Hello Gents,
I am on the verge of getting a sonar, and am evaluating my options. I'd like to stay under $450. I fish primarily in LJ and would like a model that could actually detect fish, rather than just a depth finder. GPS is nice to have but maybe not worth the extra cash for me. I have pasted in a table (that I put together myself because no easy comparisons were available) of some new and older Lowrance sonars. The DSI models are new. You will see that all of the DSI models have 4000w PTP and 455/800 khz. The older Elite 5 and Elite 5x have the watts, but lower kiloherz. Also, the Mark 5X DSI seems to have the same sonar capability as the other DSI models, with a big discount for the black and white display.
If I had to decide today I would probably get the new Mark 5X DSI for $300. If I decided I need color then I would probably be choosing between the Elite 5X DSI or the older Elite 5 with lower khz but with GPS. These two options appear to be about the same price. (I got the prices from an online electronics store. I assume the older models will get cheaper as the new ones hit the market in the next few weeks.)
1st question: what is the benefit of higher kiloherz?
2nd question: How important is color
3rd question: How important is GPS for someone who is pretty good with lineups at LJ?
4th question: Should I go with a different brand of sonar? If so, what do you like in the $400 range that can actually tell me when a WSB or YT is under my kayak?
| Elite 5 | Elite 5X | Elite 5 DSI | Elite 5X DSI | Mark 5X DSI | Mark 5X Pro |
| Display Size | 5 in \ 127 mm | 5 in \ 127 mm | 5 in \ 127 mm | 5 in \ 127 mm | 5 in \ 127 mm | 5 in \ 127 mm |
| Display Resolution | 480x480 (H x W) | 480x480 (H x W) | 480x480 (H x W) | 480x480 (H x W) | 480x480 (H x W) | 480x480 (H x W) |
| | | | | | |
| Sonar Frequency | 83/200 kHz | 83/200 kHz | 455/800 kHz | 455/800 kHz | 455/800 kHz | 83/200 kHz |
| Sonar Output Power | Max 500W RMS, 4000W PTP W | Max 500W RMS, 4000W PTP W | Max Peak-To-Peak 4,000 W / RMS 500 W | Max Peak-To-Peak 4,000 W / RMS 500 W | Max Peak-To-Peak 4,000 W / RMS 500 W | Max 300W RMS, 2400W PTP W |
| Sonar Depth | Max 1000 ft \ 305 m | Max 1000 ft \ 305 m | Max 250 ft \ 76 m | Max 250 ft \ 76 m | Max 250 ft \ 76 m | Max 1000 ft \ 305 m |
| Price | $ 549 | $ 479 | 649 | $ 549 | $ 299 | $ 199 |
| GPS | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
Thanks! Tom