Lowrance elite 5 ice machine question

My son purchased a new Lowrance elite 5 ice machine on Dec 30th and it is giving him some problems. The unit seems to flash the bottom reading as though the transducer is not working correctly. Then it works for a while and then goes out again. He has used it on 2 outings with the same result, the last time out it only worked briefly then went back to flashing (and not picking up the bottom). The transducer appears to be straight down from what I can see.

I can only guess that perhaps it is a faulty transducer? I use a vexilar so I am not much help on a lowrance product. Anyone out there using this or like unit. Thanks.

I've heard the vex or Marcums interfere with other ff. if you were using yours beside him or if he was close to others using theirs that could be the problem. If that's not the case I would say faulty transducer.

Hold the transducer over a hard surface. (hard wood floor) about 12" I believe it should read about 6 feet on the graph. while holding the transducer square to the floor, start moving the cable around and the connections..


Hope this helps

Great tip.

I tried the advise to hold the transducer straight down 12 inches from the ground but unfortunately the transducer is still not marking the depth. It continues to flash 60.8 feet. My son will take it back the the store and see what they say. To me it looks like a bad transducer.

I also have heard about the interference of other units but I even turned my vex off to see if we could get his to work and it did not help. It always takes a little time to get this new toys dialed in.

Thanks for the input.

If the depth range is not set within the depth you are in it won't read the bottom. Ie. 61 fow depth should be set to 80' range. Also check the sensitivity of the unit, I crank mine way up. You can do all the presenting stuff in simulator mode and then fine tune it when you are on the ice. Hope this helps.

Rob C

Just a bit of info, there are setup videos on Youtube for setting these up. I have an HDS5 and they don't come with a fool proof guide for each fishing scenario. Youtube has great setup videos to help them read correctly.

Just a thought.

Jay

I had done the test in the basement and set the depth range to 10 feet so I thought I should have gotten a reading. Thanks for the idea to do some set ups in simulation.

Thanks for the idea of checking out utube for set ups. I will get my son on it. It could be something in the set up for sure.

I have the elite 5 and the screen goes all different colors if I move my hand close to it. Unit has been used 4 times this year .. on the ice. Last time it was in a heated hut for 6 hrs. Same problems ... screen goes all different colors. Sent unit back to service. They say nothing wrong with it and power on unit prior to going out on the ice to keep the unit warm! Unit is in transit back to me as write this message. Any one else have this type of problem? and do you power your unit on prior to going out on the ice? Warranty runs out Apr 2014. Any help and or comments are welcome! Thanks .... Not a happy user of the ELITE 5 Ice Machine!

I have an ELITE-5, too. And yes, if I put my hand (or just about anything) close to the sonar's LCD screen (without touching the screen), I WILL get lots of dark vertical stripes on the screen.

FYI .. Problem has been fixed. Replace the transducer and EVERYTHING works as advertised!

I use a Lowrance for both hard and soft water. Sometimes I forget to switch it to ice fishing mode. Not saying that's the issue, but worth a double check.

Call Angling Outfitters in Woodstock 519-539-5494. Ask for Josh or Monty. These guys will step through with you. I bet they can help you out without issue. These guys rock when it comes to lowarnce units.

Glad to hear that the tranducer was the issue and has been replaced. Jocelyn at Angling Outfitters is a Lowrance Wizard if you need any set up help. IMO, Lowrance doesn't provide sufficient information in the manual to maximize the functions on that unit.

I just bought the lowrance hook 4 from angling outfitters. I haven't used it fishing yet. I was p###### with it the other night on my kitchen island. I hung the ducer off the side, about 3' off the floor. It was reading 10'. Picked up small things I put under it really well. Maybe I have to set the depth. Josylin went through some things quick with me but it didn't all sink in I guess lol. I might take it back and have him go through again with me. Maybe the ducer not being in water could mess the readings up?