I currently have 2 Lowrance Elite 5s and a newly acquired Humminbird Helix 5.

the reason I bought the Helix was because the 5 pin plug in on my Lowrance unit had the pins get bent and I was unable to line the pins up again to get the unit to power up.  

I finally got the unit to line up correctly but am now afraid to unplug it and see if I can do it again.

does anybody leave their fish finder plugged in at all times, even during transport to avoid this issue?  I'm trying to figure a way to do it while still making sure my unit is completely secure and wonder what other guys are doing.

I never unplug mine unless I am storing the boat for the winter.