If you want a fishfinder that has lots of features, it can quickly get very expensive. The Lowrance Elite 7 Base Combo Dual-imaging Fishfinder is somewhere in the middle of the road, with a suggested retail price of about $***, and many nice features that are typically only found on more expensive models. Lowrance has combined two sonar technologies, Broadband sonar and DownScan imaging, to provide high-quality images of underwater structures and hiding places of fish. Lowrance designed this fishfinder for the fisherman who wants a fishfinder with more options than the entry-level models, but without the high price tag of the top-of-the-line models. This Lowrance model is designed to be used by both recreational and commercial fisherman, and this model performs well, even when the boat is in motion. This review will help you decide if the Lowrance Elite 7 HDI Combo is for you.
Easy to Install, Easy to Use
This Lowrance Elite 7 Fishfinder unit can be operated with one hand and has a user-friendly menu. It also comes in a waterproof plastic casing that is resistant to corrosion and salt water. Installation is relatively easy, and the Lowrance Elite 7 Base Combo Dual-imaging Fish Finder can be used on boats of all sizes. In the box, you will find the fish finder unit, the hardware for mounting and the bracket for the transducer, the power and transducer cables, and the owner’s manual. The interface is quite user-friendly, and you’ll have it up and going in no time at all.
Display Is Sharp and Rich
The Elite 7 Base Comb has a 7-inch LCD screen with an 800×480 resolution, the standard size of more expensive models. You can choose to have as many as 3 panels displayed on the screen at one time, and there are a number of preset displays to choose from. The screen and keypad backlight are adjustable, and the unit swivels for easy access. The display features an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 16-bit color TFT, to ensure that the data displays in a clear, easy-to-read form.
A Transducer with Multiple Options
The Lowrance Elite 7 HDI uses a Hybrid Dual Transom as its transducer, which can be operated at 50/200kHz or 455/800kHz. A newer type of technology known as Advanced Signal Processing (ASP) takes care of the frustration associated with manually adjusting the settings in order to see images more clearly. This technology helps the unit judge the readings being received and automatically adjust the SONAR settings accordingly. Using the transducer at 50kHz plus DownScan allows for imaging as far down as 2,500 feet, far beyond the depth of other comparable fishfinders. With the hybrid technology, you’ll be able to detect both fish and underwater structures with ease. This model offers more frequencies than other models in this price range, for searching underwater.
Using Multiple Sonar Technologies
For the Elite 7 Combo, Lowrance has combined two kinds of sonar to create detailed images of the underwater area. Broadband sounder, also known as single frequency sonar, relies on pings and echoes from a single frequency to create images of the bottom of the water and schools of fish. DownScan Imaging can be used in conjunction to create even more detailed images of structures within the water. When combined, these two types of sonar create a highly detailed picture of the water being scanned. This combination of sonar technologies is the standard in fishfinders of this price range, but Lowrance has also created TrackBack, an application that allows you to go back through the recorded sonar readings to find a specific point and location in time.
Maps
The Elite-7 is programmed with over 3,000 lakes and rivers in the United States, with up to 1,000 feet of coastal areas. You can also purchase map upgrades. If you are so inclined, you can create your own maps with Insight Genesis, by using the collected sonar data. The built-in memory permits up to 3,000 waypoints to be saved, and there is also a waterproof micro SD memory card slot for additional storage. This fishfinder model can plot 100 routes, twice as many as comparable fishfinders, and each of those routes can contain up to 10,000 points.
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A Final Note
Lowrance designed this fish finder model for the avid fisherman who wants a fishfinder with some higher-end features, without the higher-end price. Lowrance fish finder has combined two forms of sonar to create highly detailed images of the waters being searched. Basic navigational maps are included with this model, but you have the option to easily upgrade to better maps and more features. The user interface is simple to use, and the Lowrance Elite 7 can be installed on virtually any boat, for either private or commercial fishing. You won’t regret this purchase when it comes time to go fishing again.