Lowrance Elite 5 & 7 CHIRP

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

Good question. The short answer is yes, CHIRP is superior to standard HDI but Lowrance’s HDI transducers have the ability to operate a six frequencies. 83 or 200 for traditional sonar, 455 or 800 for down scan and Medium and High CHIRP ranges of 60-100 and 160-240, respectively. You can only utilize the CHRIP frequencies with the improved hardware and software found in the new Elite 7/5 CHRIP model, or through HDS products with the SonarHub black box. Because of the changing frequencies, CHRIP offers superior target separation and depth tracking (up to 60 mph!) than traditional sonar.

I hope this helps.

Mike

The Dragonfly xducer is ginormous. How big is the Lowrance xducer?

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

Nope....Elite 5xHDI $399......Elite 5xChirp $399     So why buy an HDI?

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

Nope....Elite 5xHDI $399......Elite 5xChirp $399     So why buy an HDI?

Nope.  $100 difference.  One includes a transducer & the other not @$399 price point.  Bam!  Lol

The Dragonfly xducer is ginormous. How big is the Lowrance xducer?

+1 does anyone have a picture or the spec sizes?

I can get you dimensions shortly.  The lowrance on is a lot smaller though! ( vs dragonfly)

I can get you dimensions shortly.  The lowrance on is a lot smaller though! ( vs dragonfly)

First post says uses HDI transducer. I can confirm it's considerably smaller than the Dragonfly but bigger than the Elite 5 transducer. The web seems to think it'll fit in the Hobie transducer hull port if that helps.

The Dragonfly transducer is just huge - something like 3x8.

FWIW, the Lowrance website video on the CHIRP performance is less than impressive. Minimal, if any, real improvement over their standard HDI, imo.

The Dragonfly xducer is ginormous. How big is the Lowrance xducer?

I've been using my Raymarine Dragonfly for a month now. No problem mounting in hull despite being 8 inches.  I just used it yesterday.  I own a Lowrance Elite 5 too.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=53610.0

I can get you dimensions shortly.  The lowrance on is a lot smaller though! ( vs dragonfly)

First post says uses HDI transducer. I can confirm it's considerably smaller than the Dragonfly but bigger than the Elite 5 transducer. The web seems to think it'll fit in the Hobie transducer hull port if that helps.

The Dragonfly transducer is just huge - something like 3x8.

FWIW, the Lowrance website video on the CHIRP performance is less than impressive. Minimal, if any, real improvement over their standard HDI, imo.

Chirp will have best performance in deeper water.  For us here in ca; salmon season.  It will have some minor improvement in shallows too but lowrance processor has been chirp-like for a number of years already.  It was post processing the data to achieve this. 

Again, this won't be "the ticket" for everyone here.  The hdi series is great in its own rite & isn't there to replace hdi.

Honestly, were on the cusp of great things with ff/GPS capabilities exploding faster than they have for many years!  We are all used to seeing the same things year after year after year.  Greatness is just beginning IMHO.

Bill

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

Nope....Elite 5xHDI $399......Elite 5xChirp $399     So why buy an HDI?

Nope.  $100 difference.  One includes a transducer & the other not @$399 price point.  Bam!  Lol

Kinda cagey pricing. I must say though, knowing that definitely eases my pain a bit, plus I'm mostly in relatively shallow water.  That's twice this year you've been right.      You're on a roll.

Cagey pricing? 

Cagey pricing?

Elusive....evasive?  Their leading pages all just have one price listed, with no identifiers, even though all the units usually have 3 prices depending whether the price includes a transducer or if included, which transducer. They must flip a coin on what to show on the front page.

Correct.  Ok.  I'm with you.

   Not to mention that their site is MSRP which may or may not be actual retail.

Bill

I wanted to see what the screen looked like on the Elite-7x so I did a Google search  "elite-7x youtube".
I think the fish finder must come with some type of new lure 

 

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

This should have a video on the page for the link above (chirp model)