Lowrance HOOK-5 Fishfinder/Chartplotter Combo

If you were a fan of the popular Elite-5 HDI, then you are going to be even happier with the Hook-5.

With an easy on the eyes 5-inch screen, you can’t help but be pleased with the sharpness of images. Its 480x480 screen resolution is backed up with enhanced 455/800 kHz for DownScan Imaging and 83/200 kHz for better sonar.

You can have just one screen, split screen, side by side or top/bottom views. The choices are endless in the menu settings.

Being a person that normally does not read directions first, I turned the HOOK-5 on and began to play with the menu. I was able to easily set it up to my specifications. When not sure of a setting, I turned to the manual included in the box. The manual made it easy to find out not only what I was looking at, but also how and why to choose a particular setting.

The built in GPS is very sensitive. I was able to watch myself kayak across a lake or to my spot to begin fishing. I made waypoints and marked my path so I could easily get back to launch or go back to a particular spot where I was catching fish.

I found the built in maps nice and well detailed. Lowrance says it holds more than 3000 U.S. lakes and rivers. If you are a person requiring more detail or located outside the United States, there is a MicroSD slot you can purchase from other third party companies. The water temperature readings were also a great feature. I found them to be very accurate.

The CHIRP Sonar is now priced low enough to be in reach of consumers. It works by sending out frequencies in a pulsing, sweeping motion to give you more returns and provide you better imaging and sonar quality. Older systems only sent out a single frequency.

Included in the box was, of course, the unit itself, a stand, wiring with fuse, and installation instructions with a diagram for drilling holes. One thing I did not receive was the transducer. So, the transducer will be an additional cost for the consumer. The HOOK-5 will work with the older style transducer, but to take advantage of CHIRP and the DownScan Imaging, you will want to upgrade or purchase a transducer matched to your HOOK unit.

I have an Elite-4 and enjoy using that unit. Since I have started using the HOOK-5 though, the DownScan Imaging has not only helped my fishing, but makes it fun to see things on the bottom of the lake as well.

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While using the HOOK-5, I happened to take a spill in my kayak. The unit submerged in the water for a short time, but obviously it is waterproof and did not mess up the unit at all.

Pricing does tend to jump from model to model, so be sure to know which unit best fits your needs.

For more information, please visit http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/.

Review written by Gary Elliott, facilitator of www.GarysOutdoorNewsandReviews.net.