Elite 5 Chirp Quit

I purchased a new chirp unit less than two years ago with handful of usage on my 2015 Outback. Honestly the sounder image was always very grainy and poor reading display in general. Fishing at the cove I made sure there was no obstruction inside the transducer housing and all electrical connections good and no corrosions.

On land when I was testing the unit, the sonar would give a random crazy depth readings with blank display except a thin yellow line at the top.

On the water I had again 150 reading at 10 feet with no sonar readings of anykind. Gps part works fine.

Does this sound like a faulty transducer needing a replacement?
I have tried all factory reset type of procedures.

Still managed to get my first verm today but this failure is disappointing for sure.

I have the same issues with my Elite 4 DSI, including the thin yellow line at the top.  I hope you have better luck with Lowrance than I have had.  I sent an email today to Customer Service.  Another email with the same issues might get their attention.

Good Luck

I purchased a new chirp unit less than two years ago with handful of usage on my 2015 Outback. Honestly the sounder image was always very grainy and poor reading display in general. Fishing at the cove I made sure there was no obstruction inside the transducer housing and all electrical connections good and no corrosions.

On land when I was testing the unit, the sonar would give a random crazy depth readings with blank display except a thin yellow line at the top.

On the water I had again 150 reading at 10 feet with no sonar readings of anykind. Gps part works fine.

Does this sound like a faulty transducer needing a replacement?
I have tried all factory reset type of procedures.

Still managed to get my first verm today but this failure is disappointing for sure.

Just some tips to help you all out....

from my own experience, NEVER run your unit on dry land with your ducer connected... It will burn it out

If you have issues with your readings a. Learn how to soft or hard boot your unit (hold pages and +- button at same time I believe or call Lowrance)

If that doesn't work check your wiring, your connection and location of ducer placement... Should always be flat from your kayak and with no air in between the water connection...

I've found that a firmware update and soft boot will always bring mine to great functionality.. Trust me it took a while to learn this!!!

such a pain to have to go through the headache to study and learn this but well worth it as I think Lowrance is definitely the best in the water... If it works properly and once it does its gold...

So questions to you.... What's your setup? How do you have it mounted? And, do what you can to not run it on dry land! Good luck they'll take care of you so don't worry!!!

Thanks for help.
I have never actually run it dry for more than a few seconds before turning sonar off but eill connect the wire once otw.
Software was already upto current but inserted the update card after a hatd reboot. I will put the sounder in a five gallon to see if I get amy image. Will try toys on the bottom.

You won't get an image in a bucket.  Needs to be in a lake, river, ocean, etc.

Just installed a new transducer I had.
Will try otw tomorrow.

 I love to leran to set the unit up properly for recreational ocean fishing but to me the Lowrance doesn't provide much info. I kust go ny tad bits I pick up here and there.

Is there a FAQ guide on setup someone knowledgeable put together by chance?

First, Lowrance Tech Support had me running the unit on dry land for half an hour while we tried to work on an issue I was having with an Elite-4 HDI.  As far as I can tell, it did no harm to the transducer - yet.

I can't remember where I found this, but it helped me quite a bit as I was getting used to the Elite.  No part of it was written by me, but it was helpful:

2D:  High Chirp = 200kHz, Mid Chirp = 83 kHz, Low Chirp = 50kHz.  I run in HIGH CHIRP.

DSI - 800kHz offers best resolution while 455 has better depth penetration. I always just use 800kHz for all the waters I am in.

SONAR SETTINGS: GENERAL USE/FRESHWATER/SALTWATER/TROLLING/ DEEP WATER/SHALLOW WATER is critical.  I use SHALLOW water when I am in 60 ft. or less.  I will switch to FRESHWATER for anything deeper than that.  The manual clearly states: "Use FRESHWATER mode when fishing in less than 100 feet of water; otherwise your unit may not track bottom properly"

Leave Sensitivity in AUTO until you get a good handle on EVERYTHING else.  Then you can fine tune with this setting once you become a learned pro.
*NOTE: you can make small adjustments (+/- 40%) to the sensitivity with AUTO turned ON!

I find PING SPEED in NORMAL is best.

RANGE: Auto

NOISE REJECTION: Off. We have no other devises or engines on our kayaks that need filtering.

SURFACE CLARITY - I will go back and forth on this one depending on water conditions. Murky- set to LOW. Clear water set to HIGH for more sensitivity. (This was backwards in my mind before I learned a thing or two)

COLOR LINE: leave this at the default 76%.

Hope it helps.

   

I have the same unit and today capped out. Of course only 15 days past 1 year warranty from date of purchase.   Unit got a couple drops of water in it and shorted board. Thought these  HU's where supposed to be waterproof  dammit!:smt013
I'm weighing my options now.
Will transducer/power cord work with newer hook model or elite 7? Will upgrade HU to maybe even 7 if compatible. Sorry for thread jack.
Hope yours is not toast like mine.

First, Lowrance Tech Support had me running the unit on dry land for half an hour while we tried to work on an issue I was having with an Elite-4 HDI.  As far as I can tell, it did no harm to the transducer - yet.

I can't remember where I found this, but it helped me quite a bit as I was getting used to the Elite.  No part of it was written by me, but it was helpful:

2D:  High Chirp = 200kHz, Mid Chirp = 83 kHz, Low Chirp = 50kHz.  I run in HIGH CHIRP.

DSI - 800kHz offers best resolution while 455 has better depth penetration. I always just use 800kHz for all the waters I am in.

SONAR SETTINGS: GENERAL USE/FRESHWATER/SALTWATER/TROLLING/ DEEP WATER/SHALLOW WATER is critical.  I use SHALLOW water when I am in 60 ft. or less.  I will switch to FRESHWATER for anything deeper than that.  The manual clearly states: "Use FRESHWATER mode when fishing in less than 100 feet of water; otherwise your unit may not track bottom properly"

Leave Sensitivity in AUTO until you get a good handle on EVERYTHING else.  Then you can fine tune with this setting once you become a learned pro.
*NOTE: you can make small adjustments (+/- 40%) to the sensitivity with AUTO turned ON!

I find PING SPEED in NORMAL is best.

RANGE: Auto

NOISE REJECTION: Off. We have no other devises or engines on our kayaks that need filtering.

SURFACE CLARITY - I will go back and forth on this one depending on water conditions. Murky- set to LOW. Clear water set to HIGH for more sensitivity. (This was backwards in my mind before I learned a thing or two)

COLOR LINE: leave this at the default 76%.

Hope it helps.

 

Thank you very much.
Just got up and jeading to Shelter cove. Will try tinkering.

New sounder solved the problem. For now...

I have the same unit and today capped out. Of course only 15 days past 1 year warranty from date of purchase.   Unit got a couple drops of water in it and shorted board. Thought these  HU's where supposed to be waterproof  dammit!:smt013
I'm weighing my options now.
Will transducer/power cord work with newer hook model or elite 7? Will upgrade HU to maybe even 7 if compatible. Sorry for thread jack.
Hope yours is not toast like mine.

My Elite-4 was toast, but not from water.  Replaced it with a Hook 5 and all of the Elite-4 wiring fits and works.  Lowrance told me the new Elite touchscreen units will work with my old power cable, but I'd need an adapter to connect some of the older transducers.  They're pretty helpful if you have questions.  Give them a call.  Or wait for Bill to chime in - he's pretty darned helpful, too. 

I have the same unit and today capped out. Of course only 15 days past 1 year warranty from date of purchase.   Unit got a couple drops of water in it and shorted board. Thought these  HU's where supposed to be waterproof  dammit!:smt013
I'm weighing my options now.
Will transducer/power cord work with newer hook model or elite 7? Will upgrade HU to maybe even 7 if compatible. Sorry for thread jack.
Hope yours is not toast like mine.

My Elite-4 was toast, but not from water.  Replaced it with a Hook 5 and all of the Elite-4 wiring fits and works.  Lowrance told me the new Elite touchscreen units will work with my old power cable, but I'd need an adapter to connect some of the older transducers.  They're pretty helpful if you have questions.  Give them a call.  Or wait for Bill to chime in - he's pretty darned helpful, too.

Thanks.  They were quick to respond . Sent unit in now the waiting game to see if they will fix/replace or if I'm screwed 

Sent unit to lowrance about 2 weeks ago and just received new Hook5 chirp in mail today.So stoked!!
Great customer service.