Anyone using the Lowrance Elite 4X DSI FF?

[CAGE RATTLER]

Im about to pull the trigger on one ($20 rebate ends July 21st) and wanted some opinions if anyone has one.
I'd also like to know what kind of battery setups everyone is using and how you mounted the FF and battery and how many working hours you get out of your setup.
In hull mount or scupper hole mount?
What components were used for the install?
I'd like to order everything I need so I'm not running around getting parts or haveing to wait on other orders if i cant find what I need locally.

Pics of your install would be appreciated as well.

Thanks

[DaveFX35]

I'm using this identical setup with 8 Sanyo eneloop black edition AA batteries. I get about 8-10 hours depending on screen brightness. I like the lightweight and spacesaving of my setup, I even carry an extra pack of 8 AA's if for some reason my battery goes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHiQ-b5BmBw

This is with the Elite 4 DSI combo so you may get more life since yours wont have GPS.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/...ation-Kit.html
http://www.amazon.com/eneloop-typica...=sanyo+eneloop

You can get extra heavyduty 9volt pigtails and the 8 AA battery holder from Radio Shack if you want extras.

Ordered my Elite 4 DSI back in May and sent away for the $50 rebate, never heard back so its safe to say I won't ever see it lol

[rob-kayak]

I don't have that exact model.. I have the black and white model with charts/gps...
But as far as installation is concerned...

A lot of people have been very happy using duct putty... best is the one at Home Depot (not water soluble)
for about $3.50.. for the transducer mount...
Notice that big air bubble coming out using Goop in the YouTube link above... air bubbles are not happy for the transducer.
You can easily make a foam cut out yourself... so

The battery setup Dave mentioned above is basically is what I use... and from Radio Shack is super cheap.

Also... most likely the battery install will ask for a 3amp inline fuse... on the positive side... as I am looking at the
manual now it does require/suggest it.

There are a number of threads about battery boxes and installs
http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...ht=fish+finder
http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...hlight=battery
http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...ht=fish+finder
http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...ht=fish+finder

Here's my battery box on the left and my wire box on the right... heavy duty velcro holds them in and tupperware boxes.


And the transducer mounted with duct putty... snug as a bug.. tight as clam... strong as a crab claw grip...
It looks like there are gaps in the putty and the transducer but it's just the image.. sorry... the image isn't
that great but you get the idea.

[Beerboy]

I installed an Elite 4 DSI on my Tarpon last week after the untimely death of my Humminbird. Headed out tomorrow for the first time. So can't comment on run time or how it compares to the standard sonar. But can tell you a bit about the install. Number one is that with the DSI you cannot do a hull mount. The transducer needs to be in the water. Note that Rob-Yak's photo is not the Lowrance DSI transducer, it's the standard sonar transducer (83/200 khz). The DSI transducer (455/800 khz) is 2-3 inches long and about a half inch in diameter. A bit bigger than a pencil. I used the Lowrance scupper mount and with some cutting on the mount I was able to get the transducer to fit snuggly in one of the grooves. It should be protected from any bottom rubbing (crossing my fingers a bit). In the photos below you can see the transducer mounted as well as the mount of the head unit. I have the power cable going into the hull through a locktite fitting and keep the battery up there.

DSITransducer.jpgMounting.jpg

One thing I don't like: The transducer/power cable unlocks from the back of the head unit. So when traveling you have to deal with the cables. The Humminbird had a nice setup where the cables were permanently attached to the base rather than the head unit. We'll see if this causes any problems.

[CAGE RATTLER]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Just saw this talon mounting option for lowrance FF's that looks pretty nice.
Not sure if it works with DSI models though.

[CAGE RATTLER]

Ordered the 4X DSI last night along with a couple ram mounts. Not sure if I will mount at the sail mast or closer up on the side. My eyes arent the best anymore.

With the super small size of the DSI transducer I'm thinking about mounting it on the rudder. Or mount through the seat scupper.
Some say the ducer works just fine thru hull and others say it needs to be in the water. easiest mounting would be with putty in the front and mount ff to sail mast and wires right in under the front hatch with battery box in the hatch as well. That way no cutting at all and easily removable. Might try that 1st before attempting rudder or scupper mount and doing alot of drilling.

I have the original rudder now but want to upgrade to the larger sail rudder eventually. Is the sail rudder longer than the original or just wider??

If anyones interested.....Today is the last day to purchase for the $20 rebate.
I found the best price at Hodges marine. They have it for $177 when everywhere else has it for $199.

[jet]

Ordered my Elite 4 DSI back in May and sent away for the $50 rebate, never heard back so its safe to say I won't ever see it lol

rebates can take upwards of 8+ months to get, then when they do send them, it's usually in some plain jane envelope or those envelopes that you have to pull the 2 sides off to open. they are always packaged like junk mail, on purpose of course!