Lowrance Elite-7 Ti Review
Elite-7 Ti was one of Lowrance’s fish finder/GPS combos launched back in 2016 with substantially more features than Elite-7 CHIRP and HOOK-7. Its full StructureScan, touchscreen navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, TotalScan transducer compatibility, and overall performance put it somewhere between HDS-7 Gen3 and HOOK-7.
Note that this Lowrance Elite-7 Ti review covers the 000-12419-001 model, which comes with a TotalScan transducer (newly released at the time) as well as Lowrance BaseMaps. Keep reading this review to learn all about the unit and its most prominent features.
Pros & Cons
- 2D CHIRP sonar with SideScan and DownScan
- TotalScan transducer
- High-quality touchscreen
- Scans up to 3,000ft
- MicroSD, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NMEA 2000
- Numerous sonar functions
- Sonar recording (TrackBack)
- GPS and compatibility with numerous custom charts
- 36 languages
- Confusing and non-informative instruction manual
Specifications
| Specifications | Lowrance Elite-7 Ti |
|---|---|
| Type | Down Imaging and Side Imaging |
| Sonar | 2D CHIRP, StructureScan (SideScan and DownScan) |
| Transducer | TotalScan, transom mount, number 000-12568-001 |
| Display (size, resolution, backlit, color) | 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel matrix, 16:9 aspect ratio, WVGA color TFT, with adjustable LED backlight |
| Dimensions | 9.26" Width x 5.95" Height x 3" Depth |
| Weight | 2.20 lbs (1.00 kg) |
| Batteries | Not Specified |
| Depth Capability | 1,000 ft (305 m) for the CHIRP sonar 300 ft. (91 m) for DownScan and SideScan |
| Frequency | 50/83/200/455/800 kHz 300′ (91 m) on each side – 455 kHz SideScan 100′ (30 m) on each side – 800 kHz SideScan |
| Power Output | Max 500 Watts (RMS) |
| Power Input | 12 VDC (10-17 VDC min-max) |
| GPS | internal |
| Maps | Enhanced Elite BaseMaps |
| Routes, Waypoints, Tracks | 100; 3,000, 100 (10,000 points per trail) |
| Waterproof | IPX7 |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | yes |
| MicroSD card slot | yes |
Display/Screen
Lowrance Elite-7 Ti features a 7” display, which is the biggest screen in the series but still medium-sized compared to other models. The pixel matrix is 800 x 480 with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The display comes with a PureWhite LED backlight, so you should not have any problems operating the unit even in direct sunlight.
When it comes to water-resistance, Lowrance Elite-7 Ti features an IP-X7 rating, which means it can handle heavy rain, accidental water splashes, and even submersion in 3.3ft of water for up to 30 minutes. On the other hand, it has not been tested against the entry of solid objects like dirt, sand, and dust.
Sonar & Transducer
Lowrance Elite-7 Ti comes with the standard 2D sonar as well as StructureScan, but it is capable of using the CHIRP technology only for traditional 2D imaging. The 2D sonar covers low, medium, and high CHIRP (50/83/200 kHz) while StructureScan can utilize 455 and 800 kHz frequencies.
As we already mentioned in this Lowrance Elite-7 Ti review, the unit comes with a TotalScan transducer, which shares a lot of its characteristics with the older LSS-2 skimmer. However, it is compatible not only with StructureScan but also other types of 2D sonars. The transducer itself can cover 83 and 300 kHz for 2D scanning and 455 and 800 kHz for Side and DownScan. It features a 9-pin connector and temperature sensor and comes with a transom mount and 24ft of power cable. You can also use the cable adapter to connect the unit to an older transducer model already installed on your boat.
Since the transducer cannot release low CHIRPs (50 kHz), you have to use either medium or high frequencies (83 and 200 kHz) or purchase an additional 50/200 kHz transducer. With its out-of-the-box setup, Lowrance Elite-7 Ti’s maximum scanning depth is capped at 1,000ft for 2D and 300ft for StructureScan. If you opt for a more potent transducer, however, the unit itself can reach up to 3,000ft depending on the water conditions and bottom structure, of course.
The side beams reach up to 300ft at 455 kHz and only around 100ft at 800 kHz. The CHIRP sonar utilizes conical beams at 20° for 200 kHz and 60° for 83kHz. This ensures the maximum elimination of excess clutter with better target separation and definition.
The 2D sonar also comes with all the usual functions, including Bottom Lock, Fish ID, Circular Flasher, Amplitude Scope, Temperature Graph, Split-Zoom, and several alarms. The TrackBack and DownScan Overlay features are also available.
The optimal vessel speed for crisp-clear imaging is 307 MPH, but the unit will be able to provide you with a decent bottom reading even at 55 MPH.
Navigation
Lowrance Elite-7 Ti comes with a built-in EGNOS/WAAS/MSAS capable 10 Hz GPS technology. As we already mentioned in this Lowrance Elite-7 Ti review, this particular model comes with preloaded BaseMaps that include over 3,000 US rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. If you so choose, you can always upgrade to Navionics Gold, Lake Insight, Nautic Insight PRO/HD, HotMaps Premium, Insight Genesis custom maps, C-Map Max-N, Fishing HotSpots PRO, and others.
The device is capable of saving up to 3,000 waypoints with 100 routes and trails. You can customize your waypoints with a wide variety of suggestive icons. Lowrance Elite-7 Ti offers several navigational alarms, including Arrival, No GPS Fix, Anchor and Waypoint Radius, XTE, and Low Boat Speed. Finally, 3D chart view is also available.
Lowrance Elite-7 Ti comes with a StructureMap, which allows you to put your charts over SideScan imaging as an overlay. Finally, the unit features the SmartSteer function via NMEA 2000 for MotorGuide Xi5 trolling motors.
Networking
Lowrance Elite-7 Ti comes with a microSD card slot and provides you with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Bluetooth is usually used to sync the unit with a different Bluetooth device (tablet, smartphone…) and control the interface remotely. The Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to download software updates, get Insight Genesis maps from the GoFree Cloud, and more. Apart from this, the unit also comes with the NMEA 2000 output.
What's In The Box
- Lowrance Elite 7 ti
- Quick Release Bracket for Elite/Mark 5" Models
- TotalScan Skimmer Med/High 455/800
- HDS/Elite/Hook/Mark Power Only Cable
- Elite-7 Ti / Ti² Suncover
Verdict
Lowrance Elite-7 Ti is a convenient fish finder/GPS combo with excellent sonar features and capabilities, a high-quality touchscreen, a user-friendly interface, all the relevant networking support, and compatibility with a lot of major chart options. Considering the price of the transducer alone, the package comes with a rather excellent price-to-value ratio.
After going over all the information provided in this Lowrance Elite-7 Ti review, we can conclude that this unit is just perfect for freshwater fishing, but it can definitely hold its own off-shore as well.