Lowrance Elite-5 Ti CHIRP StructureScan with BaseMaps

The Elite-5 Ti is one of the Lowrance discontinued units. It’s a fish finder and chartplotter featuring structure scanning sonar, GPS, and charts. For reference, this is the Lowrance part number 000-12423-001, the one that comes with the TotalScan transducer and basemaps.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 5″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel matrix, 16:9 aspect ratio, WVGA color TFT, with adjustable LED backlight
• Sonar: 2D CHIRP, StructureScan (SideScan and DownScan)
• Depth Capability:
  • 1,000 ft (305 m) for the CHIRP sonar
  • 300 ft. (91 m) for DownScan and SideScan
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • 50/83/200/455/800 kHz
  • 300′ (91 m) on each side – 455 kHz SideScan
  • 100′ (30 m) on each side – 800 kHz SideScan
• Transducer: TotalScan, transom mount, number 000-12568-001
• Power Output: Max 500 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 12 VDC (10-17 vDC min-max)
• GPS: 10 Hz internal, WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS
• Maps: Enhanced Elite BaseMaps
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 3,000, 100 (10,000 points per trail)

Sonar and transducer

The first aspect to be clarified regarding this Lowrance Elite unit is the fact that it only uses CHIRP technology for its 2D sonar, and not for SideScan or DownScan. Therefore, in case you’re looking for a unit that can use CHIRP for side view or down view sonar, the Striker 7sv from Garmin is a good example. However, the Striker unit has much less to offer than the Striker unit. It’s capable of 50/83/200 kHz frequencies for 2D sonar, and 455/800 kHz frequencies for StructureScan. It’s also capable of Low, Med and High CHIRP modulation. However, with the TotalScan transducer, the unit will be capable of using only High and Med CHIRP, and of course, in case you want to use the 2D standard mode (without CHIRP), it will use the 83/200 kHz frequencies. It’s a dual-frequency unit though, and therefore you can use both 2D frequencies simultaneously, and observe them in split-screen.

The new, TotalScan Skimmer transducer (000-12568-001) supplied with this unit, is pretty similar to the LSS-2. It has the same 10.2″ (26 cm) length. The only difference is that the TotalScan transducer can also work with 2D sonar; it’s not just for StructureScan. This transducer integrates a temperature sensor. It comes with 24′ (7.4 m) of cable and a transom mount.

For SideScan this transducer uses thin, fan-shaped beams, which extend up to 300′ (91 m) on each side of the boat when using the 455 kHz mode. For 800 kHz there’s less side-to-side coverage, the beams extending only up to 100′ (30 m), but the images are crispier. The DownScan beams are also fan-shaped, razor-thin, but scan directly under the boat.

With the supplied transducer, this unit should be able to scan depths up to 1,000 ft (305 m), while for StructureScan, the average depths is 300 ft (91 m). Of course, with a 50/200 kHz transducer, it can reach depths of 3,000 ft (914 m). Also, when it comes to the vessel’s speed, the system should be able to maintain a bottom lock and offer sonar returns at speeds up to 35 MPH in SideScan and 55 MPH in DownScan. However, the optimal speed recommended for crisp-clear imaging, accurate target separation, and target definition is up to 6-7 MPH, for all types of sonar.

This unit offers quite a few sonar-related functions. Among them, we can count TrackBack, Bottom Lock, Fish ID, Flasher, Amplitude Scope, Temperature Graph, DownScan Overlay, and others. In case you don’t know what these features can do, here’s a short presentation of each one of them.

Fish ID is a function that assigns fish icons to the suspended targets. Evidently, not each and every target that has been interpreted as fish and given a fish symbol is actually a fish. But still, this function can help you get a better picture of the fish targets under the boat.

Amplitude Scope is a vertical flasher function that indicates the strength of the returns caught by the most recent sonar echo. However, there’s also a Circular Flasher function, displaying the sonar returns in a ring, abstract view, with the strength of the returns on the rings. This function is great to use when fishing in stationary mode.

Bottom Lock is a function that will keep a “close look to the bottom”. In other words, you can select a certain distance interval from the bottom up, and set up your unit to maintain this range. Evidently, it’s best to use it when looking for fish close to the bottom.

DownScan Overlay gives you the possibility to blend DownScan with the 2D sonar view, in order to see the fish arches better in relation to structure.

TrackBack is basically a sonar recording. The unit can record the sonar log, which can be rewind as well. This way, in case you want to have another look at a specific spot, you can use this function, without having to turn the boat around, and re-scan that particular spot, mark it with a waypoint and revisit later, or simply save the recorded sonar log on an SD card to upload it online, show your friends etc.

Last but not least, there also are several sonar alarms, such as Fish Alarm or Shallow Depth Alarm.

Navigation functions

This unit integrates a 10 Hz GPS module, WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS capable. However, it comes only with the Lowrance Basemaps package, maps that don’t offer a lot of detail. They’re not exactly the best tool for boating, but still, they offer the necessary support for navigation awareness, waypoints, routes, and tracks. They cover with basic contours more than 3,000 U.S. lakes, rivers and coastal waters, contours up to 1,000.

Speaking of waypoints, the unit can save up to 3,000 waypoints, 100 routes, and 100 trails. Each trail can contain up to 10,000 points. Trails can also be converted to routes, which you can retrace, add new waypoints to them, etc.

For navigation, the unit offers several alarms, including No GPS Fix, Arrival, XTE, Low Boat Speed, Anchor and Waypoint Radius.

This unit is compatible with various custom maps. For example, it can use Lake Insight, Navionics Gold and HotMaps Premium, Nautic Insight PRO and HD, Fishing HotSpots PRO, C-Map Max-N by Jeppesen, and of course Insight Genesis custom maps.

Control unit features

The two iconic features of the Elite-5 Ti fish finder and GPS combo, are its touchscreen display and Bluetooth technology. Navigation through the unit’s menus is done mostly via touchscreen, similar to a tablet or smartphone. It’s also Bluetooth capable. Thus, you can sync and control its interface wirelessly from your phone or tablet, access the GoFree Shop, upload sonar logs online to create maps at Insight Genesis, download software updates, etc.

As the name of the unit suggests, it’s a 5-inch display unit, but it features an 800 x 480 pixel matrix (16:9 ratio), offering clearer images than the previous units. The split-screen presentation allows up to 3 panels views, the unit offering quick customization in for this matter. It uses PureWhite LED backlight for superior readability even in direct sunlight. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, with all its connectors sealed, being able to withstand splashes, rain and even occasional immersions.

In terms of connectivity, this unit is pretty similar to the older Elite-5 unit. It has one NMEA 0183 output, and a microSD card reader with one card slot, which can take cards up to 32GB. It does not have NMEA 2000 outs though.

The box also includes mounting bracket (QRB-5), and power cable (000-0127-49).

The Pros

• CHIRP 2D sonar, DownScan, and SideScan;
• TotalScan transducer included;
• 3,000 ft. depth capability;
• Fast chart updates, fast navigation through menus;
• Easy to use touchscreen navigation;
• 3-panel view presentation possibilities;
• Super-bright display, excellent readability;
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity;
• MicroSD card slot reader for data backup and transfer;
• NMEA 0183 connectivity;
• Various sonar functions, such as DownScan Overlay, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Fish ID, etc;
• TrackBack (sonar recording);
• High precision, 10 Hz GPS;
• Compatible with a wide array of custom charts, including Nautic Insight PRO and HD, Navionics HotMaps Premium, Fishing HotSpots Pro, Lake Insight PRO and HD, C-Map Max-N by Jeppesen, and Insight Genesis;
• GPS and sonar overlay data possibilities, via Insight Genesis;
• Available in 36 language packs;
• Fairly easy to install;
• Warranty 1 year.

The Cons

• No unit cover;
• Manual is not specific to the Elite-5 Ti. It covers the Elite-7 Ti as well, and some of the info in it does not apply to this particular unit;
• Touchscreen technology can also be a downside. When fishing, you’ll have to wash hands constantly, as the screen will get really messy otherwise.

Summary

The Elite-5 Ti is quite a complete fish finder and GPS unit, with an impressive array of features and functions for a 5-inch model. It makes a great choice for anyone using small or even medium-sized boats. Since it offers CHIRP sonar and it’s compatible with various transducers, it’s a great unit for both fresh and saltwater fishing. Therefore, considering that it offers 2D CHIRP sonar, StructureScan, touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and the new TotalScan transducer is included, we can safely say it comes with an excellent price/quality ratio.