Raymarine Dragonfly Review: 4-Pro, 5-Pro, and 7
Raymarine has been a reliable source of fish finders and sonar technology designed specifically for large saltwater boats for a very long time. Raymarine has entered the freshwater industry with the introduction of the Dragonfly range of fish finders. This marks the company’s first product line designed specifically for this sector. High-resolution screens and cutting-edge DownVision sonar that has been enhanced with CHIRP are also available aboard the Dragonfly, and they are both reasonably priced for weekend anglers.
Is a Down Vision fish finder the best option for your requirements?
In addition to helping you find the answer to that issue, our analysis of the Raymarine Dragonfly will provide you with a solid grasp of how to make the most of the remarkable features provided by the CHIRP augmented DownVision.
Dragonfly Series Overview
Table could not be displayed.Inside the box
- DownVision Transducer (CPT-DVS)
- Unit Documentation Booklet
- Dragonfly Fish Finder
- Pivoting Ball Mount with mounting hardware
- Mounting hardware for the transom
DownVision Dragonfly CHIRP Sonar
The Dragonfly series’ CHIRP enhanced DownVision is without a doubt its most alluring feature for potential customers. The shared high-definition images that look like they are in three dimensions are truly amazing. When CHIRP functionality is added to DownVision, the result is a tremendous technological advancement that still has affordable packaging. Anyone can benefit from this website’s magnificent photographs and incredibly easy-to-use interface, from weekend anglers to seasoned tour operators.
How straightforward is it to implement? Starting, there are only three buttons, plus a dial and one in the center (joystick on the 6 and 7 models). This should relieve your mind if you are worried about a fish detector having too many buttons since you are not as “tech smart” as other people. There are nine or more buttons on other fish finders. You can switch between some different perspectives by turning the crank, including DownVision, CHIRP sonar, GPS mapping, and split screen combinations. The split screen CHIRP and DownVision capabilities are two of my all-time favorites for the finest outcomes when it comes to finding structure and fish.
A high-quality down imaging or CHRIP fish finder is available in a wide range of alternate possibilities. Three notable companies that each have a distinct approach to the technology are Lowrance, Garmin, and Humminbird. To compare the fish finders that interest you side by side, look at our ratings of the models made by those companies below.
- Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP G2
- Lowrance Elite Ti Dragonfly Series
- Garmin Striker
- Garmin Echomap UHD
- Lowrance Elite Ti
Key Features and Specifications
Raymarine unveiled the technology known as Wi-Fi SH this year. It allows you to send live video from your fish finder to a smartphone or tablet, among other mobile devices. You can stream your sonar directly into your mobile device, be it a smartphone or a tablet, after downloading the Wi-FISH app from either iTunes or Android.
Black Wi-Fi SH Box Another choice is to get the Wi-Fi SH Black Box Sonar and use your smartphone as a fish detector instead of a conventional one. The Dragonfly units also come with a CHIRP DownVision transducer, which is also included with the Wi-FISH Black Box. The “black box” transmits sonar data to your Wi-FISH app and interacts with the transducer. CHIRP Sonar DownVision Dragonfly It’s a great idea when you think about it.
Displays with optical bonds The Dragonfly fish finders have bonded displays, which contribute significantly to their attractive appearance. Bonded means that an optical gel material is used to fill the space between the LCD screen and the screen glass. In addition to allowing all the brilliance to shine through, this makes it far easier to view from a variety of angles. You won’t have to worry about your fish finder fogging up any longer, which is another benefit. This problem will no longer exist.
By acquiring a MicroSD Reader, Jeppesen C-MAP, Hotmaps, SonarChart, or Navionics Gold, you can increase the functionality of your Dragonfly fish detector. You just need to place the map card into the MicroSD card slot to get started.
Attachment for a ball and socket This tiny mount, which is included on the Dragonfly 4 and 5, is just adorable. It is simple to swivel and angle the display to almost any position that may be needed because it works similarly to a RAM mount that is built in. Friction, rather than plastic ratchets, is employed to spin and angle the unit, which adds to its high level of robustness.
Dragonfly Screenshoots
Dragonfly’s transducer
The design of the Dragonfly transducer is absolutely lovely. It features a streamlined body that is long and narrow, which is great for lowering the amount of turbulence in the water, I’m sure. The cable leaves the transducer at the extreme back and emerges in a straight line behind the mounting bracket. I find this appealing because it doesn’t leave a cable loop that might tangle with something while you’re on your trailer or out on the lake.
It seems like the mounting bracket will last a very long time. The transducer may be ratcheted up or down to reach the optimal angle for the sonar beams, and the package also includes a plastic pivot mount that appears to be solid and can be bolted into your transom. If you’re interested in purchasing one, you may do so on their website where they have a transducer placed to a trolling motor.
According to Raymarine, the CPT-DVS transducer contains not just one, but two distinct sonar components. While the second produces a cone-shaped beam that is utilized for CHIRP sonar, the first beam is a narrow 1.4 degree super wide beam that creates the images required for DownVision. The length of the wires varies between 4 and 6 meters, depending on which Dragonfly model you select (the Dragonfly4, the Dragonfly5, or the Dragonfly 7). I can only infer from the page’s uncertainty that the 7 has the longer cable.
Should you purchase a dragonfly?
The user-friendliness, simplicity of installation, and clarity of the Down Vision and CHIRP images of the Raymarine Dragonfly fish finders have resulted in a loyal client base.
Depending on your preferences, I think any of the Dragonfly models would function well as a fish finder for a kayak or the console of a fishing boat. Down Vision works well and appears best when the car is not moving, thus I would advise mounting it on the console.
There’s always a chance you’ll end up adoring the Dragonfly so much you mount one on your trolling motor to get those lovely pictures of it at the front of the boat while you’re fishing.
