Lowrance Elite 5x DSI

I use Electrical grease on my cable to unit plugs and carry a little bit in the truck to make sure that its coated. If the pins are exposed to saltwater a single time they tend to corrode away into nothing.

Very true Jim!  Electricity and saltwater just dont mix.  I've lost a few pins (killing the FF) to corrosion, and dialectric grease is the answer.  Can be found commonly at most autopart stores, and electrical shops.  Like others have said, I just squeezed the extra port full of grease and haven't seen any problems. 

However, on the Lowrance 4 units, you still have the MicroSD card slot to worry about.  I've had three of them corrode on me, even after taking measures to prevent it such as wrapping the cover with electrical tape.  Somehow it keeps getting in there and corroding my SD card.  They really need to do something better with the door for the memory card.  At least so far it hasn't caused the FF any issues.  But I cannot save my GPS points or routes, which is a real bummer for me.

On my Mark-4, I covered the SD card slot with marine goop.

You know what would be awesome? If one of you electrical geniuses could modify/add to the mirage drive some kind of generator-capacitor so peddling your mirage drive helps recharge the battery.

Al ... I've heard the issues with the Elite 4 card door.  I tested mine & haven't had an issue yet.  Seems to be hit & miss.  I, personally, don't like the door design either.  I still think the best mem. card door design that has worked was the old Eagle doors that had a screw shut thingy & an o-ring.  Most companies have gove to a "press shut" relying on the tolerance between the case & a rubber/silicone door or ring.  Some rely on a magnet to hold the door shut.  Off topic .....    I agree it lacks but at least Lowrance will replace it for free!

~Bill