Ff Khz question - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

LBKayakDude · 12-13-2014, 11:32 AM

Hey guys. I'm ordering the lowrance elite 4 HDI soon (want the 5 but can't afford). It's the total package w trandsducer. The one from Amazon is 83/200 kHz and the one from west marine is 50/200. Both are priced at $300.

From all my research it's still really unclear which is best for my kayak. From my understanding: 50/200 is better for deeper water over 100' and 83/200 is better for shallow.

I guess this is where it comes to your personal experiences. I generally fish 10' - 180' ft of water. Lb and Newport harbor to areas like la jolla and such, where its gets to 200'... I'd like to be able to read bottom structure and see fish in deeper water but still want good readings in 10' - 30' as well.

Do you generally just pick which better suits you or is there more to it? Sorry for such a newbie question but I couldn't find my answers in the search tool or on Google and you guys have the most experience with this.
Thanks for your time and tight lines! 🎣 🎣
- Joe

YakDout · 12-13-2014, 11:40 AM

You will probably use the 200khz frequency more than the 83 or 50. Now you mentioned you are getting the HDI unit but the transducers you listed will not show the downscan imaging that the HDI units and produce. Make sure the transducer you get is either 50/200/455/800 or 83/200/455/800

Otherwise the HDI unit would be pointless and you would be better off getting the base elite 4 with gps, which should be cheaper. If the 83 and the 50 are the same in price I would opt for the 50. I would also opt for getting it at west marine even if paying a little more, due to their customer service and replacement program.

Hope that helps.

ful-rac · 12-13-2014, 11:41 AM

Whichever you decide to go with get the westmarine warranty for it, you will likely use it.

I personally have the 50/200. Alot of guys have the 83/200 and it works fine for them. I just want that deep water capability myself.

LBKayakDude · 12-13-2014, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YakDout

Now you mentioned you are getting the HDI unit but the transducers you listed will not show the downscan imaging that the HDI units and produce. Make sure the transducer you get is either 50/200/455/800 or 83/200/455/800

Sorry yes you are correct I forgot to list that. They are 50/200/455/800 and 83/200/455/800. Thanks guys I really appreciate it. @yakdoubt @fulrac

🎣🎣

Cbad Mike · 12-13-2014, 12:43 PM

I've been playing with my HDS 5 and really like the 50/200 setting especially for LJ. It allows me to see the fish that I can't catch in great detail.
Just a thought....... West Marine is selling the HDS 5 for 399 including the transducer PLUS their warranty can't be beat.

LBKayakDude · 12-13-2014, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbad Mike

Just a thought....... West Marine is selling the HDS 5 for 399 including the transducer PLUS their warranty can't be beat.

I just saw that too

When you say including warranty does that mean I would not have to purchase the extra warranty protection?

Cbad Mike · 12-13-2014, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBKayakDude

I just saw that too

When you say including warranty does that mean I would not have to purchase the extra warranty protection?

SORRY.... I meant PLUS their warranty can't be beat. So YES you do have to pay for it but It will most likely save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
Mike

Cbad Mike · 12-13-2014, 01:20 PM

I personally will only buy my electronics from West Marine because of their awesome warranty.
Since the HDS 5 is under $400 if something happens to it WM will just replace it on the spot hassle free.

YakDout · 12-13-2014, 01:23 PM

The HDS unit is far superior to the Elite 4 you mentioned earlier. If you want to do it right the first time, get the HDS. At only $100 more, save the extra cash and fish a couple more times without a FF if you have to. It will cheaper in the long run because you WILL want to upgrade at some point from that Elite 4.

LBKayakDude · 12-13-2014, 01:40 PM

Awesome guys. Thank you everyone, this really helps. That makes alotta sense for me because I don't plan on upgrading anytime soon so I wanna try to get the 5.

Hypothetically speaking does anyone ever not buy the extra warranty? Will west marine still help you out at all? Or just no question, extra warranty is a must. Sorry to beat a dead horse

Cbad Mike · 12-13-2014, 01:58 PM

I have never had a reason to use the warranty YET.
I have read plenty of posts on here from guys getting the run around, paying shipping, and waiting weeks just for an answer to see about a replacement from the manufacturer. West Marine will do a simple swap without going through the manufacturer for items under $400 but ONLY with the warranty which is 3 years I think. A lot can happen in three years!
Mike

TJones · 12-13-2014, 03:09 PM

The cone angles are different . 83 kHz ,your wide beam has a larger cone angle than the 50 kHz . That is the reason it cannot penetrate as deep . With the depths we are typically fishing , some actually opt for the 83 kHz because of this reason . Being able to have a wider footprint . Hope this helps .

LBKayakDude · 12-13-2014, 03:13 PM

Thanks Mike. It looks like they offer a choice between 1 or 2 yr extended warranty. I'll be sure to get atleast a year. Thanks again. Much appreciated. 🎣 🎣

@Tjones. Thanks man that does help too. Looks like, more or less, I just have to decide if I want the most accuracy in the shallows or the +100 ft depths.

Cadillyak · 12-13-2014, 08:25 PM

x's a bunch for HDS 5 and west marine warranty. I had the elite 5 HDI, realized I wanted more after 3 months, brought it back and got the HDS 5 with just paying the difference. No questions asked and on the spot swap. Very nice!!

TJones · 12-14-2014, 04:45 AM

I would recommend getting the max year plan . Two years down the road you can trade In an obselete model , for the top of the line . 😉

LBKayakDude · 01-18-2015, 11:09 AM

Hey everyone. So I never ended up buying a ff because of the talk of the new dragonfly 4. Checked out Raymarine website and google searched but I can't find info on when it's actually coming out. I'm sure someone on here knows alot more than I do about this. Should I keep waiting? Thanks in advance for any help etc...
🎣🎣

12-13-2014, 11:32 AM	#1
LBKayakDude Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 193	Ff Khz question Hey guys. I'm ordering the lowrance elite 4 HDI soon (want the 5 but can't afford). It's the total package w trandsducer. The one from Amazon is 83/200 kHz and the one from west marine is 50/200. Both are priced at $300. From all my research it's still really unclear which is best for my kayak. From my understanding: 50/200 is better for deeper water over 100' and 83/200 is better for shallow. I guess this is where it comes to your personal experiences. I generally fish 10' - 180' ft of water. Lb and Newport harbor to areas like la jolla and such, where its gets to 200'... I'd like to be able to read bottom structure and see fish in deeper water but still want good readings in 10' - 30' as well. Do you generally just pick which better suits you or is there more to it? Sorry for such a newbie question but I couldn't find my answers in the search tool or on Google and you guys have the most experience with this. Thanks for your time and tight lines! 🎣 🎣 - Joe

12-13-2014, 11:41 AM	#3
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Whichever you decide to go with get the westmarine warranty for it, you will likely use it. I personally have the 50/200. Alot of guys have the 83/200 and it works fine for them. I just want that deep water capability myself. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

12-13-2014, 12:43 PM	#5
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	I've been playing with my HDS 5 and really like the 50/200 setting especially for LJ. It allows me to see the fish that I can't catch in great detail. Just a thought....... West Marine is selling the HDS 5 for 399 including the transducer PLUS their warranty can't be beat. __________________ [SIGPIC]

12-13-2014, 01:20 PM	#8
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	I personally will only buy my electronics from West Marine because of their awesome warranty. Since the HDS 5 is under $400 if something happens to it WM will just replace it on the spot hassle free. __________________ [SIGPIC]

12-13-2014, 01:58 PM	#11
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	I have never had a reason to use the warranty YET. I have read plenty of posts on here from guys getting the run around, paying shipping, and waiting weeks just for an answer to see about a replacement from the manufacturer. West Marine will do a simple swap without going through the manufacturer for items under $400 but ONLY with the warranty which is 3 years I think. A lot can happen in three years! Mike __________________ [SIGPIC]

12-13-2014, 11:40 AM	#2
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	You will probably use the 200khz frequency more than the 83 or 50. Now you mentioned you are getting the HDI unit but the transducers you listed will not show the downscan imaging that the HDI units and produce. Make sure the transducer you get is either 50/200/455/800 or 83/200/455/800 Otherwise the HDI unit would be pointless and you would be better off getting the base elite 4 with gps, which should be cheaper. If the 83 and the 50 are the same in price I would opt for the 50. I would also opt for getting it at west marine even if paying a little more, due to their customer service and replacement program. Hope that helps.

12-13-2014, 01:23 PM	#9
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	The HDS unit is far superior to the Elite 4 you mentioned earlier. If you want to do it right the first time, get the HDS. At only $100 more, save the extra cash and fish a couple more times without a FF if you have to. It will cheaper in the long run because you WILL want to upgrade at some point from that Elite 4.

12-13-2014, 01:40 PM	#10
LBKayakDude Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 193	Awesome guys. Thank you everyone, this really helps. That makes alotta sense for me because I don't plan on upgrading anytime soon so I wanna try to get the 5. Hypothetically speaking does anyone ever not buy the extra warranty? Will west marine still help you out at all? Or just no question, extra warranty is a must. Sorry to beat a dead horse

12-13-2014, 03:09 PM	#12
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,523	One important thing not mentioned The cone angles are different . 83 kHz ,your wide beam has a larger cone angle than the 50 kHz . That is the reason it cannot penetrate as deep . With the depths we are typically fishing , some actually opt for the 83 kHz because of this reason . Being able to have a wider footprint . Hope this helps . Last edited by TJones; 12-13-2014 at 03:11 PM. Reason: None

12-13-2014, 03:13 PM	#13
LBKayakDude Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 193	Thanks Mike. It looks like they offer a choice between 1 or 2 yr extended warranty. I'll be sure to get atleast a year. Thanks again. Much appreciated. 🎣 🎣 @Tjones. Thanks man that does help too. Looks like, more or less, I just have to decide if I want the most accuracy in the shallows or the +100 ft depths. Last edited by LBKayakDude; 12-13-2014 at 03:25 PM.

12-13-2014, 08:25 PM	#14
Cadillyak Team Get $$ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 841	x's a bunch for HDS 5 and west marine warranty. I had the elite 5 HDI, realized I wanted more after 3 months, brought it back and got the HDS 5 with just paying the difference. No questions asked and on the spot swap. Very nice!! __________________ The "Y" is silent 2012 Olive PA 12 2011 Papaya Outback

12-14-2014, 04:45 AM	#15
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,523	If you can afford it? I would recommend getting the max year plan . Two years down the road you can trade In an obselete model , for the top of the line . 😉

01-18-2015, 11:09 AM	#16
LBKayakDude Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 193	Hey everyone. So I never ended up buying a ff because of the talk of the new dragonfly 4. Checked out Raymarine website and google searched but I can't find info on when it's actually coming out. I'm sure someone on here knows alot more than I do about this. Should I keep waiting? Thanks in advance for any help etc... 🎣🎣