posted 01-07-2013 10:39 AM ET (US)        

The ELITE 7 model comes in many variations. All models are based on a 7-inch diagonal, wide-screen, LED-backlight, bright color display with 800 x 480 pixels (16:10 aspect). The feature set includes:

--NMEA-2000 networking
--built-in GPS receiver
--embedded digital cartography for U.S. coastal and inland lakes
--ability to use premium cartography MicroSD memory cards for Insight Pro charts, and Navionics Gold and Premium charts

ELITE models differ most in their SONAR capabilities. ELITE models offer two SONAR technologies:

--SONAR using frequencies from 50-kHz to 200-kHz, which Lowrance calls their Broadband Sounder (or sometimes conventional SONAR). The frequency choice is made by selection of the transducer; and,

--SONAR using frequencies from 400-kHz to 800-kHz, which Lowrance calls their DownScan Imaging or DSI, with the specialized transducer being built into the standard transducer assembly with the other frequency devices.

To understand how the ELITE differs from the HDS, we must look at both. Among the many HDS models, the 400-kHz and 800-kHz SONAR technology is not always included in the main HDS units, but is sometimes obtained from the added StructureScan HD module. That device provides what Lowrance calls Structure Scan HD imaging technology.

StructureScan HD imaging technology includes a feature that Lowrance calls DownScan Imaging. This is the high-frequency SONAR that looks directly down at the bottom below the boat. StructureScan HD imaging also provides a side-scan Sonar, that sends signals outward from each side of the boat, giving a side-scan image. The StructureScan HD module uses special transducers calls LSS (perhaps for Lowrance StructureScan) models. To add to the confusion, Lowrance sometimes calls the Structure Scan HD module the LSS Module. Usually, LSS is associated with the transducers.

It may be easier to understand the Lowrance product line and its features by charting them:

Lowrance HDS

--has Broadband Sounder

--has option for StructureScan HD imaging

StructureScan HD imaging

--adds StructureScan via black-box module, variously called Structure Scan HD module or LSS module

--needs a skimmer imaging transducer called the LSS transducer

--includes Down Scan Imaging or DSI. This is a high-frequency SONAR that looks directly under the boat giving great detail.

ELITE

--some models have Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) which means they have some part of the Broadband Sounder technology of the HDS and some part of the StructureScan HD technology, particularly the Down Scan Imaging or DSI portion

--some models use a dual-function transducer which provide for both the Broadband Sounder and the DownScan Imaging signals.

--models with Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) also feature a DownScan Imaging (DSI) Overlay feature that allows the simultaneous display and overlapping of the sonagrams from the Broadband Sounder and the DownScan Imaging sounder to be presented, with varying amounts of density or contrast of the two signals being mixed to allow for best presentation.

Confused? Yes, it is very confusing.

Now some other features of the ELITE. The chart plotter and SONAR are nicely integrated so that details in the historical display of SONAR images can be geo-located and marked on the chart plotter. This feature is called Trackback.

These features are arranged in a number of different ELITE models. The Gold package is provided on a memory card in Micro-SD format which contains Navionics cartography:

--ELITE 7 HDI (all features), with a variety of options for transducers and charts:

--no transducer $599
--83/200 and 455/800 transducer $699
--82/200 and 455/800 transducer and Gold package $769
--50/200 and 455/800 transducer $799
--50/200 and 455/800 transducer and Gold package $869

--ELITE 7 BROADBAND is DSI ready, but includes only the 83/200-kHz transducer; also includes chart plotter, charts, and GPS receiver, $599

--ELITE 7X HDI (fish finder with HDI features, no GPS receiver, no chart plotter, no charts), $549

posted 01-07-2013 05:21 PM ET (US)            

You're right, it is confusing! I went back and forth between the Elite 7 and the HDS 7, and decided I didn't need the side scan option, nor would I need radar. I also like the idea of one transducer for both sonar frequencies (broadband and downscan).

posted 01-07-2013 10:49 PM ET (US)            

I can't figure out what the ELITE 7 BROADBAND model is for. It does not make sense in the configuration or price. Perhaps Lowrance has a plan for it.

Which ELITE 7 did you order? The ELITE 7 HDI? If so, which transducer?

posted 01-08-2013 08:56 AM ET (US)            

I think the "broadband only" Elite 7 would be used as a bow-mounted second fishfinder for bass fishing. A lot of the pros have a sounder on the bow in addition to one at the helm, and both of these can be interfaced with each other.

The other advantage to the broadband only unit would be if you already have an Airmar transducer, and don't want downscan, this unit is compatible meaning you don't have to install a new transducer, just plug and play.

I guess if the helm unit has a dual imaging transducer and is tied in to the bow mounted display it could display down imaging without the extra cost.

Interestingly enough the new Humminbird units can tie into Minn Kota trolling motors as well (through the NMEA system). Not sure of the advantage of this? Not sure if the Lowrance systems will tie into Minn Kota trolling motors as well.

posted 03-02-2013 08:09 AM ET (US)            

The display of the Elite 7 HDI is 800 x 480 pixels, a 15:9 aspect ratio, on a 7-inch diagonal with LED backlighting.

We compute the screen area (A) from the diagonal (d) and aspect ratio (r) as

A = d^2/(r+1/r)

and find

HDS-7 Gen2 screen Area = 19.66-inch^2
ELITE 7 HDI screen Area = 21.68-inch^2

Dividing the screen area by the number of pixels gives the pixel density

HDS-7 Gen2 pixel density = 307200/19.66 = 15,625-pixel/inch^2
ELITE 7 HDI pixel density = 384000/21.68 = 17,712-pixel/inch^2

posted 03-24-2013 08:36 AM ET (US)            

quote:

---

What networking capabilities does Elite-7 have?

The Lowrance Elite-7 does come with a NMEA2000® port that can be found on the back with the Power and Sonar connectors. Currently, the Elite-7 will allow for external GPS data input and waypoint sharing via a NMEA2000® connection.

---

This seems to suggest that there is a limited capability in the ELITE-7 to act as a multi-function display device, compared to other Lowrance devices of this type such as the HDS series.

The ELITE-7 FAQ is a good document to gain further understanding of the feature set of the ELITE-7 compared to the feature set of the HDS series. The FAQ has a nice side-by-side comparison chart.

The Operating Manual for the ELITE-7 is available now online from:

http://www.lowrance.com/Root/Lowrance-Documents/Elite/ ELITE-7_HDI_OM_EN_988-10423-001_w.pdf

I found information about NMEA-0183 sentences in the manual. On NMEA-0183, the ELITE-7 can send the following datagrams:

NMEA-0183 OUTPUT from ELITE-7
GPS related: GLL, RMC, RMB, APD, GGA, GSA, GSV, BWC
SONAR related: DBT, DPT, MTW, VLW, VHW

The ELITE-7 apparently cannot receive any communication via NMEA-0183. This means that if you connect it to a VHF Marine Band radio with DSC, the radio will not be able to send information to the ELITE-7. Typically, when a modern chart plotter is integrated with a modern radio, the radio can send data to the chart plotter to cause the chart plotter to display the located on other vessels, including vessels sending a distress alert. Without an NMEA-0183 input, this cannot be done with the ELITE-7.

On NMEA-2000 the manual is silent regarding precisely what protocol group numbers (PGNs) it can send or receive. This is an unfortunate omission. Generally modern NMEA 2000 devices are well documented and list the PGNs they can send or receive. The manual contains this paragraph:

quote:

---

With the unit connected to a NMEA 2000 network, you can select a GPS antenna [sic] on the network as your GPS [sic] source, and share newly created waypoints with other display units on the network.

You will not be able to share existing waypoints, Only waypoints created while the unit is connected to a NMEA 2000 network can be shared, and only with units on that network.

---

posted 06-25-2014 03:59 AM ET (US)            

However, although on the Elite 7 installation guide sheet the NMEA 0183 shows alternative RS-232 wiring that has two Com ports there seems to be nothing within settings to select different Baud rates for the two ports.

Lowrance suggest that is the case and perhaps if I wish to use the AIS information from the Standard Horizon 2150 I could install a switch that changes from DSC output to the radio to AIS input from the radio. Would also have to change the Baud rate.

All very Heath-Robinson, the last thing you would want to do when, god forbid, you want to use the distress button on the radio would be to have to start switching outputs/inputs and changing MNEA settings just to allow the Lowrance to output the GPS position to the radio.

The support team at Standard Horizon agreed with me but came up with an answer. The new Standard Horizon GX2200E has AIS/GPS built in such that it doesn't need an external GPS input.

posted 10-06-2014 07:53 PM ET (US)            

How about NMEA2000 - can one get full functionality (GPS to radio, DSC/AIS to Elite 7) if I was to invest in an NMEA2000 backbone ?

posted 10-10-2014 02:18 PM ET (US)            

Orange (RX+)----------------------------Yellow (AIS data +)
Green (RX-)---------------------------White (AIS data -)

posted 10-10-2014 02:43 PM ET (US)            

Re the LINK-8 VHF Marine Band radio with AIS receiver:

I have tested a LINK-8 with an HDS chart plotter, connecting it via NMEA-0183 and also NMEA-2000. I tested the radio with digital selective calling messages and some AIS reception.

Connecting the LINK-8 via NMEA-0183 is rather difficult. It took me quite a while to study the documentation for the LINK-8 and deduce the connection. The data connections on the LINK-8 are quite strange, in my opinion. They are a mish-mash of protocols and wiring.

I have written a separate article that goes into the NMEA-0183 interface of the LINK-8 in great detail. Pfmtrumpy--I recommend you consult that article for advice on interfacing the LINK-8. Please see

LINK-8 NMEA-0183 Interface; DSC and AIS Datagrams
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/003590.html

Pfmtrumpy--if you need further help, post a follow-up to that article in the thread for that article.

Connecting the LINK-8 via NMEA-2000 is very simple. The cost of building a NMEA-2000 network is less than $100, and that investment will repay you many times over in saved frustration and tinkering with the NMEA-0183 connection.

Pfmtrumpy--forward the information you received from Lowrance about the interconnection to me, if you would be so kind. I would like to see what method they proposed for interface of the LINK-8 via NMEA-0183.