Lowrance Elite-5X CHIRP

The Lowrance Elite-5X CHIRP has long been replaced by the HOOK-x, and HOOK2-x units. It’s one of the Lowrance fish finders that has been discontinued. For reference, this is the Lowrance 000-11657-001, the model that comes with the 83/200/455/800 transducer. It does not have any navigation features, and cannot track speed.

Key Features and Specifications

• Screen: 5″ diagonal, 16:9, 480H x 480V pixel matrix, 256 color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Broadband CHIRP and DownScan
• Depth Capability: 1,000 ft (305 m) for the CHIRP sonar, 300 ft. (91 m) for DownScan
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • 200 kHz (20°) / 83 kHz (60°) for broadband
  • 455 kHz for DownScan, fore to aft. 4°, port to starboard 57°
  • 800 kHz for DownScan fore to Aft 2°, port to starboard 38°
• Transducer: Transom, number 000-10976-001
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10-17 VDC
• GPS: No
• Maps: No
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: No

Transducer

This unit basically comes with the same transducer as the Elite-7X CHIRP 000-11668-001. It’s one transducer capable of both CHIRP standard and DownScan. For CHIRP standard imaging, it operates at Med and High CHIRP, with 83 / 200 kHz frequencies, with beamwidths of 60° / 20°. The unit is also capable of Low CHIRP, being able to operate at 50 kHz, but for that, it requires the 50/200 kHz transducer, which costs almost double the price of the 83 / 200 kHz model, due to its ceramics. However, at Low CHIRP, this unit can hit depths up to 3,000 ft. (914 m).

For DownScan, the unit can also operate with dual-frequency, 455 / 800 kHz, and the transducer it comes with does support these two frequencies. The beams are not conical as the standard CHIRP ones. They’re fan-shaped, with 4° fore-to-aft. and 57° side-to-side for 455 kHz, and 2° / 38° for 800 kHz.

The 000-10976-001 transducer included with this unit has an integrated temperature probe, being able to measure water temperature. It has a transom mount, but the unit can also function with several other transducers, for trolling or thru-hull, from Airmar. This particular transducer comes with 20 ft. (6 m) of cable.

Sonar

To begin with, this unit does not have GPS, maps, or any other navigation features. So, in case you want one with GPS, you might want to have a look at the Lowrance Elite-5 CHIRP Gold or Elite-7 CHIRP Gold. But, it does offer greater sensitivity, improved target resolution, and superior noise rejection. In other words, the CHIRP standard imaging reveals targets much accurately, getting rid of the unnecessary clutter. The Advanced Signal Processing reduces the need to filter noise or other settings in order to see more bottom detail or more fish. CHIRP also provides superior target separation. In other words, if more fish are grouped close together or among the branches of a sunken tree, CHIRP will point out each individual, rather than just a big dot of color. The precision of CHIRP sonar actually goes to the point where it can point out the fish into a bait cloud.

On the other hand, DownScan imaging (or DSI), offers photo-like clarity images of the bottom. Even though this sonar technology is reliable only up to 300 ft., it’s still a great sonar to have, as it gives you the possibility to easily distinguish between structure and fish, or figure out what exactly a certain structure under the boat is.

DownScan and standard CHIRP views can be observed separately in split-screen. However, this unit also gives you the chance to blend DownScan with CHIRP via the DownScan Overlay. With this function, you can get a better idea of how far targets are from one another, or where they are in relation to the boat.

The Lowrance Elite-5X CHIRP offers several other sonar-related functions, along with the two sonar technologies mentioned above. One of them is TrackBack. This function allows you to record sonar, with the possibility to scroll through the sonar history, in order to re-observe certain spots. This can actually save you a lot of trouble and gas, as you won’t have to re-trace your path.

Two other functions that I’m sure you’ll find useful are the Ice Flasher and the Fish ID. The first one provides an abstract, circular sonar view, without any fish arches, easier to use on ice, or when down-dropping. The Fish ID function simply replaces the fish arches with fish symbols, each fish having its current depth displayed near it. Although this is a more intuitive sonar view, great for anglers new to sonar, it’s not exactly the most accurate, as sometimes debris or other suspended structure may be depicted as fish.

Display unit features

The Elite-5X CHIRP doesn’t feature a widescreen. However, the 5-inch display has 480 x 480 pixel resolution, rendering images pretty sharp for its dimensions. Also, since it’s a square screen, and not with a vertical format, it does offer more screen space for a horizontal split-screen view.

The unit is IPX7 waterproof, which means it can easily survive incidental water exposure, like rain or sporadic drops of water. However, it’s not a full waterproof unit, so do not submerge it. And especially if you’re fishing in saltwater, it’s best to wipe any droplets that might fall on it. The mounting system provides tilt/swivel view adjustment, and quick removal and re-install. Finally, this unit features an NMEA port, compatible with NMEA 0183 networks.

Drawbacks

So far, this unit benefits from a lot of positivity from many users. However, it does have a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, it does not have any NMEA 2000 ports. Second of all, not only it does not have any navigation functions, it also doesn’t support any. So, if you want a combo unit, this is not the one you should opt for.

Summary

The Lowrance Elite-5X CHIRP is a fish finder that offers standard CHIRP sonar and DownScan sonar. It does not have GPS or other navigation features. It’s a unit that excels in clarity and most definitely will help you cut off the time spent looking for fish, great for small boats, kayaks, and freshwater fishing in general.