need to route to the helm (assuming that's where it's going) . If you are going to drape the cable over the transom where your outboard is and then route it through an existing hole, you should be good.

For me, I have an IO and had to drill through the transom. Otherwise I would have a cable routed over the transom and on top of seats to enter the gunwale.

Have your wife make me a cover LOL -
I should have my cover in a couple weeks.
Ollie

 

[Sledryder]

Re: Lowrance Elite-7 HDS... recommendations / Suggestions?

The Humminbird and Lowrance will not work well at the same time , one unit will get feedback from the other.

 

[mbhoag]

Re: Lowrance Elite-7 HDS... recommendations / Suggestions?

The Humminbird and Lowrance will not work well at the same time , one unit will get feedback from the other.

Thanks for that update, I would not have known that. Maybe I will just mount the new unit on a gimbal that I can spin around to see from the bow or helm.

 

[mike165]

Re: Lowrance Elite-7 HDS... recommendations / Suggestions?

A bit slow to load,and you need to keep the batts well charged