Elite DSI Question

I was talking to a member about their FF, the elite DSI. I was surprised to hear that it only has a DSI screen, navigation, map and split. I thought all FF started with a basic screen that shows depth and fish arches, and other things like DSI were extra features. I'm just curious. Is there a benefit to having just DSI? Does it show fish arches like a standard FF?

I was talking to a member about their FF, the elite DSI. I was surprised to hear that it only has a DSI screen, navigation, map and split. I thought all FF started with a basic screen that shows depth and fish arches, and other things like DSI were extra features. I'm just curious. Is there a benefit to having just DSI? Does it show fish arches like a standard FF?

They do sell dsi only model.  Useful for finding structure, not necessarily fish.  No arches on the dsi model

I found that interesting. What kind of fishing would benefit from only having DSI? Is that a bass thing?

I found that interesting. What kind of fishing would benefit from only having DSI? Is that a bass thing?

Any type of fishing or boating that o e would look for,or need to avoid, structure.  Bass would be one fishing example.  Rockfish would be another example.  Crappie.  There are other fish outside of Nor-Cal.  Heard there are fish in other countries too

I found that interesting. What kind of fishing would benefit from only having DSI? Is that a bass thing?

Any type of fishing or boating that o e would look for,or need to avoid, structure.  Bass would be one fishing example.  Rockfish would be another example.  Crappie.  There are other fish outside of Nor-Cal.  Heard there are fish in other countries too

The regular sonar setting shows structure. DSI shows a more detailed picture of the structure. Inside or outside of Nor-Cal, I guess I am surprised there would be a need for DSI only. It not a low end unit since it has GPS. I can understand the desire for DSI as an additional feature to better show the detail. Oh well, like I said, just curious.

I found that interesting. What kind of fishing would benefit from only having DSI? Is that a bass thing?

Any type of fishing or boating that o e would look for,or need to avoid, structure.  Bass would be one fishing example.  Rockfish would be another example.  Crappie.  There are other fish outside of Nor-Cal.  Heard there are fish in other countries too

The regular sonar setting shows structure. DSI shows a more detailed picture of the structure. Inside or outside of Nor-Cal, I guess I am surprised there would be a need for DSI only. It not a low end unit since it has GPS. I can understand the desire for DSI as an additional feature to better show the detail. Oh well, like I said, just curious.

There is enough of a market worldwide, apparently, to support their continued sale of a DSI/ GPS unit.  Yes, a regular sonar will show some level of structure but the frequency that dsi operates at is tuned specifically for definition (structure).  No harm in asking.  I'll do my best to answer when possible.

I guess fishing in other states and countries didn't help much to understand why anyone would say, hey I want a fishfinder and I only want DSI because the only thing important to me is the best possible image of the structure, I don't care about fish arches. I'm not saying it's wrong or bad, just surprising. I understand wanting DSI, just not leaving out the traditional sonar screen.

I guess fishing in other states and countries didn't help much to understand why anyone would say, hey I want a fishfinder and I only want DSI because the only thing important to me is the best possible image of the structure, I don't care about fish arches. I'm not saying it's wrong or bad, just surprising. I understand wanting DSI, just not leaving out the traditionalist sonar screen.

For the most part, it was offered as an either-or situation & then the next year combined as an all in one unit.  As a solo (dsi) only unit, it went away for a year or so but stayed as a combo (all in one).  This year it came back as a 3" entry level unit (no GPS) for about a $100 price point.  I'd assume the reason someone would buy dsi only would be $ driven more than anything or those who only want a high-end image and not have the computer decipher fish arches for them.  It's a tool, not the only tool.

It's apparent I didn't answer you question about structure.

You see ... If you target certain fish, and understand their behavior & environment, you can use a dsi only unit to help find said environment & maybe, just maybe, said target fish will be there & hungry.  If I was said fisherman & had the option to buy a dsi only unit at a lower cost than an all in one with dsi/chirp/gps, maybe I'd go that way.  I cannot speak for all buyers.  Seems it offered enough interest to the boating community as a whole for them to keep it around.  Other uses include boaters trying to prevent running aground (that aren't fisherman).  There are more boaters than boat based fisherman on a global scale.

I would say 75% of the time I am only looking for structure and don't care if I see fish or not. I know what fish want as habitat and will go off of that to catch fish. Most fish I catch I have never seen on the FF. If I could only have structure or arches I would choose structure.

I would say 75% of the time I am only looking for structure and don't care if I see fish or not. I know what fish want as habitat and will go off of that to catch fish. Most fish I catch I have never seen on the FF. If I could only have structure or arches I would choose structure.

That makes sense if you didn't have a choice. Maybe that was the thought behind it.

When I got it, I didn't realize it was just DSI.

For $100 though, I think it was a good start.

Gps, plotting, depth, structure, not sure if accurate thru hull water temp and if it manages to pick up fish it should display as "dots"....need to take it out on a Sierra lake with clear water so I can visually see what and how its displaying the things i can see under the yak.



Sent from my SM-S820L using Tapatalk

When I got it, I didn't realize it was just DSI.

For $100 though, I think it was a good start.

Gps, plotting, depth, structure, not sure if accurate thru hull water temp and if it manages to pick up fish it should display as "dots"....need to take it out on a Sierra lake with clear water so I can visually see what and how its displaying the things i can see under the yak.



Sent from my SM-S820L using Tapatalk

I think I won one in a raffle and sold it to my brother in law and I didn't realize what is was at the time either.

Fish are just small dots on the DSI and I'm guessing this is the reason why most people run it parallel to their sonar.  I started using just DSI for the first time on the salmon grounds and boy does it make a difference.  Fish can't hide...

Fish are just small dots on the DSI and I'm guessing this is the reason why most people run it parallel to their sonar.  I started using just DSI for the first time on the salmon grounds and boy does it make a difference.  Fish can't hide...

I'd like to hear more. I have a downscan screen on mine. How do you put it to its best use?