CHIRP Technology Takes Sonar to New Heights
OutdoorHub 06.27.14
Ever since Lowrance opened anglers’ eyes to the underwater world with the iconic “Green Box” back in the 1950s, sonar has been helping folks catch more fish. And while these original units still work wonders, advancements in features and functions have steadily raised the bar in acoustic performance.
Today, cutting-edge technology in Lowrance’s all-new Elite CHIRP Series is adding yet another high-tech twist to the sonar scene. Short for “compressed high-intensity radar pulse,” it scans a broad range of frequencies to up the ante in sensitivity, target separation, noise rejection and even ease of use.
Extremely sensitive, with less clutter than traditional sonar, CHIRP spotlights gamefish in a variety of scenarios, ranging from shallow-water insect hatches in murky rivers (above) to deep, clear lakes (below).
“Traditional single-frequency sonar paints an amazing picture of what lies beneath the surface, especially when you’re talking about top-shelf systems featuring Lowrance’s Broadband Sounder and DownScan Imaging,” says veteran guide, tournament champ and admitted electronics junkie Scott Glorvigen. “But you’re still faced with tradeoffs,” he continues. “If you crank up the sensitivity to see more fish, clutter increases throughout the water column. And if you dial it down, you run the risk of missing fish or losing detail.”
“CHIRP makes the best sonar better,” he continues. “You get incredible sensitivity without added clutter. In fact, noise rejection actually increases, while target resolution goes through the roof.” As a result, it’s possible to spot hungry predators harassing pods of suspended baitfish, even when the larger fish are lurking along the edge or even slashing at prey hidden deep within the school. “And thanks to improved separation, it’s easy to see fish tucked tight to the bottom or holding close to structure and cover,” he adds.
CHIRP’s high-octane pulses also produce crisp returns at faster boat speeds than traditional sonar, engendering speed-reading sessions that allow anglers to quickly cover water while on the hunt for big fish.
“The secret to CHIRP is the sonar signal itself,” Glorvigen confides. “Instead of scanning with short bursts of single-frequency ultrasound like regular sonar, it fires off longer-duration ‘chirps’ that sweep a wide range of frequencies, typically from around 50 to 83 kHz all the way up to 800 kHz. Such high-power, broad-spectrum beams yield a remarkably clear picture, without the judicious settings tweaking often required with conventional sonar.”
CHIRP isn’t just for deep-water walleyes. It’s a great tool for targeting bass and other skinny water gamefish.
Also of interest to serious fish-seekers, the Elite CHIRP Series uses affordable Lowrance HDI Skimmer transducers capable of hitting low, medium and high CHIRP sonar ranges and displaying two user-selected ranges simultaneously, so you can dial in which range is best for the conditions at hand.
An extension of Lowrance’s widely acclaimed and wildly popular HDI lineup, the Elite CHIRP Series includes the Elite-5 and Elite-7 fishfinder/ chartplotter and fishfinder-only models.
In addition to CHIRP, all feature the scanning power of DownScan Imaging and single-frequency Broadband Sounder technology, dispensed via either an 83/200/455/800 kHz or 50/200/455/800 kHz Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) transducer. High-resolution, full-color displays with multi-window options are also standard. Sonar-plotter combos pack the navigational wallop of a built-in GPS antenna, detailed mapping options and the hydrographic map-making wizardry of Insight Genesis.
“With units starting at $499 and all retailing for less than $870, Lowrance’s new CHIRP models are affordable, too,” says Glorvigen, noting that the price range even includes sonar/chartplotter combos bundled with Navionics+ cartography, which features enhanced mapping details for coastal and inland lakes. “Now everyone can reap the rewards of the latest sonar advancements, without breaking the bank.”
See Scott’s on-the-water review of Lowrance’s new Elite CHIRP Series.
