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IMAGING
FREQUENCIES
DURABILITY
PRICE
SUMMARY:
The Elite-3X model comes with a 3.5-inch white LED backlit color display and a resolution of 320 x 240-pixels. The advanced signal process will minimize the need for manual settings. It features graphic icons which will help you to identify the fish below the deck precisely. It’s easy to install and use. The price is affordable, and the quality is great.
PROS
- Works in freshwater and saltwater
- Easy installation and adjustment
- IPx7 waterproof rating
- Affordable
CONS
- Clutter on display in deeper water
- Some problems with accuracy
Review
Elite-3X, made by Lowrance marine electronics manufacturer, comes with some great features. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, this device will meet your expectations. Because of its portability, features, and overall quality, this finder is in a high position of our list of valuable products. It’s quite straightforward and easy to use. Anyone can install it in a matter of minutes.
You don’t need to be an expert to get this device working, and you won’t have to hassle with redundant parts and complicated hardware. Its LED color screen will provide crisp and detailed images of the situation underneath the vessel. The adjustable backlight also allows you to use this fish finder by day as well as by night with equal efficiency.
The Specifications
Display size – 3.5 inches
Display resolution – 320 x 240-pixels
Display type – White LED backlit color display
Sonar model – Broadband Sounder
Sonar Frequency – 83 kHz and 200 kHz
Fish ID, Advanced Signal Processing
The Display and the Resolution
Elite 3X comes with a 3.5 inches screen, which is not impressive but it’s satisfactory. Although it might seem like a small screen, it offers enough room for precise readings and distinct patterns, shapes, and forms. The resolution is also quite reliable, 76800 pixels looks nice on a 3.5-inch surface.
The white LED backlight will allow you to use this finder by day as well as by night. The interface is incredibly simple, and it is very easy to use. Once you get the hang of this finder, it becomes a piece of cake.
The Frequencies and the Sonar
Both wave rates work great in different environments. For example, the 200 kHz frequency is optimal for use up until 200 feet of depth. In deeper waters than 200 feet, it’s better to use the lower, 83 kHz frequency. Broadband Sounder relies on pings from a single frequency. This technology is perfect for tracking, finding schools of baitfish, and displaying predator fish.
Also, with this technology you can track the movement and the migration of fish. Broadband Sounder will provide essential and valuable data. The 80 and 200 KHz dual frequency allows the user to enjoy an enhanced underwater view of the situation underneath the vessel.
Other Useful Features
This affordable finder comes with an excellent list of auxiliary features. First of all, Advanced Signal Process minimizes the need to adjust this finder’s settings manually. Because of the ASP, the affordable Elite-3x displays fish, stable structures, and the bottom terrain in much greater detail.
The Power button also controls the backlight feature by adjusting from daylight to nighttime. Page button switches between the 83 kHz and 200 kHz frequencies. The + and – keys allow fishers to see and target areas through 4x zoom capability.
Menu button offers access to the range, sensitivity, noise reduction, frequency, ping speed, color line, fish I.D, overlay data, and settings pages.
It’s quite easy to navigate through the menu considering it’s pretty user-friendly. Fish I.D. allows you to change the way the screen illustrates targets. Visualization options include viewing fish as arches or as more recognizable icons. This function also has alarm and tracking options.
The Upsides and Downsides
The first display-related upside is that the color LED display works for both daytime and nighttime. You can use this device whenever you want and adjust the backlight accordingly. The screen offers different colors and readings for targets, bottom hardness, and thermoclines. This way it’s making it easier for the user to locate fish and navigate different water bodies. It also has graphic icons which will allow you to identify different fish.
Due to its dual-frequency capabilities, anglers enjoy great underwater views on the LED display. The view is great because it utilizes both 83 and 200 KHz frequencies which provide a conical coverage view of 60 degrees and 20 degrees respectively. The 60 degrees solution is suitable for inspecting large areas and viewing large fish arches. The 20 degrees solution comes in handy for enhanced fish targeting where the drop-shooting technique is in use.
That said, this fish finder doesn’t come without drawbacks. For instance, at depths of below 20 feet the screen may display dots. It shows dots because the high-frequency levels produce a lot of clutter on the screen making it impossible for the device to do any readings below 20 feet.
The Quality, Reliability, and Overall Simplicity
This fish finder is well-made, and it has great hardware. Although the size of the screen doesn’t seem impressive, it’s more than enough for an average angler to recognize particular shapes and forms. The sonar quality is also at a high level. When it comes to simplicity, this fish finder takes the prize. It’s extremely straightforward, easy to install, and easy to use. Anyone can mount it, and anyone can learn to use it in a matter of minutes. There are no complicated menus or additional data.
The Conclusion
Elite-3x is a great fish finder for people with limited budget. It’s extremely affordable, and it’s worth every penny. Whether you’re fishing pro or only an enthusiast, you’ll appreciate some of the features this device offers. This device is probably the best fish finder in this price range you can get at the moment. You won’t regret a single thing if you decide to buy this instrument.
