HDS 7 vs Elite TI

Since the ice will be off the lake in a mere 5 months I’m getting fired up for open water. As in my earlier post, my Lowrance Elite 7 HDI is not good and need of replacement. I fish with the TM down in the bow 90% of the time. I’ve found a HDS 7 gen 3 no transducer for about $600. Would fit into my universal sonar on my Minnkota. I see the Elite TI has some nice features. It seems a little close to my existing Elite. I don’t need SI. Good 2D is just fine. I’ve got a HB with SI on the wheel. I’m mainly looking for a dependable unit that I can continue to use my Lowrance chip with. Thanks for the input. Go Vikes!

$600 for a HDS 3 is a steal. If you don’t get it, I will.

Lowrance HDS series is the only ones worth buying in my opinion.

Two Hds units on my boat, a 7 and a 9, I wouldn’t have anything else. There’s a reason why Lorance costs a few more dollars then the rest.

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The 7 elite ti is garbage imo

Agreed about the Elite hdi. Ssslllooowww.

More info:
The latest software update for Elite-Ti is V4, (released a couple weeks ago).
Latest update for Elite HDI/Chirp is V6.0, (released Oct. ’16). These updates
are suppose to improve map/chart redraw speed. I have not used the Elite, been
using HDS Gen2/Gen3. Guess Elite has same broadband sonar as HDS. The Lowrance
Insight Pro chips have lots of data on them,(Pro has lower 48 states) even
the Gen3 will take a while to “load charts” with that chip in. Great chip, I
use it. Also, like Captain said in your other post, use the “Stop Sonar”
feature in the menu before you pull up the TM. At next spot put TM down and
start sonar. Do this even if you get a Gen3, helps unit find bottom faster.
Hope this helps.

Thanks. HDS 7 should be here in a coup;le days

holmsvc wrote:

The 7 elite ti is garbage imo

Curious as to why you say that?

The new Elite TI series is basically the Gen2 Touch units minus the ethernet ports. They’re great units, and in no way comparable to the former Elite HDI units in terms of performance.

The only thing missing is the ability to network them, but if you don’t need that, they’re tough to beat as a standalone unit. Touch screens that are fully customizable for layout and overlay, broadband CHIRP 2D, the ability to add DI/SI with the Totalscan transducer, mapping options from Navionics including Sonar Chart Live and CMAP Genesis, trolling motor control for the Motorguide XI5, etc… I’ve got an Elite 7TI that I use for my portable unit, and I couldn’t be happier with it, especially when you factor in the price.

Waxy

holmsvc wrote:

The 7 elite ti is garbage imo

Interesting. Having great results with mine.

ssaamm wrote:

Agreed about the Elite hdi. Ssslllooowww.

The Elite TI is not the same as the HDI. I ran an HDI for a few years. 2d and DI were great but the map draw was slow. It’s why I went to the Elite TI and the map speed is great.