Lowrance Elite 5 & 7 CHIRP

Yes, the much awaited for Lowrance Elite 5 & Elite 7 HDI units now feature CHIRP!!!!

   Here's a couple links to some helpful information:

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Elite/
http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Fishfinder-Chartplotter/Elite-5-CHIRP-Gold-en-us.aspx
http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Fishfinder-Chartplotter/Elite-7-CHIRP-Gold-en-us.aspx

Uses the same HDI transducer already being used in the current models.

Basic Overview of CHIRP features:

Elite CHIRP Sonar Features
 
Available only on the Elite-5 CHIRP and Elite-7 CHIRP models.
 
 
 
CHIRP sonar advantages:

 Easier to identify and distinguish bait and game fish targets
Better target identification at greater depths
Mark fish clearly at faster boat speeds
 

Exclusive Elite-7 CHIRP advantages:
 Multiple CHIRP settings from a single transducer
 CHIRP sonar performance with a greater number of affordable transducers, including the Lowrance HDI Skimmer®
 View multiple CHIRP sonar settings on one display

Heard about this a couple weeks ago. Will be checking them out

Had to keep in a "wrap" for a while now.

   Public Now!

"Much awaited"??  Didn't know. Well THAT sucks...I just got my 5xHDI 4 weeks ago.

Been a lot of people waiting for a "stand alone" CHIRP unit thru Lowrance.  They've had a CHIRP module for a bit now, but not for an all-in-one unit (aka. Elite Series).  Like a lot of electronics, there's always something new coming out.  The Elite 5 HDI you have is still a current unit.  For those who want CHIRP technology (~$100 more), it is now available ... that's all.

Would love for one of these instead !

Been a lot of people waiting for a "stand alone" CHIRP unit thru Lowrance.  They've had a CHIRP module for a bit now, but not for an all-in-one unit (aka. Elite Series).  Like a lot of electronics, there's always something new coming out.  The Elite 5 HDI you have is still a current unit.  For those who want CHIRP technology (~$100 more), it is now available ... that's all.

5xHDI and 5xChirp are the same price. There is zero reason to purchase a 5xHDI now.

Been a lot of people waiting for a "stand alone" CHIRP unit thru Lowrance.  They've had a CHIRP module for a bit now, but not for an all-in-one unit (aka. Elite Series).  Like a lot of electronics, there's always something new coming out.  The Elite 5 HDI you have is still a current unit.  For those who want CHIRP technology (~$100 more), it is now available ... that's all.

5xHDI and 5xChirp are the same price. There is zero reason to purchase a 5xHDI now.

I see a $100 difference in MSRP on Lowrance site.  Make sure you aren't comparing the Elite 5 HDO GOLD package to the new Elite 5 CHIRP (non-gold) which could/would explain a $100 difference making them + (but not equal).

Bill

"Much awaited"??  Didn't know. Well THAT sucks...I just got my 5xHDI 4 weeks ago.

+1 

June?  Not available until June?  I want one now.

The 7 is available NOW.  The 5 are scheduled for late May.

Good things...

Current promotions:
·         Lowrance - Dropped MAP price on HDS 5 models
·         Lowrance - $200 Mail in rebate on all HDS Touch models – 2/13 – 4/6 – Ends this Sunday
·         Lowrance - $300 Mail in rebate on HDS 7, 8 & 10 keypad/LSS2 bundles – 2/13 – 4/21
·         NEW Lowrance rebate begins April 7th – Details to follow
·         Simrad - $200 Mail in rebate on NSS 12 – 2/13 – 4/6  – Ends this Sunday
·         Simrad - $150 Mail in rebate on NSS 8 & 7 – 2/13 – 4/6 – Ends this Sunday
·         NEW Simrad rebate begins April 7th – Details to follow
·         B&G - $500 Mail in rebate on Zeus 12 – 2/13 – 4/6 – Ends this Sunday
·         B&G - $300 Mail in rebate on Zeus 8 – 2/13 – 4/6 – Ends this Sunday
·         B&G - $200 Mail in rebate on Zeus 12 Touch – 2/13 – 4/6 – Ends this Sunday
·         B&G - $150 Mail in rebate on Zeus Touch 7 & 8 – 2/13 – 4/6 – Ends this Sunday
 
Upcoming product release dates (Until released these dates may change)
·         Elite 7 CHIRP: NOW SHIPPING   Learn more at - http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Elite/
·         NSS 7 evo2: NOW SHIPPING
·         RS90 Radio: NOW SHIPPING
·         Zeus2 7: NOW SHIPPING
·         NSS 9 evo2: 4/30/14
·         NSS 12 evo2: 6/30/14
·         NSS 16 evo2: 6/30/14
·         Zeus2 9: 4/17/14
·         Zeus 12: 7/13/14
·         H5000: TBD
 
Current software update versions:
No New Updates since last month
Lowrance:
·         HDS Touch: 2.5 - NEW
·         HDS Keypad: 2.5 - NEW
·         HDS Gen 1: 4.1.38.68
·         Elite 7: 2.0
·         Elite 5: 3.6.0
·         Elite 4: 1.8.0
·         Point 1: 1.4

Is the chirp tech better than HDI?  I don't know much about it--and figured there are probably others wondering the same thing.

The unit still has HDI, what CHIRP does is (basically) modulates the frequency in order to achieve a better image in "standard" [broadband] and "DSI" [downscan or structure scan] (thus making up HDI) to achieve even better target separation AND better deep water performance.  The same technology is used by recreational and commercial sounders to reach depths (and target fish/structure) in excess of 10,000 feet.  I'm SURE there is a much better definition of CHIRP but this is the basics of it.

"Much awaited"??  Didn't know. Well THAT sucks...I just got my 5xHDI 4 weeks ago.

+1 

It's ok Dan. As your friend, I would take that "outdated" piece of equipment you have for $150 so you can upgrade.