New combo choice

Hi all,

Continuing research into combo options to upgrade on my Quintrex bayhunter 475.  At the moment have an old Lowrance X48 greyscale and use my phone with the navionics app for navigation, which is functional but a bit of a pain.  After a lot of reading and price research, I'm looking at either the Raymarine Dragonfly Sonar with Navionics gold for $849 or the Lowrance Elite 5 for around $739 with gold card included as well.

Asking whether the extra cash for the Dragonfly is worth it or the cheaper Lowrance is a better deal? 

I'm inexperienced in using these and will have to learn pretty fast. Which would be easier to learn on/use?

I'm not great with electronics. Is it easy to install or should I get someone to do it for me?

As always, looking forward to feedback and advice. I have read through the recent posts using the search function but now interested in opinions of others who have had experience with these units.

Thanks 

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 Quintrex Bayhunter 475

 Randell 28 Cabin Cruiser

 Savage 4.2 Centre console

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Posts: 2925

Date Joined: 27/12/06

combo

Wed, 2013-08-14 11:46

I Havent used the dragonfly so cant help you there but my previous boat was a bayhunter and it will be easy to install this stuff on.  RHS of your steering wheel should be a switch panel and if you lay on your back on the the floor under there and look up you should see two busbars one red (positive) and one black (negative) easy to hook onto them and your switching panel (you will need crimps for the panel)

transducers are easy enough with little bit of reading of the manual first. 

On the units I have heard the Lowrance HDS is alot better than the elite

flexn's picture

Posts: 232

Date Joined: 19/03/12

I have a lowrance hds 8 and a

Thu, 2013-08-15 13:23

I have a lowrance hds 8 and a 5. I'm getting a dragon fly as well, they look pretty good in shallow water, but I haven't used one on the water. I helped a mate install one the other day and they are very easy to function. If I was you, i would go the dragon fly.

buddharock's picture

Posts: 92

Date Joined: 19/09/12

Thanks

Fri, 2013-08-16 18:25

Dragonfly is looking the goods and seems a similar price around the place.  Will probably head to Whitworths as I like the service and instant gratification of buying in a shop.

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 Quintrex Bayhunter 475

 Randell 28 Cabin Cruiser

 Savage 4.2 Centre console

Posts: 2946

Date Joined: 03/03/10

review on dragonfly

Fri, 2013-08-16 18:32

vinesh87 has posted some reviews on his dragonfly they look to be value for money although I must say lowrance have great back up service if you ever have a drama with a bit of their gear

catchalittle's picture

Posts: 1875

Date Joined: 04/09/08

go lowrance easy to use and

Fri, 2013-08-16 19:23

go lowrance easy to use and as Pete said they have great back up service

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Nathan

buddharock's picture

Posts: 92

Date Joined: 19/09/12

input

Wed, 2013-08-21 22:02

Thanks for the input guys.  Always happy to read through the accumulated knowledge on this site and thankful for the information provided.

Ended up getting the Dragonfly and weather is looking brilliant for the weekend.  As I mentioned before, I'm not great with electronics and handy stuff but really trying hard to improve and plan jobs thoroughly.

Have a lucky long weekend so looking to install on Friday and hopefully get out Saturday or Sunday to test it out.

Will update with pictures if I'm not too busy catching fish. Fingers crossed. 

____________________________________________________________________________

 Quintrex Bayhunter 475

 Randell 28 Cabin Cruiser

 Savage 4.2 Centre console

Vinesh87's picture

Posts: 2751

Date Joined: 02/04/11

 Dragonfly hands down... Had

Wed, 2013-08-21 22:07

 Dragonfly hands down... Had mine sounding brilliantly in 50m at speed. 

buddharock's picture

Posts: 92

Date Joined: 19/09/12

No power

Fri, 2013-08-23 21:27

What am I doing wrong?  I have connected red to red, black and drain to black and still no power.  Any advice would be handy, going crazy trying to figure it out.

Thanks

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 Quintrex Bayhunter 475

 Randell 28 Cabin Cruiser

 Savage 4.2 Centre console