most all the issues I have ever come across deal directly with not having the current software installed. If you are having any sort of problem, make sure you have the current updated software running in your unit. you can check it here --->>>> http://www.lowrance.com/Downloads/Product-Software-Updates/

Lowrance is a wonderful product! Thier sonar has always been top of the line.

also- the general consensus with regards to GPS antenna installation is to maintain a minimum of 3' distance between itself, and the head unit to alleviate any interference problems.

this coming from a self proclaimed humminbird used

just got my second 'bird today for the front... hehe.. Inow have a 957c up front for running a Navionics Platinum chip in and the 987si on the bow. Lowrance is ok, but i PREFER humminbird

You dont realize how many lowrance questions I get asked... I am happy to answer them, and most are resolved by a simple software update..

why does my internal antenna work, if you need 3 ft....
just something I've always wondered.,.

Who did you ask

Sorry about previous post (too much coffie), hit the wrong button.

Your right there SkeeterRonnie. But they also need to understand when you load the current software, you have to go back and reset all you personal settings. The reload to current software sets the unit all back to factory/Lowrance defaults.

You might want to take notes on what you have set (personal setting, Overlay Data, Surface Cultter, etc.... So you can set you unit back easily. Also your Waypoint, Trails and Routes do not get deleted with the Software reload (but I suggest, back them up anyway).

Depending on your s/w version, you may have an option to save your overlay data. It's on the System Setup --> Transfer My Data page. If your current s/w supports it, you will see an overlay tab.

Ok so on the side imaging... When you put it up front and mount it to a spinning trolling motor how do you know what is left or right?

the side imaging transducer would be fixed the the trolling motor - so whatever way it is points- would be left and right... and the images would be skewed EVERYTIME you move the motor left or right. better to keep the transducer in the back, so it doesnt rotate and stretch/compress the images you are seeing.

May be a dumb question but how do you down load the updated software to your unit. I have a Lowrance 334cigps. It came with the boat I bought with no instructions, no hardware. I had to get the instructions off of the Lowrance website. I'm guessing I need a adapter cable to go to my computer. If so where can I find one.

Lowrance units load the software (once on the SD card) automatcally. Go the Lowrance site and follow the instructions. Link provided on first message in this post (I think).

Most computers have a card slots for memeory card (Compact disk, SD or MMC cards) or your printer will have them. Most have then already for digitial photography purposes. SD card is what your Lowrance unit uses.

Can't wait to get mine.

This is a good stream of info going. How about one more?
I finally ran a couple of charts to a blank card. How can I read them on a computer?
OK, Nevermind, found it on the Lowrance Web:
SonarViewer122logs.exe
It helps to go look before asking. COOL! Works great.
Later dudes.

You can look at the charts on Lowrances Log Viewer. Download here:

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Sonar-Log-Viewer-SLV/

You can also look at them with one of the emulators, but it takes much longer. It is close to real time.

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Product-Emulators/

Thanks Jjen!
Now I can share sonar like the pros! Way cool.
It even remembers the gps coords. I don't mind sharing this one, it's Grapevine-nothing to hide there. Shad and sandies galore.

BigMack,

Please let me know exactly how you saved it and stored it and viewed it on your PC. I am new to this and would like to learn as much as I can.

Thanks in advance,

How do you pull info off a SD card placed in your printer?

ewww. you may need to go to START, MY COMPUTER, and open the drive the SD card is located in. then save to a file on your desktop.

Already tried all the usuals. I think I will just buy a card reader and consider myself lucky!!!! They're pretty cheap.:)

Here's another trick I just figured out.
You can convert your coords to decimals here:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html
Then go to Google Maps, type in the decimal coords like this:
32.985472, -97.073528 and hit enter.
It will bring up the area, switch it to satellite and see it from the sky! Way Cool.

The Start + My Computer works. Also, you can hold the windows key (the one with the flag) and then hit the E key. That starts file explorer. From there you can click SD card drive, it will be a "Removable Drive" to see the files on the card, you can drag and drop those files to other directories on your hard drive.

A tool I use to convert my H2O GPS coordinates to Google Earth format is a free tool you can download called GPSBABEL. It will convert between Lowrance and Google Earth and back. I backup my Waypoints on Google Earth, can add new ones I find then reload them in my GPS. Pretty handy, especially since the satellite pictures on Google Earth of my primary lake are when it was very low so I can see something besides just water.

Ronnie, I sent to a PM

I am upgraded the software of a LCX-15mt to the latest software version that I downloaded from Lowrance website.

How long should it take for the software to update?

I followed all directions and it has been over 20 minutes and the unit keeps flashing on and off the word "LOADING"

OK so I am new to these devices as well. So I am sure I would need the helpr from you good guys. They are installing a LMS-520C on my new Kenner 2103. SHould have this all completed next week.

I am sure I will have to do much reading just to figure out how to use it. Will I need extra stuf like the SD cards people talk about? Any other items that will be needed?

Will I need to update the software on this new unit?

Any advice would be a huge help!

Redfish,

I would be glad to help you learn the basics of your unit.

http://www.lowrance.com has helped me get started.

You shouldn't have to convert the coords to decimals in Google Maps or Google Earth. Just leave a space between the numbers.
Example: N 32 59 07.7 W 97 04 24.7

Your unit will also can display coords in decimals if you'd like. In the 'GPS Setup' menu select 'Coordinate System' and then 'Degrees'.

This is also useful when your buddy gives you a spot and you are creating a waypoint from an entered position. You can enter it in either format but you have to change the 'Coordinate System' first.

Tell me again what the advantage is of upgrading my unit from 1.8.0 to the most recent 2.3.0? It seems the Zoom in and Zoom out features take forever to show up now and happen in larger increments than before. Is this the ol' "if it ain't broke fix it anyway" scenario?

I don't like it. How do I change it back to 1.8.0 version or can I?