Lowrance Elite 5 TI - $300 transducer worth it?

I was recently gifted a Lowrance Elite5 TI.  I have the power cable but no transducer.  I stopped by West Marine today to check for a compatible transducer and the salesman told me that I needed the TotalScan skimmer transducer at a whopping $299.99 PLUS TAX!!!

Is this true and have to use that transducer with the Elite5 TI? If so, is it really worth it?  I can't use one of the other transom transducers?  I'm not even sure the TotalScan will fit in my Outback pod. 

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

- Kevin

Just check there website. Not a big fan of touch screen

 I have this lowrance transducer that came with my Hobie kayak in think it was used with a chirp or Hook 5x.
 I ended up buying and installing a $100 lowrance hook 4x and wasn’t compatible with this transducer.
Let me know if you think this will work for ya and I’ll check with DG to see what model it fits.

It won't fit in your outback pod without a berleypro cover. 

They're nice transducers, but only useful if you want the side scan functionality.  If you are only a downscan guy you can go with the lower model one.

The transducer the guy posted above will work for the Elite 5 TI - and is normally priced around $120 MSRP.  Should fit relatively easily in the transducer pod of an outback.

I have this lowrance transducer that came with my Hobie kayak in think it was used with a chirp or Hook 5x.
 I ended up buying and installing a $100 lowrance hook 4x and wasn’t compatible with this transducer.
Let me know if you think this will work for ya and I’ll check with DG to see what model it fits.

Thanks Salty, PM en route.

It won't fit in your outback pod without a berleypro cover. 

They're nice transducers, but only useful if you want the side scan functionality.  If you are only a downscan guy you can go with the lower model one.

The transducer the guy posted above will work for the Elite 5 TI - and is normally priced around $120 MSRP.  Should fit relatively easily in the transducer pod of an outback.

The transducer that Salty posted, I think will work but the plug doesn't plug into the back of the Elite 5 TI.  I'll have to cut the plug and solder it in.

Thanks for your help.

Kevin

It won't fit in your outback pod without a berleypro cover. 

They're nice transducers, but only useful if you want the side scan functionality.  If you are only a downscan guy you can go with the lower model one.

The transducer the guy posted above will work for the Elite 5 TI - and is normally priced around $120 MSRP.  Should fit relatively easily in the transducer pod of an outback.

The transducer that Salty posted, I think will work but the plug doesn't plug into the back of the Elite 5 TI.  I'll have to cut the plug and solder it in.

Thanks for your help.

Kevin

I thought cutting the wire wrecks them. At least that’s why I’ve got a bunch of extra wire looped around my FF and stuffed in the electronics pod.

Why would cutting wires wreck them?  Unless there's some specialized high tech going into these FFs, then I doubt cutting them and splicing/soldering them back to their correct pins would be fine.  I could see cutting them while powered or splicing them incorrectly could do damage to the head unit.

yo man, your Elite TI has the black "XSONIC" plug.  That transducer with the blue plug won't work.  I wouldn't bother splicing the wires too much hassle.  You can buy this adaptor plug:

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/lowrance--7-pin-to-9-pin-xsonic-transducer-adaptor-cable--18052340

Or buy any other XSONIC plug transducer.

I have this lowrance transducer that came with my Hobie kayak in think it was used with a chirp or Hook 5x.
 I ended up buying and installing a $100 lowrance hook 4x and wasn’t compatible with this transducer.
Let me know if you think this will work for ya and I’ll check with DG to see what model it fits.

If Simply doesn't take this off your hands I'm interested.

PM me if that falls through.

Thanks,
Antonio