Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 HDI US Inland Basemap

The Elite-7 Ti2 is one of the units released by Lowrance for 2019. The unit itself is a lot similar to the older Elite-7 Ti but includes several new extra features, such as Genesis Live and an Ethernet port. Like most other Lowrance units, the Elite-7 Ti2 is available in various bundles with different transducers and charts. In this post, we’re going to address the Elite-7 Ti2 part number 000-14634-001. This one includes the HDI transducer (for 2D CHIRP and DownScan only) and the basic US Inland charts.

Key Features and Specifications

• Screen: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color TFT, with adjustable LED backlight
• Sonar: Active Imaging 3-in-1 (2D CHIRP/DownScan/SideScan)
• Transducer: HDI Skimmer (2D CHIRP/DownScan)
• Frequency and Coverage (with the included transducer):
  2D CHIRP: 83 kHz (52°) / 200 kHz (22°)
  DownScan: 455 kHz (56°) / 800 kHz (32°)
• Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  2D CHIRP: 1,000′ (305 m)
  DownScan: 350′ (106 m)
• Power Output: Max 500 Watts (RMS)
• Supply Voltage: 12 VDC (10.8-17 VDC min-max)
• GPS: 10 Hz internal, 16 channels
• Maps: C-MAP US Inland Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 3,000, 100 (10,000 points per trail)

Sonar and transducer

The Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 has Active Imaging™ 3-in-1 sonar, which means it supports traditional 2D CHIRP, DownScan, and SideScan imaging. However, as we’ve mentioned above, this is the 000-14634-001 bundle, so the unit comes with the Mid/High HDI transducer, which only supports 2D CHIRP and DownScan. In order to use SideScan imaging, you will either need the new Active Imaging™ 3-in-1 transducer or the TotalScan transducer. The unit is not capable of ForwardScan imaging.

The included HDI skimmer is a plastic transducer and includes a transom mount and a trolling motor mount. It also integrates a temperature sensor. It is capable of 83/200 kHz for 2D CHIRP (the CHIRP intervals are not specified), while for DownScan, it is capable of 455/800 kHz. The unit itself also supports 50 kHz CHIRP transducers, in case you need to scan greater depths.

For the unit’s 2D traditional sonar, the included HDI skimmer uses conical beams. Their coverage is approx. 52° @ 83 kHz, and 22° at 200 kHz. The maximum depth capability for 2D is approx. 1,000′ (305 m). For DownScan, this transducer uses thin beams, only 1°-2° fore-aft, but wider side-to-side. Their approximate coverage is 56° @ 455 kHz, and 32° @ 800 kHz. Also, the maximum depth capability that the DownScan beams can reach is 350′ (106 m).

The unit offers a wide array of standard sonar features. To begin with, it has the new FishReveal™ feature. FishReveal brings all the fish arches detected by the 2D sonar into the DownScan Imaging. Therefore, it allows you to easily see the fish in relation to the better-detailed structure, vegetation, or the bottom.

Overlay DownScan still available with this new unit. This feature is different than the FishReveal mode. When in use, the 2D sonar panel expands and includes basic DownScan options.

The list of sonar features doesn’t end here. The unit can record sonar, and you can either save the sonar log in the unit’s memory or on a memory microSD card. And among other features, we can count A-Scope, Fish ID, Circular Flasher for ice fishing, Bottom Lock, Depth Alarm, and more.

Navigation features

The Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 is equipped with a 16-channel, 10 Hz internal GPS receiver. This means that it provides position updates 10 times per second. It can provide position enhancements via WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS. It also has a GPS speed feature and can calculate the speed of your boat based on the GPS input.

In terms of waypoints, you can save up to 3,000 in its memory or on a microSD card if you use one. Route creation and track plotting functions are also available. The unit offers the possibility to create and save up to 100 routes and record up to 100 trails in its memory. Each trail can have 10,000 plot points.

In terms of charts, the unit includes the U.S. Inland Basemap, which is based on the C-MAP charts. These maps cover more than 4,000 US lakes with 1-foot contours. They don’t offer super detail, but they do show the boundaries between water and land pretty clearly, also making it easier to narrow your search for productive water and to locate fishing hot spots like ledges, drop-offs, and cover.

The unit’s chart base can always be upgraded, though. It is compatible with Navionics Gold, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, C-MAP MAX-N, C-MAP MAX-N+, or Insight Pro and Insight HD.

But one of the best new features included with this unit is Genesis Live. This feature is similar to the AutoChart Live from Humminbird, and the Quickdraw Contours from Garmin. It gives you the possibility to update the maps of your favorite lakes and fishing spots with 1/2′ contours in real-time as you sail your boat. In terms of detail, it can reveal drop-offs, ditches, and other points that can make great fishing spots. It offers quite a level of customization, allowing you to control transparency, contour density, add safety shading, and more.

With regards to Genesis Live, it is important to mention that the contours are recorded and used from the unit’s memory card. Therefore, you will need at least a blank memory card inserted into the unit, and whenever it is removed or it runs out of space, the feature will stop from recording. Also, Genesis Live is most effective and provides the best accuracy when sailing at speeds up to 20 knots.

In terms of other navigation features, the Elite-7 Ti2 has the SmartSteer function, offering autopilot and other functions for MotorGuide Xi5/Xi3 trolling motors; however, this requires MotorGuide PinPoint Gateway. The Autopilot can automatically control the trolling motor to navigate to a certain cursor position, waypoint, or follow a pre-defined route or pattern. It also provides control for Power-Pole anchors. Last but not least, the unit supports AIS data with chart overlay and target vessel details. However, it does not support Radar.

Control unit features and networking capabilities

First of all, this Lowrance fish finder features a 7-inch display, with a pixel matrix of 800H x 480V, TFT color. It has LED backlight and provides excellent readability in direct sunlight and from angles as sharp as 85°. It is also IPX7 waterproof.

The unit has a touchscreen interface but also has several buttons on the right, so you can control at least a few functions from them. Its interface and operating system are very easy to use and highly customizable. There are split-screen options of up to 4 panels per view, so you can basically work with four applications simultaneously. Navigation through menus or zooming is pretty fast. The sizes of the values on the screen, such as depth, for example, are also customizable and you can change their position by dragging them in the locations where you want them.

In terms of networking, the unit has one virtual Ethernet port, so you can transfer data between units via Ethernet cable. It also supports NMEA 2000 (1 x Micro-C) port, plus it supports most of the NMEA 0183 sentences.

The unit offers both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Therefore, you can share sonar, mapping, waypoint, or route data between units via a wireless network. You can access the GoFree Cloud for Insight Genesis maps, or upload chart updates online. You can also sync your unit with your smartphone in order to get smart notifications from your phone on the unit or use your phone as a remote control for the unit.

The unit has one microSD card slot. You can use it for a premium charts card or for a data card for Genesis Live, waypoint backup, or data transfer.

Finally, this fish finder and chartplotter system includes the quick-release Gimbal mount and a unit cover. An in-dash surface mounting kit is also available, but not included.

The Pros

• CHIRP 2D sonar and DownScan;
• SideScan capable (with an Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer);
• HDI Skimmer included;
• 1,000 ft. depth capability;
• Various sonar functions, such as DownScan Overlay, FishReveal, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Fish ID, Sonar Recording etc;
• C-MAP US Inland Basemap included;
• Genesis Live included;
• 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;
• Fast chart updates, fast navigation through menus;
• High precision, 10 Hz GPS;
• Autopilot functions via SmartSteer, for Xi5 trolling motors;
• Waypoints, routes, and trackplotting functions;
• Easy to use touchscreen navigation;
• 4-panel view presentation possibilities;
• Super-bright display, excellent readability;
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity;
• MicroSD card slot reader for data backup and transfer;
• NMEA 2000 connectivity;
• Ethernet connectivity;
• GPS and sonar overlay data possibilities, via Insight Genesis;
• Quick-disconnect mount included;
• Unit cover included;
• Available in multiple language packs;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• No Radar support;
• To use Genesis Live you need a microSD card as support;
• In-dash mount not included.

Summary

The Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 HDI US Inland Basemap is a fish finder and chartplotter that offers Active Imaging 3-in-1, 10 Hz GPS, US Inland Basemap, Genesis Live, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, superior networking capabilities, and a wide array of other features. It includes the HDI Skimmer transducer for 2D CHIRP and DownScan. It’s great for many types of boats, for both freshwater and saltwater. And finally, it’s a versatile tool, offering excellent value for the price.