Those considering HDI 5 Lowrence

http://www.gpscity.com/lowrance-elite-5-hdi-with-50-200-khz-and-455-800-khz-transducer.html

Pretty good price. I am guessing they are flushing them out to replace with CHIRP models.

That is a good price for the 50/200 transducer model, but I thought the 50 vs 83KHz transducers were for deeper water; over 100ft deep or the cone of coverage would be too narrow. 

Great price I'm leaning towards the raymarine

No GPS only fish finder? Looked at this in sportsmans whorehouse. Unless it states gps it does not have it... Seems like they are deliberatly vague. Selling units w/no transducer. W/O gps and no clear verbage on packaging

I hope it has GPS on it. Otherwise its a dud.
But I think this one does. It nust comes with a base map.

No GPS only fish finder? Looked at this in sportsmans whorehouse. Unless it states gps it does not have it... Seems like they are deliberatly vague. Selling units w/no transducer. W/O gps and no clear verbage on packaging

The description says it has GPS and describes it in detail. The product description also says two transducers in the box. Ron may be referring to some other package.

Here's how you can tell if it is GPS only, FF only or both FF/GPS.  If it says, for example, Elite 5x ... fishfinder only.  If it says Elite 5m ... GPS only.  The 'X' refers to transducer (ie. it is a fishfinder only).  The 'M' refers to map (ie. it is a GPS only).  If it just states Elite 5 HDI, then it is both GPS/FF.

As for how "tricky" some retailers are with their verbage, package contents, etc ....  YES, this is a little problem.  They can state what it is capable of, such as broadband and downscan, yet not include a transducer.  Key word being "capable".  The ONLY & BEST way to ensure you are buying what you think you are buying is to verify the Lowrance P/N & cross reference it on the Lowrance site to know what they are selling you.  There are at least 9 different Elite 5 HDI (gps & FF) packages that range in MSRP from $349 & this doesn't take in consideration the 'x', 'm', Ice Machine or CHIRP models.  Just counted at least 27 different, current, Elite 5 models in all (as assigned with different package P/N's).  The only Elite 5 model that does not have GPS is the Elite 5x and it will say 'Elite 5x' right on the face of the unit.  Why so many different packages?  Some are ff only, gps only, no map, with map, no transducer, with transducer, alternative maps, ice package, with CHIRP, no chirp, etc...

Cross reference the Lowrance P/N's!

As for 83/200 vs 50/200, I prefer to suggest 50/200 over the 83/200 if you are fishing in water over 100' (salt) most of the time.  the narrower beam angle won't really be that big of an issue.  If you choose an HDI unit, you can split your screen to see broadband (narrow beam angle) AND DSI (wide beam angle) at the same time anyways.  Best of both worlds.

In shallower water, you can run two different frequencies in DSI (down-scan imaging) at the same time & show BOTH on the screen at the same time.  Heck, you can even overlay that on top of the regular broadband fishfinder screen ... both features the dragonfly hasn't added yet.

Come to the LRC & see some of these units in action.  I'll try & bring some loaner heads for those who have the Elite 4 & want to try out an Elite 5 (non-HDI units) since they have the same mounting bracket.  Might even bring my Elite 7 HDI for someone to use since I won't be fishing.

Bill

Thanks for the clarification! Makes it a lot easier to figure out....

I think the "Lineup" of products will start to thin out as CHIRP becomes more of 'the standard'.  They released a LOT of units in a very short time.  Now it's time to weed out some of the units & refine the focus a bit.

Always here to help you "focus" on which unit might be best suited.

Dang that IS a sweet deal! Hmmmm...$379 for the Elite 5 HDI w/free shipping.
To be clear though, this unit comes with one transducer: the HDI transducer that operates 50/200 & 455/800kHz...compared to the less expensive 83/200 & 455/800 transducer. And btw the lower frequencies produce wider cone angles; higher frequencies produce narrower cone angles...not the other way around.

Dang that IS a sweet deal! Hmmmm...$379 for the Elite 5 HDI w/free shipping.
To be clear though, this unit comes with one transducer: the HDI transducer that operates 50/200 & 455/800kHz...compared to the less expensive 83/200 & 455/800 transducer. And btw the lower frequencies produce wider cone angles; higher frequencies produce narrower cone angles...not the other way around.

Forgot to mention the "it's one transducer" thing.  Good catch Pat.

The 455/800 is a wide angle, but not a cone shape like 50/83/200 is.  It's actually flat ... sort of a fan pattern.

At this time , strangely the 50/200 is much cheaper than 83/200 at the gpscity. That's why I bothered to mention.

That IS odd.  Usually it's about $100 more (roughly ... I'm not a sales guy)

Here's a few numbers I just pulled from the Lowrance site on Transducer beam angles.

83/200 HDI Transducer
   83 @ 52° //  200 @ 22°  (cone angle)

50/200 HDI Transducer
   50 @ 12°  //  200 @ 29°   (cone angle)

455/800 Freq on HDI
   455 @ 6.4°  //  800 @ 12°  Bear in mind that these tight degrees are not a cone angle.  This is the fore/aft angle & they shoot in a WIDE fan but narrow fore/aft.  This will give you the best results of what is RIGHT under you as far as fore/aft is concerned with great left/right "side imaging"

Great info!
But I think the cone angle @ 50khz is bigger than 12*
And yeah the 50/200 transducer is usually an extra $100...this is a sweet deal.