I am going to buy either an HDS5 or an Elite 5 HDI. As far as just the broadband traditional sonar is concerned is the difference in theses two units significant? Will the Elite do as good a job on broadband as the HDS?
If you can afford it, Go with bigger screen on either unit! I think 5" is to small especaly if you are older and split the screen.
It’s the same broadband technology and screen resolution on both. The Elite series is just a scaled down cheaper version of the HDS. It doesn’t have features like the ability to add structure scan and it does not have an Ethernet port if that is something you care about. It does however have DSI built in.
There are definately differences, but broadband operation should be similar. Murraymaker recently posted a E-7 screen shot in the Striper Reports forum. It seems like the Elite series is pretty much what would be their Eagle brand years ago.
A bigger screen was the major factor for me and I don’t care about sidescan, so an E7 was an easy choice for me and my budget and I’ve been happy with it, but the majority of people I know go with HDS. Everyone has different wants and it’s all just a matter of what features are important to you and what you are willing to pay for them.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
No matter how bad the itch is to buy a new unit save the money and buy no smaller than a 7" screen. Whether it be the HDS which is my choice or the Elite it will pay off to have the bigger screen.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
I’ve had a 10 " screen Lowrance for 4 Years and will replace it with a 12" Simrad next spring!