Difference between "lake" and "sea" versions of Lowrance Elite 5 chirp?

I am ready to pull the trigger for a new Lowrance Elite 5 chirp, but as usual, I got confused by Lowrance's way of packaging/modeling. On Lowrance Factory Store website, they have a Lake version and a Sea version with $100 price difference, but there is no description of the difference. I do not see any mentioning of sea/lake from other vendors. After reading the details on Lowrance Factory Store website, it looks like the Lake version has a 83/200 transducer and the Sea version has a 50/200 transducer (the website is even not consistent on the frequency for Sea version). Is this really the only difference between the two? If yes, is a Lake version good enough for kayak fishing since we almost never go deep? Really appreciate any info on this.

There is no "right" answer.  There are instances where an 83/200 is just fine in saltwater and other times when a 50/200 is needed for freshwater.  A VERY general rule of thumb is 83/200-Freshwater & 50/200-saltwater.  It's all a matter of how deep in salt or freshwater you want to go.  I've found that my 83/200 seems to "top out" at 200' in saltwater.  I will be changing my transducer out to a 50/200 in the kayak shortly.  The difference in 83/200 vs. 50/200 is about $100 in transducer retail cost.

I've never seen Lowrance refer to it as a Freshwater or Saltwater version though in their description.  Where did you see this (or a link)?  Curious now.

I've never seen Lowrance refer to it as a Freshwater or Saltwater version though in their description.  Where did you see this (or a link)?  Curious now.

Thanks for the info!

Here is the link:
http://lr.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/53416-97153/Lowrance-Elite-CHIRP-Series-Fishfinders.html?cid=132356&chid=1&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvLGfBRDfkrr19KDS-7YBEiQA8CoFJyMjzgCUj_2qO2RWkpTPYgoM_mCPGwX-y-fV7X3gQWMaAufy8P8HAQ

And here is the text, they even did not put the right frequency for the "Sea" version here (but if you click on the link, the detailed description says 50/200):

I've never seen Lowrance refer to it as a Freshwater or Saltwater version though in their description.  Where did you see this (or a link)?  Curious now.

Thanks for the info!

Here is the link:
http://lr.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/53416-97153/Lowrance-Elite-CHIRP-Series-Fishfinders.html?cid=132356&chid=1&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvLGfBRDfkrr19KDS-7YBEiQA8CoFJyMjzgCUj_2qO2RWkpTPYgoM_mCPGwX-y-fV7X3gQWMaAufy8P8HAQ

Ok, it isn't a 'Lowrance' thing to refer to them as Freshwater/Saltwater (or at least that I have seen anywhere).  It looks like the company selling them is making this reference.  The pieces of the puzzle are coming together.  Thanks for the link.
   

And here is the text, they even did not put the right frequency for the "Sea" version here (but if you click on the link, the detailed description says 50/200):

The CHIRP tech is already built-into the HDI transducers, right?
So, for example, if I had an Elite 5 HDI and wanted to upgrade to CHIRP...I would only need the new head unit...and I could continue using the same transducer?

The CHIRP tech is already built-into the HDI transducers, right?
So, for example, if I had an Elite 5 HDI and wanted to upgrade to CHIRP...I would only need the new head unit...and I could continue using the same transducer?

I believe you are correct good sir

Ok, it isn't a 'Lowrance' thing to refer to them as Freshwater/Saltwater (or at least that I have seen anywhere).  It looks like the company selling them is making this reference.  The pieces of the puzzle are coming together.  Thanks for the link.

So I must have been tricked to think it is Lowrance factory outlet store, which would be owned by Lowrance. It is called FactoryOutletStore.com, and It has Lowrance right under the logo, and it only sell Lowrance products. It must be smart marketing

Looking at it ... At first glance, it looks like a lowrance store.  The giveaway is in the upper left corner "an independent retailer of consumer products".  Does not appear to be any affiliation with Lowrance Corp.  Just another retailer with "tricky" marketing.

Hope its not a scam shop.