Lowrance Elite FS 9 Active Imaging 3-in-1 Contour+

The Elite FS 9 is one of the Lowrance fish finders released at the end of 2020. As opposed to the older Elite 9 Ti2, it comes with two major improvements. One is the new chart platform, the C-MAP Contour+, the other is the compatibility with the ActiveTarget Live sonar. For reference, this is the Lowrance part number 000-15692-001, the one that includes the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9-inch diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel matrix, full-color, with LED backlight and multitouch technology
• Sonar: Active Imaging 3-in-1, ActiveTarget ready, StructureScan 3D ready
• Transducer: Active Imaging 3-in-1
• Frequency and Coverage (with the included transducer):
  83/200/455/800 kHz
  300 ft. (91 m) on each side – 455 kHz SideScan
  150 ft. (46 m) on each side – 800 kHz SideScan
• Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  1,000 ft. (305 m) for the CHIRP sonar
  300 ft. (91 m) for DownScan
• Supply Voltage: 12VDC (10.8-17 VDC)
• GPS: 16-channel, 10 Hz internal GPS
• Maps: C-MAP Contour+
• Routes, Waypoints, Trails: 100; 3,000; 100 (10,000 per trail)
• Networking: Ethernet, NMEA 2000, Bluetooth, WiFi

Sonar and transducer

As the title suggests, this Lowrance Elite 9 FS fish finder has built-in Active Imaging sonar which includes standard CHIRP sonar, DownScan imaging sonar, and SideScan imaging sonar. The unit also supports ActiveTarget Live sonar and StructureScan 3D if you opt for the corresponding transducers. Also, in terms of frequencies, the unit supports 50/83/200 kHz for its CHIRP sonar, and 455/800 kHz for structure scanning.

The included Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer operates at 83/200 kHz for the CHIRP sonar, and at 455/800 kHz for DownScan and SideScan. It does not support 50 kHz, so in case you want to scan deep waters, you will have to opt for a 50 kHz capable skimmer.

The Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer uses two conical beams for the 2D CHIRP sonar, two oval beams for DownScan, and two pairs of oval side beams for SideScan. Their exact angles are not specified. Also, the exact CHIRP range intervals for the 2D sonar are not specified. The maximum depth capability of the 2D CHIRP sonar is 1,000 ft. (305 m). The maximum depth range of the DownScan sonar is 300 ft. (91 m), while the side range of the SideScan beams is 300 ft. (91 m) on each side at 455 kHz, and 150 ft. (46 m) on each side at 800 kHz.

The included transducer features a transom mount, but can also be mounted on a trolling motor. It has an internal temperature sensor, 25″ (7.6 m) of cable, and a 9-pin connector. Also, the recommended speed maximum speeds for the best imaging and a maximum of detected targets are 48 knots (55 MPH) for the CHIRP sonar, and 9 knots (10 MPH) for SideScan/DownScan.

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar features and applications. The first to mention here is FishReveal. This feature allows you to bring the fish arches caught by the 2D CHIRP sonar into the DownScan view, in order to see the fish arches better in relation to structure, vegetation, and the bottom. Among other applications, we can count Circular Flasher for ice fishing, Amplitude Scope, Bottom Lock, Fish ID, Sonar Recording, Sonar Zoom, different alarms, and more.

Navigation features

The Lowrance Elite FS 9 Active Imaging 3-in-1 Contour+ is a chartplotter as well. To begin with, it is equipped with a 16-channel, 10 Hz GPS receiver. Therefore, it can provide position updates up to 10 times per second. It supports WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS for position augmentation. It has a GPS speed function and also offers the possibility to save waypoints, routes, and record tracks.

The unit comes with the new C-MAP Contour+ chart platform. As opposed to the older U.S. Inland Basemap, these charts offer coverage for the inland and near-shore coastal areas of the continental United States, Hawaii, and Bermuda. They offer high-resolution 1-foot contours for over 8,900 U.S. lakes. They also show various points of interest with improved icons, as well as custom depth shading. Plus, the unit is compatible with Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, Navionics Gold, Nautic Insight, Nautic Insight HD, C-MAP MAX N, and C-MAP MAX N+. So, in case you are not satisfied with the Contour+ charts, you can always upgrade its chart base.

Along with the C-MAP Contour+ charts, the unit also has its own bathymetric mapping feature. This is the Genesis Live application. Genesis Live uses the GPS data and the CHIRP sonar data to reveal and record the depth of the lake or body of water that you are scanning. Therefore, you can create your own personalized maps with the most up to date contours. You can also share them with others, as well as use other Genesis Live created maps via the C-MAP Genesis community. Plus, in case you will opt for a Navionics+ map card, you will be able to use the SonarChart feature which works in a similar way.

StructureMap is also available with this unit. With StructureMap, you can overlay recorded imaging from the SideScan sonar on the map. It also has a live mode which shows the SideScan imaging history as a trail behind the boat on the map. However, the Structure Live map mode does not save any data. Also, for the Genesis Live application, contour recordings require a microSD card to be loaded into the unit.

Last but not least, the unit also supports Radar. The list of supported Radar modules includes 4G, 3G, Halo20, Halo20+, and Halo24. It also supports Outboard Pilot, Ghost trolling motors, Motor Guide Xi3 & Xi5, AIS data, and Weather SiriusXM via WM-4.

Control unit features

The Lowrance Elite FS 9 Active Imaging 3-in-1 fish finder features a 9-inch display with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V, and LED backlight for improved readability at night and in direct sunlight. It combines touchscreen technology with keypad technology for navigation and function usage. Its interface is very easy to use, the homepage can be customized with the most used application combos for quick access, and there are several split-screen display options.

The unit offers superior networking possibilities. To begin with, it has built-in NMEA 2000 and Ethernet ports so you can easily integrate it into an already existent boat network in order for it to communicate with other boating instruments. On top of that, the unit also has Bluetooth and WiFi wireless connectivity. Therefore, you can sync it with your smartphone via the Lowrance app for software updates, map personalizations, auto-routing, real-time AIS, and more.

The unit features a microSD card slot that can take cards up to 32 GB. This being said, you can load it with premium charts from Navionics or C-MAP, or use a blank microSD card for data backup, Genesis Live mapping, or sonar recordings.

Finally, the unit is IPX7 waterproof. This means it is design to withstand incidental water exposure with no problem. It comes with the standard Elite FS 9 mounting bracket. Also, the box includes a unit cover.

The Pros

• Active 3-in-1 sonar (2D CHIRP, DownScan, SideScan);
• Supports ActiveTarget live sonar;
• Supports StructureScan 3D sonar;
• Active 3-in-1 transducer included;
• 1,000 ft. depth capability with the included transducer;
• Various sonar functions, such as FishReveal, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Fish ID, Sonar Recording etc;
• Built-in C-MAP Contour+ charts;
• Genesis Live for bathymetric real-time mapping;
• StructureMap for SideScan sonar overlay;
• Compatible with a wide array of custom charts, including Navionics Gold, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, C-MAP Max N, C-MAP Max N+, Insight Pro and Insight HD;
• Fast chart updates, fast navigation through menus;
• High precision, 10 Hz GPS;
• Autopilot functions via SmartSteer, for Xi3 & Xi5 trolling motors;
• Radar support;
• Waypoints, routes, and trackplotting functions;
• Easy to use touchscreen navigation;
• 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;
• Standard swivel bracket mount included;
• Unit cover included;
• Available in multiple language packs;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• To use Genesis Live you will need a microSD card as support;
• In-dash mount not included.

Summary

The Lowrance Elite FS 9 Active Imaging 3-in-1 Contour+ is a fish finder and chartplotter that offers CHIRP, DownScan and SideScan sonar, 10 Hz GPS, C-MAP Contour+ charts, Genesis Live, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, superior networking capabilities, and a wide array of other features. It includes the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer for CHIRP sonar, DownScan, and SideScan. Although it includes charts for the US inland waters, it can also be used off-shore if you opt for other premium charts. It’s a versatile fishing and navigation tool, offering excellent value for the price.