The new Hook 5 by Lowrance is part of their new Hook line of fish finders designed to cater to anglers of any budget. The Hook 5 is a combination fish finder and GPS chart plotter developed for anglers wanting a great value, but who are not willing to sacrifice on quality. It delivers on both counts with features generally only found on units costing significantly more money. The Hook 5 fish finder is a 2016 upgraded version of the very popular Lowrance Elite-5 HDI released in 2013.
Lowrance took all the features that made their Elite-5 HDI fish finder such a resounding success and improved on both its simplicity of operation and performance. The new Hook 5 has a crystal-clear five-inch display screen, measured diagonally, where you can view GPS charts, traditional sonar and DownScan sonar.
The new Hook 5 display provides a sharp 800- by 480-DPI resolution that produces vivid 16-bit colors. The Hook 5 runs on frequencies of 455/800 kHz for DownScan sonar imaging and 83/200 kHz frequencies for traditional sonar.
Lowrance upgraded both the menu and control buttons from the Elite-5 HDI, making the new Hook 5 unit much easier to use. This allows you to switch between all three screen and all features with just one finger, a highly useful feature when you are trying to compare data from GPS points and sonar. Other features include:
● Insight Genesis custom mapping software allowing you to create your own detailed maps of your favorite fishing holes from your own sonar logs.
● Advanced digital Signal Processing, or APS, that cuts down on the need to manually control settings to locate fish or see structure in precise detail.
● TrackBack Map History that allows you to review and chronicle sonar map histories of structure and transition areas and pinpoint way-points from previous passes or fishing trips.
● A multiple-window display allows you to easily select several preset page layouts.
Perhaps the most significant upgrade is the addition of the “CHIRP” sonar that sends out pulses of sound in a fan-like pattern, so there are a lot more echo returns for the transducer to pick up. The redesigned software then analyzes the readings to provide you with a clear picture of the fish’s world.
The new CHIRP sonar is a giant leap forward in fish-finding technology, as just a few years ago it was so expensive it could only be found on commercial fishing systems. Now that the CHIRP technology has come down in price the consumer-fishing experience has dramatically improved.
The new Hook 5 uses a highly sensitive GPS antenna that is able to precisely map and overlay your position on the display. The new software provides highly-detailed maps with over 3,000 lakes, rivers and coastal areas with contours up to 1,000 feet deep.
Even though the Hook 5 standard mapping system is more that adequate for virtually all fishing applications, the mapping software is easily upgraded via the MicroSD card slot. Some of the available chart software upgrades that are compatible with the Hook 5 include:
● Navionics
● Lake Insight
● Nautic Insight PRO
● Fishing HotSpots PRO
● HotMaps Premium
The Hook 5 also offers GPS chart upgrade options, including Jeppesen and Navionics maps.
Aside from the new upgrades, all of Lowrance’s basic features are included on the Hook 5. Some of these features include the ability to:
● Save and replay previous GPS and sonar readings.
● Adjust sonar sensitivity.
● Adjust the view shown on the display.
● Set GPS alarms.
● Set depth alarms.
● Read and record the water temperature at various locations and depths.
Overall, for all the pros the Lowrance Hook 5 has, perhaps the only drawback is battery life, which could be a little longer as you will need to switch or recharge the batteries for multiple-day excursions. Still, for all the features it provides anglers at this price point, the Hook 5 is at the leading edge of fish-finding technology. Used properly, the Hook 5 can make a tremendous difference in your ability to find and catch all species of fish in all kinds of water and any type of structure. You can get a great deal on Lowrance Hook 5 here.
| Raymarine Dragonfly 5PRO | Lowrance Hook 5 | Humminbird Helix 5 DI GPS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Screen Size | 5 in | 5 in | 5 in |
| Screen Resolution | 800 x 480 pixels | 480 x 480 pixels | 480 x 800 pixels |
| Display Type | 16-bit color TFT | 256-color TFT | 256 colors TFT |
| Imaging | 2D using CHIRP DownVision using CHIRP | 2D with CHIRP, Down Imaging | 2D, Down Imaging |
| Transducer Type | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor |
| Transmit Power | 500W RMS 4000W Peak-To-Peak | 500W RMS 4000W Peak-To-Peak | 500W RMS 4000W Peak-To-Peak |
| Sonar Frequency | 200 kHz Sonar/350 kHz Down Vision | 455/800 kHz DownScan Imaging Med, High CHIRP 83kHz/200kHz 2D | 200/455 kHz 2D 455/800 kHz Down Imaging |
| Maximum Depth | 600 ft | 1000ft | 600 ft 2D 350 ft Down Imaging |
| MSRP | $549 | $399 | $349 |
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