Main trade-off
Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
SplitShot HD does not provide side imaging.
Head-to-head
Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD vs Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD: Seven-inch TripleShot adds side structure views beyond below-boat sonar
The short answer
Choose a compact below-boat setup or add SideScan and a larger screen.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Physical screen area at the published aspect ratio
Eagle 5 SplitShot HD provides about 11 square inches of display area and Eagle 7 TripleShot HD about 21.6. This helps judge viewing distance and split-screen comfort.
What this is based on
Area = diagonal² × horizontal pixels × vertical pixels ÷ (horizontal pixels² + vertical pixels²), assuming square pixels and the published diagonal. Values are geometric estimates, not active-area measurements.
Main trade-off
Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD
It is not a networked live-sonar platform.
Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- Choose it for
- You need compact downward sonar with lower draw
- The SplitShot HD sonar setup matches your fishing
- Main trade-off
- SplitShot HD does not provide side imaging.
Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD
- Choose it for
- You want included side imaging and a seven-inch display
- The TripleShot HD sonar setup matches your fishing
- Main trade-off
- It is not a networked live-sonar platform.
About this comparison
Compare Eagle 5 SplitShot HD and Eagle 7 TripleShot HD by included sonar, display workspace, chart support and battery needs for your boat.
Choose a compact below-boat setup or add SideScan and a larger screen.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Reading sonar from the normal seated position
This move changes both size and transducer. Eagle 7 TripleShot HD adds side imaging, while Eagle 5 SplitShot HD remains a downward-looking setup.
- Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD
- Depends
Choosing a map and small-battery setup
The pixel matrix stays 800 ×480. The larger screen gives more physical viewing space without adding addressable pixels.
- Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD
- Depends
Reusing hardware or expanding the boat system
Eagle 7 is 43.8mm wider and draws 550mA at 12V compared with 280mA for Eagle 5. Plan the mounting track and battery alongside the sonar upgrade.
- Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD
- Depends
The side-imaging upgrade adds about 26Wh over eight hours
The stated draw difference is 0.27A at 12V, or3.24W. Eight hours adds 25.92Wh, before battery reserve and other electronics.
- Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD
- Depends
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Physical screen area at the published aspect ratio
Eagle 5 SplitShot HD provides about 11 square inches of display area and Eagle 7 TripleShot HD about 21.6. This helps judge viewing distance and split-screen comfort.
How we reached this conclusion
Area = diagonal² × horizontal pixels × vertical pixels ÷ (horizontal pixels² + vertical pixels²), assuming square pixels and the published diagonal. Values are geometric estimates, not active-area measurements.
A 12.8V10Ah battery with 20% held in reserve
The 102.4Wh working allowance gives about 30.5 hours at the Eagle 5 SplitShot HD published electrical point and 15.5 hours at the Eagle 7 TripleShot HD point.
How we reached this conclusion
Assume 12.8V ×10Ah ×0.8 =102.4Wh usable for this device alone. Published-point power is 0.28A ×12V =3.4W and 0.55A ×12V =6.6W. HELIX input is assumed 12V because the draw specification omits test voltage. Ignore converter loss, temperature and battery aging. This is not a measured runtime comparison.
The side-imaging upgrade adds about 26Wh over eight hours
The stated draw difference is 0.27A at 12V, or3.24W. Eight hours adds 25.92Wh, before battery reserve and other electronics.
How we reached this conclusion
(0.55 minus 0.28) ×12 ×8 =25.92Wh. This is a specification-based estimate, not a measured trip runtime.
Choice A
Lowrance, Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
A five-inch IPS fishfinder and chartplotter with SplitShot HD for CHIRP and downward structure views. Its small case and published 280mA draw suit compact 12V setups.
- Best matched use
- Compact below-boat sonar with chart cards
Checked facts
- 5-inch 800 × 480 IPS display
- SplitShot HD included
- 280mA at 12V with full backlight
- Genesis Live, 0.5ft contours
Choice B
Lowrance, Eagle 7 TripleShot HD
Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD
The unit has a 7-inch display. The named Amazon configuration includes a transducer.
- Best matched use
- fish from a kayak and map an uncharted lake
Checked facts
- The unit has a 7-inch display.
- The named Amazon configuration includes a transducer.
- Side imaging is included in the named configuration.
- Charting or live mapping is supported.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD | Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display diagonal | 5 inches | 7 inches | Larger physical views help when the unit sits farther from the seat. |
| Published electrical point | 0.28A at 12V | 0.55A at 12V | Use the stated conditions when sizing a battery. HELIX voltage is a nominal 12V assumption. |
| Included transducer | SplitShot HD | TripleShot HD | This exact bundle determines the supplied sonar modes and installation hardware. |
| Side imaging | Not included | Included | A below-boat image does not replace a left-right structure scan. |
| Bare body width | 182.1mm | 225.9mm | Leave additional room for the bracket and cable exits. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- This selected package is the base transducer bundle. A C-MAP DISCOVER card is a separate named package. Verify included regional charts and the exact lake.
If you choose Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD
- Chart coverage still depends on the exact US bundle, not the Eagle name alone.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You need compact downward sonar with lower draw
Choose Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD. This move changes both size and transducer. Eagle 7 TripleShot HD adds side imaging, while Eagle 5 SplitShot HD remains a downward-looking setup.
You want included side imaging and a seven-inch display
Choose Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD. The pixel matrix stays 800 ×480. The larger screen gives more physical viewing space without adding addressable pixels.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Separate the screen from the sonar bundle
This move changes both size and transducer. Eagle 7 TripleShot HD adds side imaging, while Eagle 5 SplitShot HD remains a downward-looking setup.
Choose the maps and electrical plan
The pixel matrix stays 800 ×480. The larger screen gives more physical viewing space without adding addressable pixels.
Check the installation and future system
Eagle 7 is 43.8mm wider and draws 550mA at 12V compared with 280mA for Eagle 5. Plan the mounting track and battery alongside the sonar upgrade.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- These are manufacturer-specification comparisons without on-water testing.
- Screen pixels and contour spacing do not establish sonar or depth accuracy.
- Chart cards, mounting accessories and networked live sonar require exact model compatibility checks.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current fish finders comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
Only 5 of 23 models checked match every need here: “Read split screens at a glance” and “Scan both sides of the boat”.
5 matching models from 23 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “Read split screens at a glance” and “Scan both sides of the boat”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD | No positive match recorded for these needs |
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| Lowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
You need compact downward sonar with lower draw
See price & reviews on AmazonLowrance Eagle 7 TripleShot HD
You want included side imaging and a seven-inch display
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.