Looking at the 5" versions for both. They are both new on the market and the Lowrance website has the price listed as $450. Is this the price without maps? I'm asking because the Lowrance has sidescan and a touchscreen, yet the Garmin is $500. $50 more for no touchscreen or sidescan? I'm aware the Garmin has great maps but is that worth no sidescan? Which do you guys think is better? Trying not to spend more than $500. 

I've had a 53dv for a couple years now and really like the unit. I have no experience with the lowrance so this is a one sided opinion. The downvu is awesome, especially when split viewed with the standard sonar with CHirp. Mapping is only as important as you need it. The 53 DV will soon have QuickDraw (self mapping) which is really cool.  Good luck. 

23 hours ago, Sprocket said:

I've had a 53dv for a couple years now and really like the unit. I have no experience with the lowrance so this is a one sided opinion. The downvu is awesome, especially when split viewed with the standard sonar with CHirp. Mapping is only as important as you need it. The 53 DV will soon have QuickDraw (self mapping) which is really cool.  Good luck. 

Do you ever find yourself wishing you had sidescan on your unit?

On the bow I have the 73dv with DownVu and Panoptix.  Just learning but so far, really, really like the Panoptix on the trolling motor.  Pretty good point and shoot.  That being said, I think I would like the SideVu on the console unit.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

Sidescan on a 5" is pretty much unusable IMO. I have a 7" and I still don't use it so I don't think that should be much of a factor. I used a 53dv for about 6 months and it worked pretty good for a basic unit. The 53DV was selling for $399 not too long ago.

CHIRP sonar, StructureScan and DownScan Imaging all in one nice TOUCH SCREEN package for $450........sweet. You have plenty of screen to really enjoy the StructureScan, I split my 9" to view Chirp, LSS and Down and the screen allows for very easy viewing. I say go for the Elite.

I've seen the garmins next to the elites in displays at bps. The garmins are far better imo.

I bought a 43dv and a 73sv. Garmin is leading the way in the sonar these days. Panoptix is unparalleled. 

On 1/11/2016 at 1:08 PM, Sprocket said:

On the bow I have the 73dv with DownVu and Panoptix.  Just learning but so far, really, really like the Panoptix on the trolling motor.  Pretty good point and shoot.  That being said, I think I would like the SideVu on the console unit.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

I didn't think the panoptix transducer was compatible with the 73dv. Did you just buy a transducer and plug it in? What model? Can I do the same with my 73sv?

I have the 73dv with the PS21 panoptix transducer.  The panoptix ducer is mounted about half way up the trolling motor shaft and the DownVu/traditional transducer is mounted on the head of the trolling motor.  There are two separate plug ins in the back of the cradle mount for the 73dv.  One for each transducer.  https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-water/transducers/panoptix-ps21-livevu-forward-transducer/prod530077.html This is a list of compatible units for the PS21 Panoptix.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

 

Just had a thought though.  If you have an older unit, then it is not compatible with Panoptix.  Mine is a 2016 model that should be coming out on the market at any time now.  Sorry for the confusion.