Lowrance Launches Elite 7 and Elite 5 CHIRP Series Displays

Lowrance has announced the next-generation of Elite fishfinder/chartplotters, the Elite-7 and Elite-5 CHIRP series. Setting the standard for cutting-edge performance and easy-to-use fishfinding, the new affordable series adds CHIRP sonar to its award-winning, built-in Broadband Sounder^TM and DownScan Imaging^TM fishfinder technologies. Providing anglers with the best possible view of the water column, CHIRP sonar produces greater sensitivity, improved target resolution and superior noise rejection for clearer, easy-to-see baitfish and game fish targets.  

The Elite CHIRP lineup includes 5-inch and widescreen 7-inch fishfinder/chartplotter models as well as standalone fishfinders with CHIRP sonar performance using affordable Lowrance HDI Skimmer^® transducer options — including the capabilities to produce low, medium and high CHIRP sonar ranges and display two user-selected ranges simultaneously. With these CHIRP sonar advantages, the new Elite series can more easily distinguish between baitfish and game fish targets, provide better target separation at greater depths and mark fish clearly at faster boat speeds. Elite CHIRP models also feature DownScan Imaging that provides easy-to-understand, picture-like views of structure and bottom detail, as well as selectable, single-frequency Broadband Sounder capability.

With the exclusive Lowrance DownScan Overlay™ feature, boaters can layer DownScan Imaging views onto CHIRP sonar or Broadband Sounder displays for a stunning presentation that separates and clearly exposes fish targets from surrounding structure. To maximize fishing time on the water, Lowrance’s exclusive Advanced Signal Processing (ASP) reduces the need to manually adjust settings to see fish, structure and bottom detail more clearly; and TrackBack^TM allows anglers to scroll back in recorded sonar history to review structure, transitions and fish targets. When used on Elite CHIRP fishfinder/chartplotter models, users can also TrackBack and pinpoint locations with a waypoint — reducing the time required to search for productive fishing areas.

Elite-7 and Elite-5 CHIRP models with chartplotter capabilities feature a highly accurate, built-in GPS. A micro SD card can be used to display Navionics^® Gold, HotMaps^® Premium, and C-Map Max-N wide charts. All Elite CHIRP chartplotter models are also compatible with the online Insight Genesis™ map-creation service, which allows users to make custom, high-resolution contour maps from recorded sonar logs, including bottom-hardness and vegetation overlays.

Model options include Elite CHIRP displays packed with an 83/200/455/800 kHz or 50/200/455/800 kHz Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) transducer with depth capabilities to 1,000 and 3,000 feet, respectively. Optional accessories include a series of bronze thru-hull HDI transducers, a trolling-motor transducer adapter kit and flush-mount kit. The Elite-7 CHIRP, featuring NMEA 2000^® capability, can also be paired with the Lowrance Point-1 external GPS antenna with built-in electronics compass, while the Elite-5 CHIRP, with NMEA 0183 connectivity, is compatible with the LGC-16W external GPS antenna.

Protected by a one-year limited warranty and the Lowrance Advantage Service program, Elite-7 CHIRP models can be purchased from authorized Lowrance dealers and distributors throughout Australia beginning in April 2014 (the Elite-5 CHIRP models will be available in June 2014). Retail prices range from $599 to $999 for the Elite-5x and Elite-7x CHIRP fishfinder, and $1099 to $1329 for the Elite-5 and Elite-7 CHIRP fishfinder/chartplotter models bundled with Navionics Gold cartography. For more information on the Lowrance Elite CHIRP series, the entire Lowrance line of marine electronics, or to locate an authorized Lowrance dealer, please visit www.lowrance.com