Reidy91

Hi guys, new to the forum here. Due to the lack of user reviews, I thought I would drop a line on the new Lowrance Elite 4x HDI that I recently purchased and fitted up to my 3.85 Quintrex. Replacing a Humminbird Wide 200, anything was going to be a quantum leap. But for the money ($249 BCF), this unit ticked all the right boxes. The HDI/Conventional combination is handy, the screen size is larger than the earlier elite 4 and 4x and the screen clarity is sensational for such a small unit. I compare it favourable to some of the earlier touch screen mobiles we were using not that long ago. It reads well in full sunlight, where I found that tilting the display downward improved the view in full sunlight. The settings are relatively easy to use, this being my first 'real' sounder. I found the downscan to be the most useful in the soupy Brisbane River. Crossing the Moggil Ferry route, I was easily able to pick up the cables laying in 5 m of water. Finding fish was more complicated, mostly attributed to my lack of experience in the matter. Crossing over particular dropoffs continuously gave me enough confidence to call the blobs sitting 1 m off the bottom fish rather than suspended rubbish. It operated well up to and beyond planing speed. everyone here knows well enough how clear an image of submerged snags are with downscan, and this unit is no exception. I opted for the basic sounder unit over the plotter/sounder, mainly because of my preference for casting lures to structure in shallow water, the cost and the relatively small screen size. I can use my Garmin etrex to drop waypoints if i really need to. I will endeavour to post some pics if there is interest. Very happy Lowrance owner! Reidy

Hi guys, first post here I believe, been reading for a while - another excellent forum. Having just watched my fishing and diving weekend go pear shaped due the heavy rains in SE QLD, I plan to make amends at the Gold Coast/Tweed Wed-Fri this week. I have a 3.85 m Quintrex which I managed to get out on the upper Brisbane River after a failed attempt to get to Borumba Dam for some bass and toga. It was enough to try out my new Lowrance Elite 4x HDI, which is simply awesome for the money. I plan to fish the broadwater, canals and perhaps the seaway if the swell and weather permit for my little tub. After such heavy rain, does anyone have any experience fishing these areas and will it be worth me heading down there for 3 days? My target species are flathead, bream, whiting and EP's. From what I can gather, the exceptionally dry weather we've been having along with the autumn solstice may be triggering some species to move down stream to spawn. I prefer SPs and harbodies/vibes to bait although I will get the yabby pump out if I feel like some whiting. Thanks Reidy