Hey all,

 

So I just got my first boat and it came with the Lowrance Elite 7 HDI electronics. I took it out yesterday for the first time and to me only one of the three screens it offers worked. The side imaging or down imaging can't remember what it said it had didn't really show much on the screen except the bottom and the top, the rest was just solid black. More importantly when I went to the map it was just an orange screen with an arrow. There was no map! I'm in Ontario Canada and all I did was plug the unit in and run it, I didn't load anything or update anything. Can anyone help me out with what I need to do to get this working on the lakes I fish. Also found it very hard to determine when or if it ever picked up a fish. I caught a bunch so I know they were there but I just couldn't tell looking at the screen. 

 

Thanks a bunch

 

 

 

 

Probably going to need to see some screenshots to know exactly what you’re dealing with, but my first recommendation based on the fact it sounds like a “used” unit is to go into settings, figure out where you can “reset factory defaults,” then do it. It might have already been done, but just as likely might not have. This way you know you will be starting off with the unit set just like it came from the factory. Might solve a lot of problems you’re seeing pretty quick.

Make sure the unit is up to date on software too. I have a Lowrance HDS 7 Carbon that I had to update this spring.

 

https://downloads.lowrance.com

Thanks I will definitely try these recommendations. 

 

Do I also need to install some kind of map file so it understands the body of water im on?

1 minute ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Thanks I will definitely try these recommendations. 

 

Do I also need to install some kind of map file so it understands the body of water im on?

You'll need a map card. I'd google what cards it's compatible with before buying anything, it's an older unit and may not work with some of the new stuff. 

13 hours ago, Smalls said:

You'll need a map card. I'd google what cards it's compatible with before buying anything, it's an older unit and may not work with some of the new stuff. 

I went on the Lowrance site and it says under mapping options "Navtronics Hotmaps, premium and Gold". That would mean I can use these chips correct? 

 

Anyone ever used either of these chips, I'm in southern Ontario and looking for a good map for my local lakes. 

 

 

Yeah.  If you can find one.  They were discontinued in early 2016, so you'd have to look on the used market.  And I don't know how inclined I would be to buy an old one.  They're usually not cheap, and it might be smarter in the long run to just buy a new sonar unit that comes with a new mapping software preinstalled.  

7 hours ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Anyone ever used either of these chips, I'm in southern Ontario and looking for a good map for my local lakes. 

I used to use Navionics. My Lowrance units have Lake Insight Pro now instead. I have found them to be a little more accurate than the Navionics.

5 hours ago, Bankc said:

Yeah.  If you can find one.  They were discontinued in early 2016, so you'd have to look on the used market.  And I don't know how inclined I would be to buy an old one.  They're usually not cheap, and it might be smarter in the long run to just buy a new sonar unit that comes with a new mapping software preinstalled.  

I did find one, it's $270. I feel like that's going to to be way less expensive then a new unit, no? 

On 7/30/2021 at 8:05 PM, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

I did find one, it's $270. I feel like that's going to to be way less expensive then a new unit, no? 

Initially? Yeah. But I personally don't think I'd throw a nav card that's worth more than my unit in it.