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Posts: 386
| Hey guys, in the market for a new unit and trying to decide whether to go HDS 7 or Elite 7. The Elite 7 would give me HDI imaging, and I can't afford the structure scan for the HDS 7 ($400 more than without it and $550 more than the elite 7 with it).
I know the HDS has a faster processor, may be more reliable (?), and has a 2 year warranty instead of one (Elite 7 has one year). Then again, the elite 7 has a bigger screen, HDI imaging, and costs $150 less.
What to do, what to do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. |
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Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI | I have an elite 7 and a hds 5 and from a mapping standpoint, the hds is much nicer. I run the same chip in both so they should be the same, but the hds would consistently show more detail than the elite. I now see the elite has an upgrade so I downloaded that so maybe that will fix the issue. The screen size is very nice with the elite but I would say the hds is worth the extra coin. |
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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | The HDS gives you more options of upgrading in the future. If you wanted to add structure scan, wifi, sonic hub, etc you can. The elite is a stand alone unit, you can't add to it. |
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Posts: 27
| I previously had a lot of negative things to say about the mapping with the elite 7, and specifically the gold package/chip. Lowrance has just come out with a new update version 3.0 which allows for a "fish in chip" level. This allows the new navionics updates chip that includes the "sonarcharts" which includes the hd bathomyetry to processed. Issues seem to be resolved.....Very impressive map detail available and compatible now, and the same detail that is available to the hds units. If you are running a stand alone unit, then go with the elite 7, if you plan on networking units, go with the hds. |
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Posts: 163
Location: NoDak | have a hds gen 2, 5 inch, and use 2 HDI 7's, i notice the colors are a bit "better" in the hds, and the buttons are better feeling/pushing on the hds, but i would rather buy 10 hdi7's over 6 hds... that being said the humming bird options are out there havent used my new 959 yet but when pairing that to my new minkota with ipilot LINK so it will drive down my break lines by its self seems sweet, also with a lake master chip i allready love the water level ajustment/ shallow water highlight/ target depth highlight,( my favorite lake is flat to 7 feet even 400 yards off shoreline, then varrying amounts of grade on the breaks, i will have the red shallow water mark out to 7 feet, so when i add the green target depth hilight it will give me more contrast) if i want to fish 12-16 feet i can select 14 feet and add 2 feet both ways and at a glance the map will be much easyer to see where i wanna be, you can get a humminbird 858 or 859 for $650 look into it, also the hdi sonars are very easy to use and manipulate because they have a few less bells and wistles |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | I have two elite 7s and love them. I agree that because I have early models I had to update my software. That made the unit faster and allowed for more detail in mapping. And to be honest the base map it comes with is pretty decent. My buddie has an hds 7 with LSS 2 and we both think the downscan works as well as his structure scan minus the side scan. My thought is unless you have structure scan you are better off with the elite. Also if you buy one at scheels and use there credit card they give you an additional year warranty. Although the sportsman can get you them cheaper. |
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Posts: 228
| I would like Minn Kota to put an HDI transducer in their trolling motors as an option! From what I hear, you must put the transducer on the hull. I like my thru hull transducer and the US2 on the trolling motor! |
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Posts: 163
Location: NoDak | i like that idea too, but im ok wth 2d, but i want a bow mount 360 imaging that i can deploy manualy next to my terova would have to buy a new 1199 too think about it minnkota! |
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Posts: 228
| I had a fishfinder transducer on my Power Drive trolling motor. After wrapping it around and breaking the transducer cable, I will not do that again! |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | I bought the trolling motor mount for the hdi transducer. Works perfect. Low profile too. |
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Posts: 228
| The transducer cable is ALWAYS in the way on a Power Drive trolling motor. After wrapping a cable around it and breaking it, I won't use a trolling motor transducer on it! |
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Lowrance HDS 7 or Elite 7 HDI?