Lowrance GPS / FF

I went to the Fred Hall fishing show today in SoCal (Long Beach), specifically looking for a GPS/FF and not really knowing much about them. 

I currently have a really low-end Lowrance X-4 FF (no GPS) but after some "fun" in the fog in Humboldt and strong suggestions from friends there, I realized I NEEDED a GPS, both for safety in the unpredictable fog, and for the fun of plotting locations and using the combined technology of FF/GPS.

So I went to the show today, took the Lowrance class, spent a lot of time asking questions, visiting vendor booths and the Lowrance booth --   And at the end of the day, I bought this one from TrollingMotorDoctorx in Long Beach.

http://www.lowrance.com/en-SG/Products/Fishfinder-Chartplotter/Elite-4-HDI-en-sg.aspx

Now for the fun (grit my teeth) of yanking out the old and installing the new.  I don't have any of the mounting stuff figured out yet, and haven't landed on the right battery pack solution.  But I figured I could poke around here and ask questions about the rigging from folks who have one. I used the Hobie install kit on my first one and did that myself.  I'll be poking around the site for advice, but anyone have one of these?     Let the fun begin.

Oh yeah -- I also bought a sabiki rod and an umbrella bait net. The sabiki rod was something I meant to get, but the umbrella bait net was an impulse purchase.  (A fool and his money). 

Dave

Dave,  here is the best situation for you yak... Battery Box Complete Power System form   

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-238/Battery-Box-Complete-Power/Detail

I would order some closed cell foam and build a pad inside your hatch to secure the box.  Hope this helps

Chris

Rammount has swivel arm mounts designed to use the quick release of Lowrance. As for the battery, I'd get your finder, find it's true amp draw and then size the battery to that. The typical 7Ah and 9Ah may be a little small for some of the new depthfinders.

A 7-9ah battery is suitable for a Lowrance unit; typical fishing day.

Was Steve or Scott teaching the Lowrance class?

Bill

A 7-9ah battery is suitable for a Lowrance unit; typical fishing day.

Was Steve or Scott teaching the Lowrance class?

Bill

I'm far from the battery expert but they will argue with you on that, and have I think. Some of the new ones are rated at 1amp which if true would give you a half day unless you drain your battery past 50% which everyone says kills the batteries if done continuously.

Thanks all -- especially the pix, Chris.  I used the hobie kit to install my current FF .. a Lowrance X-4.  There's a ball and some hardware.  I'm hoping I can adapt the current set-up for the new unit but am going to wait until I have it in hand to make that decision. 

I'll take pictures and post -- for any suggestions/hand-holding.  (It freaked me out to drill my first holes in the kayak.)   I have the smallest hobie mirage sport so it's going to take a side mount -- .

I'm going to ask around for lots of advice on the battery -- these all look like good ways to go -- especially that ready-made-container.  I'm not sure it will fit through the front hatch of my very little kayak.

I'm still planning on a similar install with the transducer inside the hull , where I have it now -- forward of the pedals, although I do see some cavitation from the pedals. 

I am buying this from the Trolling Motor DoctorX in Long Beach and I can go bug them for help, since they are nearby.  I do not have the unit in hand yet, but should be able to pick it up, in person, tomorrow or Tuesday of this week.

-- I don't remember the names of the two guys who taught the course.  They taught it on the 9" touch-screen system, but it still helped inform my purchase and gave me some useful tips that should cross over to this unit.  One guy was a party-boat skipper (retired) and the other was a "bass pro" but I simply forgot their names.   

It was a good class.  I wish they would have a Lowrance class for kayak folks like us at the show.  That would be a winner! -- I went to the show specifically for this.

Thanks again -- all recommendations/suggestions welcomed.   

Dave

I missed the part where you'd actually bought the Elite 4 HDI. You're gonna love it. My 5x HDI's rated at 1.1amps but only draws less than .5amps. Yours is rated at .75amps and should likely draw way less too. Bill's probably right then, a 9Ah battery would work well.

Of course I'm right

At 1.1amps is everything on, full throttle output & screen brireness.  You should run "normal" around .5amps on the Elite 4 or 5 HDI.  Depending where I fish, I often turn if off for periods of time; when fishing in kelp for example or over structure since I'm "where I want to be".

Bill

Of course I'm right    

At 1.1amps is everything on, full throttle output & screen brireness.  You should run "normal" around .5amps on the Elite 4 or 5 HDI.  Depending where I fish, I often turn if off for periods of time; when fishing in kelp for example or over structure since I'm "where I want to be".

Bill

I had full briteness and everything else I could get working on, and it bounced between around .35 and .45. Mine's a 5x...doesn't have GPS....but they're both rated the same I think....that seems odd.  I'm still having too much fun with it to turn it off though.  I still even have it on out of the water sometimes.   

As far you being right...that sucks...there's always tomorrow

That's my 1 time to be right for 2014. Lol

Lowrance is quite lite on power consumption.  The GPS does use a little more juice for the antenna and extra processing.

Bill