Lowrance Plotters

Andy Moore · 25 October 2006, 10:59

Has anyone else had problems with Lowrance plotters going wrong?

I am about to get a third LMS-332C. Both the previous units went mad, turning themselves on a beeping, screen flashing manically.

Any feedback appreciated.

richardjawilson · 25 October 2006, 16:34

no problems with the 3600c igps yet, but there map (Nauticpath Europe West) does have a hole it between East Tilbury and Canvey Island, ie there are no nav marks, depths etc

richard

rbw156 · 25 October 2006, 17:15

My EAGLE is just over one year old and going strong.

Andy Moore · 25 October 2006, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardjawilson

no problems with the 3600c igps yet, but there map (Nauticpath Europe West) does have a hole it between East Tilbury and Canvey Island, ie there are no nav marks, depths etc

richard

When its working, its great. But I think it may have a design fault in that it goes wrong if either:

1. An ingress of water:
2. It is sensitive to low battery voltage.

These are merely guesses....

richardjawilson · 25 October 2006, 21:08

Andy, It's quite a strange error, the map is actually missing!!! I understand that 3 other people have the same hole, but it should be rectified on the next release whenever that is, but its still rather baffling!!

richard

danny · 25 October 2006, 22:34

Andy, I've sold lots of 332's and all are still running without any problems what so ever.
Also the 10 inch Lowrances are great machines.

fjarvis · 27 October 2006, 12:22

I have a 332C and currently have a problem with it, if the boat power is on, but the plotter is off (e.g. moored for a while whilst i go for a pint), I come back, press power and it can't communicate with the GPS. I unplug and reattach the GPS unit at the cable connection at the GPS and then it's fine. If I go into the NMEA2K status menu the GPS is missing, but the fuel flow meter is working fine, so it's not an issue with the bus.

There was also a strange transparent grey shadow in the middle of the screen the other day - not sure what that is, but it's not a mark on the surface of the screen. I always remove the plotter and keep it in my house, so it's unlikely to be moisture ingress.

Texel Tom · 27 October 2006, 17:59

I know what this is.

You need to update the software in you LGC2000 GPS antenna. This is available free via the Lowrance website although you will need an MMC/SD card reader.

The update which was released in September gives you better radar protection and 'enhanced NMEA2000 support'.

That's your issue ,the antenna which is a NMEA2000 device keeps dropping off the network and needs to be re-booted. This only happens when you add another NMEA2K device as you have with the EP-10.

This will fix it.

I would be pleased to help further if required.

TT.

Andy Moore · 27 October 2006, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texel Tom

I know what this is.

You need to update the software in you LGC2000 GPS antenna. This is available free via the Lowrance website although you will need an MMC/SD card reader.

The update which was released in September gives you better radar protection and 'enhanced NMEA2000 support'.

That's your issue ,the antenna which is a NMEA2000 device keeps dropping off the network and needs to be re-booted. This only happens when you add another NMEA2K device as you have with the EP-10.

This will fix it.

I would be pleased to help further if required.

TT.

Do you think it would fix my problem?

Texel Tom · 27 October 2006, 21:57

No I don't think so.

It sounds like you have had key pad shorting issues.

Are these warranty raplacements from the UK distributor (Silva)?

TT

Andy Moore · 28 October 2006, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texel Tom

No I don't think so.

It sounds like you have had key pad shorting issues.

Are these warranty raplacements from the UK distributor (Silva)?

TT

The unit that has just gone wrong was a replacement unit. I assume my dealer got it from Lowrance. Are Silva the distributor?

Ian M · 28 October 2006, 20:14

For what it is worth, I have had a 332C for the last two seasons and it has behaved faultlessly. Just hope that it carries on that way

fjarvis · 30 October 2006, 11:41

Hi,
Thanks for that I'll give it a go - I applied the available updates when I got it (to the GPS and the Plotter, but that was back in Feb) I hadn't realised that there were new updates for the GPS.

Cheers,
Fraser

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texel Tom

I know what this is.

You need to update the software in you LGC2000 GPS antenna. This is available free via the Lowrance website although you will need an MMC/SD card reader.

The update which was released in September gives you better radar protection and 'enhanced NMEA2000 support'.

That's your issue ,the antenna which is a NMEA2000 device keeps dropping off the network and needs to be re-booted. This only happens when you add another NMEA2K device as you have with the EP-10.

This will fix it.

I would be pleased to help further if required.

TT.

Stoo · 22 November 2006, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjarvis

There was also a strange transparent grey shadow in the middle of the screen the other day - not sure what that is, but it's not a mark on the surface of the screen. I always remove the plotter and keep it in my house, so it's unlikely to be moisture ingress.

My old Lowrance GlobalMap developed a "fogging" over time. The Canadian service depot explained that it was caused by exposure to acid rain! It took about 3 years to get to the point of rendering the screen unreadable. Each time, Lowrance replaced the unit under their extended warranty.

I don't know if this is the same or not... do you have acid rain over there?

Lowrance tells me that they have changed the formulation of their lens material and it shouldn't be a problem in the future. I hope that this is true as I have replaced the old unit with a LCX-25C.