new lowrance elite-4 question

hardwater fisherman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
1,725
i just bought a lowrance elite-4 and i noticed that it has two ports, but only one cord. the cord i have is for the transducer as well as the power. it goes in the port marked power. the other port is marked temp2. the manual states that it is for an optional speed/temp sensor. it is a paddle wheel type. on the specs page it says transducer with built in temp sensor. and i would assume the speed will be calculated by the gps. so what is the optional speed/temp sensor for, and do i need it?
 

pikefisherman

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 8, 2010
Messages
324
Re: new lowrance elite-4 question

If its the same as mine, the temp. is threw the transducer, but the unit will not show speed as far as I know. I get my speed from the i-pilot,try using your cell phone for speed if possible.
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: new lowrance elite-4 question

You can use either the paddle wheel speed sensor or the GPS, the boat speed can read very different depending on which you use.
 

hardwater fisherman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
1,725
Re: new lowrance elite-4 question

If its the same as mine, the temp. is threw the transducer, but the unit will not show speed as far as I know. I get my speed from the i-pilot,try using your cell phone for speed if possible.
i read the manual a little further and it states that it it gives speed up to 70 mph.
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: new lowrance elite-4 question

ok thanks. which one will give the more accurate speed?

It depends, the paddle tells you your speed over water, the GPS tells you the speed over Land.

Going up river in a 5mph current the paddle wheel will read the actual boat speed over water. So staying in place it will read 5 mph. The GPS will read 0 mph at the same time. Going down river at 5 mph the paddle will again read 5mph, now the GPS will read 10mph.

In water with no current the GPS will be more accurate.
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: new lowrance elite-4 question

Also, the manual isn't of much value in figuring out how to use the unit, it doesn't go into enough detail on anything.

Read it a few times and then just start playing with it, it'll take awhile but you'll get the hang if it.
 
Last edited:

Pale Rider

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 6, 2014
Messages
49
Re: new lowrance elite-4 question

Also, the manual isn't of much value in figuring out how to use the unit, it doesn't go into enough detail on anything.

Read if a few times and then just start playing with it, it'll take awhile but you'll get the hang if it.

I have the Lowrance Elite-4m Gold 3.5-Inch Color Chartplotter /GPS that I use for course and GPS. I don`t have the temp sensor or transducer. I agree with you on the manual, I`ve had to go into the menu`s to learn how to delete trails etc etc and just figure out what I want it to do... otherwise it is a great little unit...:D
 

Attachments

  • P1020253.jpg
    P1020253.jpg
    141.1 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:

hardwater fisherman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
1,725
Re: new lowrance elite-4 question

Also, the manual isn't of much value in figuring out how to use the unit, it doesn't go into enough detail on anything.

Read if a few times and then just start playing with it, it'll take awhile but you'll get the hang if it.

yes i did notice it wasnt very detailed. i did watch a few videos and those helped more than the manual.
 

R DAVIS

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 12, 2012
Messages
34
Re: new lowrance elite-4 question

I suggest you go to the Lowrance website and download the free Product Emulator for the Elite 5. It has all the same functions and menus as the Elite 4, but in a larger unit. The emulator will let you learn how to use and program your unit. Play with it and you will learn a lot. Go here and scroll down to Elite 5. (Not Elite 5 X)

Product Emulators
 

hardwater fisherman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
1,725
Re: new lowrance elite-4 question

I suggest you go to the Lowrance website and download the free Product Emulator for the Elite 5. It has all the same functions and menus as the Elite 4, but in a larger unit. The emulator will let you learn how to use and program your unit. Play with it and you will learn a lot. Go here and scroll down to Elite 5. (Not Elite 5 X)

Product Emulators
thanks for the link it is very helpful.
 

jerrysharrett

Recruit
Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Messages
5
Re: new lowrance elite-4 question

I suggest you go to the Lowrance website and download the free Product Emulator for the Elite 5. It has all the same functions and menus as the Elite 4, but in a larger unit. The emulator will let you learn how to use and program your unit. Play with it and you will learn a lot. Go here and scroll down to Elite 5. (Not Elite 5 X)

Product Emulators

I can no get the Lowrance emulators to run on Windows 8. Anyone know any tricks?
 
Top