Lowrance HDS5 Gen 2 loss of GPS Signal

[nigel52]

Since new my HDS5 Gen 2 loses GPS signal about 5 minutes after switching on. I either have to power off and on or do a factory reset to get the satellite signal back. Spoke to Lowrance tech staff who just said to do a software update which made no improvement.

Anybody experienced similar problems?

[9D280]

Putting my "eliminate possibilities" hat on, do you have / can you borrow a handheld that squirts out NMEA0183?

I have mine set up such that if I loose the main antenna through some random accident with the A- frame / cabling, I can dive into the console, do a quick re- patch & feed a lat / long into the plotter from my trusty Garmin 12.

Ok, you may need to muck about with choc blocks etc, but if you can feed it a signal from the 0183 in and it does the same thing than you know it's the plotter and not the antenna / cabling. (remember to disconnect the 2K antenna first or you may see some strange things on screen - unless the HDS can average thre two? )



Other thought - does this happen regardless of what you are doing? e.g sat in the marina for 5 mins vs <switch on - blast out & be doing 76 knots> or you always have to cruise down a river to get out & it always happens by the pub on the third bend every time kind of thing?

That might eliminate some form of signal jamming - whether it be a radar or an evil nerd. GPS signals are at best weak on a good day.....

[Nos4r2]

Is it still under warranty? It can't be that old if it's a gen2.

[ring20johnson]

Get an external antenna, we have one on a 25ft powerboat and it the receiver built in cant maintain a fix unless you are stationary. We have been told by local suppliers that the buit in receivers and just useless.

[nigel52]

Originally Posted by ring20johnson

Get an external antenna, we have one on a 25ft powerboat and it the receiver built in cant maintain a fix unless you are stationary. We have been told by local suppliers that the buit in receivers and just useless.

I think you must be correct about the built in aerial. A shame as I would have expected a built in one to be adequate. I know the Garman one works well on inbuilt aerial.

I will see about buying one - thank you for all replies.

[nigel52]

Thanks I do have a GArman 12 but I am convinced the problem is the internal aerial is inadequate.

[9D280]

Even better test - hook up the Garmin as a feed, leave it beside the Lowrance, & see what happens!

Remember with a Garmin 12 the tech inside the box is rapidly approaching it's 25th birthday, so will make an interesting comparison!


Also FWIW I had planned to get one with an internal antenna to reduce the wiring & A- frame clutter. Ended up with an external one, and as I then had an NMEA cable heading for the transom I thought it might as well multitask and I now have coolant pressure & cyl head temp on screen!

[ashbypower]

Intresting, we have had two HDS10's both console mounted, using the internal Antenna they have never lost lock, always have a rock solid signal.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Intresting, we have had two HDS10's both console mounted, using the internal Antenna they have never lost lock, always have a rock solid signal.

Ditto with my gen2 HDS7.

[Jeff]

Same for my HDS5 - THOUGH, I did have an issue from new in that the satellite acquisition was very very slow and poor on start up and it didnt seem to remember its last location - almanic issue
I spoke at length to Lowrance and tried various resets etc - and they then replaced with new. This is in console mounted using only the internal antenna and I have no lock or stability issues
Actually sent me an advance swap and no issues at all since. It is still not as quite to lock onto the satellites as my trusty Garmin292 though >>>> but better mapping and far superior sonar performance
I would call them
Jeff