Black Friday Deals?

Thanks Fellas,

Are the Dual Imaging capabilities of the HDI worth the extra cost in my situation? It seems very useful, but like I said, I'm very new to Sonar.


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I, personally, like the ability to have 1 unit that can be moved from my kayak(s), to my Pontoon boat to my john boat as needed.

As for my kayak, I DO like the ability to see the structure in high detail with the HDI AND see the traditional Broadband view because there are things I will miss if looking at one vs. the other.  Granted, most of my use is saltwater in under 120 feet.  Hopefully this next season it will see more freshwater use.  Really comes down to a judgment call on your part.  There is nothing wrong with either the Elite 5 (broadband) or the Elite 5 DSI.  It's just that they have rolled both units into 1 for 2014 so the two units are being steeply cut in price to close out.  If you stick to freshwater only at 100' or less, then I would guess you'd be happy with the DSI version & being new, you don't have anything former to compare it to so it will be GREAT 

Great info FFTC!

It looks like I'll be looking for a good deal on a Elite 5 DSI. If I can't find a good enough deal, I'm going for the HDI. Either way, I can't wait!!!


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One last thought.....

   Check the package contents before making the purchase of the Elite 5 HDI.  It is sold in a few different ways and sometimes not all packages are = when comparing price.  I typically see this sold online with the transducer, but without the Gold chart chip.  Most brick & mortar stores I've come across sell it with the Gold chip, but without the transducer.  The transducer cost is about $100 & I am not really certain what the value is of the chip since it is made by Navionics, for Lowrance for this package but is the Gold cartography.  Might be about the same value.  A regular Navionics Gold chip is about $200.

   The only other difference with the HDI vs. the broadband or DSI version is the transducer size.  The HDI's transducer is about 1.5x the size of the broadband & a LOT larger than the DSI (the DSI has a very small transducer to begin with).  The broadband transducer is what I set as my "benchmark" for transducer size.

   I found that the HDI transducer is still a manageable size for a 'shoot thru the hull' installation.

   Phew....  Took me two shots to write all this

Awesome info FFTC.

You answered a lot of the questions I had and then some! It looks to me like the deal at BPS doesn't include the Transducer. Which would bring the price closer to the HDI. Any place you recommend for purchasing the HDI, if I decide on it?


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Update...

  Looks like the West Marine stores have ample stock of the Elite 5 & Elite 5 DSI units.

   I'll post Holiday sales deals/black friday deals as they become avialable.

Bill

I service mainly the West Marine stores from Sausalito to Monterey.  I just finished installeing the new Elite  5 HDI units in all those stores this past weekend.  If they don't have them in-stock at the store yet, they are available for them in the warehouse to be brought in as part of their weekly store trucks.  Might call ahead or let me know what store is closest to you.  Where are you located?

~Bill

I'm in lodi, but I commute anywhere from Morgan hill to El Dorado Hills. Finding a store on my way home shouldn't be a problem


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I just looked at the Bass Pro black friday add again real close.  It looks like the Elite 5 (broadband) they are advertising for $300 does include the 83/200 transducer but does not appear to include the Gold cartography chip.  I'll revise if I see otherwise.

I'm in lodi, but I commute anywhere from Morgan hill to El Dorado Hills. Finding a store on my way home shouldn't be a problem


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I can set you up with someone at the West Marine in Stockton (I was the manager there for a few years) or the one in San Jose.  I visit the San Jose store often.

~Bill

That would be great. Let's see what Black Friday brings first. If nothing good comes up, I'll be picking up the HDI.


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Best Buy add is up. They have the Gopro Hero 3 Black for $249. I just bought one a month ago for $329. That's a killer deal.

Also a WD 2TB Portable HD for $99. That will hold a lot of video footage.


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