New member question

[jhoss]

I had a very basic pirannamax B/W fishinder for years and it worked just fine (without draining my battery) It did everything my new fancy color elite 5 chirp does in that aspect. Minus the funny little fish icons. If you're looking to do trolling where you need to follow a depth contour- or know the depth/structure ahead -a unit with gps sure is a handy tool.

I once also got stuck in a network of channels/inlets and islands while paddling the inshore marshes of the outerbanks of NC. I was preoccupied with "seeing what's around the next corner" and not paying attention to the fact that it was getting darker and darker... Well in the dark, I quickly realized that navigating my way back was not going to be easy in the maze of channels. Without google maps and my phone (and anumber or dead ends) I would still be there trying to find my way back....point is, you might not think you need GPS, but having it is a nice safety feature.

[Nova1]

John,

Thanks for your input. It's good to learn from other people's past experiences. It's going to be a good piece of mind have the gps for convenience and safety. I just order the lowrance mark 4 hdi. It won't have to fanciy color but It seems like it will have everything that I need.

[YakCapn]

Solid choice, if I had it to do over, I'd likely select the same unit as you did and would have saved some money. Great price for a good unit.

[Nova1]

Solid choice, if I had it to do over, I'd likely select the same unit as you did and would have saved some money. Great price for a good unit.

Thanks yakcapn. I'm sure I'll be happy with the purchase but wouldn't have made the choice if it wasn't for all the feedback which I got. I appreciate Everyones help. I hope to come to some of the meet and greets coming up. Maybe I'll see some of you this weekend, if anyone plans on going out on the upper Potomac. Just let me know if anyone want to meet and to fish.

[OV BOY]

Nova1, did you decide what type of battery you will use? I'm in the same situation and was following your post.

[Nova1]

Nova1, did you decide what type of battery you will use? I'm in the same situation and was following your post.

Hey Ov boy,

I have not decided exactly which manufactures battery I will use but I think I will use a 7 amp (Ah) battery placed in the rear hatch with the hobie battery tray. I'm still reading reviews on battery choices. I'll keep you posted with what I decide on battery options.

[OV BOY]

Is this the fish finder you are looking at; Lowrance Mark-4 HDI Fishfinder Chart plotter?

[DonV]

I use a 5amp with my Lowrance. 5 amp should be plenty for the Mark 4 B&W, have never even come close to running it out, my @ss gives out long before.

$15 shipped to you from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bonus it fits perfectly in the $6 walmart plastic dry box for a nice light & cheap setup.

[Nova1]

Is this the fish finder you are looking at; Lowrance Mark-4 HDI Fishfinder Chart plotter?

Yes I got it from basspro for $129.99.

[Nova1]

I use a 5amp with my Lowrance. 5 amp should be plenty for the Mark 4 B&W, have never even come close to running it out, my @ss gives out long before.

$15 shipped to you from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bonus it fits perfectly in the $6 walmart plastic dry box for a nice light & cheap setup.

DonV,

Great thanks for the info. Good to know I can go smaller/cheaper without having any problems.

[DonV]

DonV,

Great thanks for the info. Good to know I can go smaller/cheaper without having any problems.

You may want to get a second opinion on my advice about a 5amp battery.

The draw on the Mark4 HDI is listed as - Typical: .75A
and on the straight Mark4 it is listed as - at 13.5V (250mA)

Seems the HDI model draws about three times the power of the non DSI one. I'm still thinking that 5amp would be more than enough but hopefully someone with more knowledge and experience can pipe in.

[Nova1]

Ok maybe someone else might chime in on if I should go with the 5amp or 7amp battery for the mark 4 hdi. I would hate to have it die on me in the middle of the trip so might go 7amp just to be on the safe side. Thanks donV

[DonV]

Ok maybe someone else might chime in on if I should go with the 5amp or 7amp battery for the mark 4 hdi. I would hate to have it die on me in the middle of the trip so might go 7amp just to be on the safe side. Thanks donV

Alright, I feel better. I hate thinking I gave bad advice. Still kind of think the 5 would be enough, after a typical trip my unit only takes a matter of minutes to maybe an hour max to recharge. If i'm doing the mathe right you should get 6-7 hrs with a 5 amp and close to 10 with a 7 amp

[Nova1]

Alright, I feel better. I hate thinking I gave bad advice. Still kind of think the 5 would be enough, after a typical trip my unit only takes a matter of minutes to maybe an hour max to recharge. If i'm doing the mathe right you should get 6-7 hrs with a 5 amp and close to 10 with a 7 amp

Haha well I appreciate your honesty and advice. 10 hours sounds a little better for those all day trips. I'll see what everyone else has to say though.

[KJV]

Get the bigger battery in case you decide to run some lighting...or like me and forget to charge your battery between trips. The weight and price difference is negligible.