Raymarine Dragonfly7 Review

This is the best downscan fishfinder I’ve used and I had a chance to use Humminbird 597 DI and Lowrance HDS with structure scan. The Dragonfly screen is bigger than Humminbird 597 and it is much cheaper than Lowrance. The display has more detail than the other 2 model, don’t know if it’s because of CHIRP or better software. This fishfinder is great value.

This fishfinder is in my opinion the best product in its price range and by a wide margin. The clarity of sonar returns is unparalleled. Down imaging sonars by Humminbird use 2 frequencies to produce the image, this fishfinder uses the whole spectrum and the difference is huge. Dragonfly is better than 9 inch displays from other manufacturers, great value.

I recently sold a boat with Humminbird 998 on it and started looking for a fishfinder for my new boat. I was prepared to spend $1500 for a Humminbird or Lowrance when I saw this unit and decided to buy it. For half the price I got a unit that is much better than my old 998. The detail in the sonar display is unbelievable. The sonar uses the whole range of frequencies as opposed to just 2 frequencies used by Humminbird. My only problem with this unit is that the transducer cable was much too short for my 26′ boat but that was very easily resolved with an extension cable.

This unit can only reach 200 feet deep and the image quality is not as good at higher speeds. However, in shallow water and at lower speeds the Dragonfly is simply unbeatable. The great sonar performance is well documented in the previous reviews. I also wanted to point out that the display is way more visible in direct sunlight than the competitive units. The user manual that comes with the unit is useless but you can get a very good manual from the Raymarine website.

I like the Dragonfly 7 unit, and it seems simple to operate, with a very good view. Set up is straight forward, and the joystick is great. The only problem I have is the mount. It is not secure, the unit is screwed to the dash, center screw is very snug, but the screen bounces a lot on the tilt angle, side to side seems OK. I will have a custom mount made for it and I think that will solve the problem.

I would have given it a 5 rating, but I have a few dislikes.

The boat icon is too large and covers the contour lines unless I zoom all the way in. Something 1/4 the size or a transparent color would have been perfect.

No shortcuts. I have to leave the screen to switch back and forth between functions.

Still haven’t seen any picture like images of fish even though the sonar says that they are under the boat.

It takes a little long to boot up.

So, what’s good about it?

The GPS hooked up inside my shed under a metal roof. My Humminbird GPS unit was not dependable under the small aluminum top on my boat–the reason I bought the Dragonfly 7 in the first place.

Sonar marks the fish and depth on a screen that can be seen. All screens are very easy to see and it’s big enough. Down imaging gives me a clear picture of the bottom, trees, etc., just no fish that look like a picture. All things considered, I can live with it.

The price was a huge determining factor. Comparable units are grossly over priced.

Read in FULL to understand my rating.

Purchased my Dragon Fly 7 exactly 2 years ago. All in all have been happy with the unit, screen size and resolution. Recently, the downscan and water info didn’t work. Thought the transducer may have popped out (emergency release) and ‘flopping’ free. Not the case. Two pins in the back of the unit got bent, and when I plug the cable in they got pushed flat. I knew what was going to happen when I tried to straighten them, yep they broke off. Called Raymarine, told them the problem and the model. Shipped it to them, and insured the package (almost $100 shipping cost).

Raymarine tech called me yesterday with an update, and was told…’we can NOT repair this unit. It’s “sealed”, and the ONLY repairs they can do on any Dragon Fly is software related.’ The tech kindly and quickly offered to sell me a new replacement unit at a discounted price. Come to find out this is Raymarines policy offer to any Dragon Fly owner with a broken unit. “We are trying to get theses units off the market”.

So, here’s where I am; $600 into the unit, $100 spent on shipping which should have been avoided as Raymarine failed to tell me the No Repair Policy despite me identifying the unit by name and a mechanical repair needed, and now being told I have to spend another $300 if I want a working unit (grand total $1,000 if I take their deal on a replacement unit). $1,000 will buy a pretty nice unit or at least go a long way toward one, vs. buying a ‘paper weight’ and a throw away unit. My frustration should be obvious. This is not a $200 throw away unit. Despite the good performance of the unit, buyer beware…if you have any issues outside of software you’re SOL!

The unit performed well…RAYMARINE does not; this my rating of 2!!!

Congrats Lowrance, Simrad or Garmin, you’re getting a new customer shortly!

Same problem as many have had, pins break off. Sent my unit in as advised by the terse Service Rep. And am waiting for a decision ( they won’t fix it, just hope you won’t be bothered sending it back)!

They know there is a pin problem as is evidenced in them developing a new connector, yet pretend it is operator error. Not impressed with the post sales service!

Well here’s an update. Paid $30 to ship it back to the Service Center as directed.As expected it was a waste of time and money they called to say it was non repairable but offered a small discount on a new unit. After shipping etc was factored in, the unit is cheaper locally than what they offered.
They refuse to admit there was a problem with their plug design, yet are quick to tell you they have upgraded it? The service rep told me contrary to what people are saying on the Internet, it’s all operator error. Essentially if you never unplug it for storage there isn’t a problem. Bet if you leave it at home in the box it’s a great product!

I own a dragonfly 7 and All the features are increadibly true but its the 4th time I am changing the unit under warranty. It has a defect that after some time the unit will stop reading the map. Also you will not be able to transfer your waypoints. This is a very sad sitiuation because its just a time bomb after purchasing a new unit. I still love all the features but its an unreliable unit.