I've been looking at the HDS-8, maybe I need to look elsewhere? There is nothing that erks me worse than bad customer service, especially when you pay two grand for something. Even under normal dealer warranty, if in the first year you have a problem, do you still have to send the unit to Navico? If so, that's carp!

Hey guys, I have to agree. I just bought a used 1197 SI. Called Bird cause the buttons were sticking and they said send it in. They charged me a flat fee(which was a little higher than I expected)$339, but said that I would basically have a new unit when I got it back. I shipped Monday this week, they recieved Wednesday and sent me an email Friday telling me that had already repaired and it was on its way back. I couldn't believe how responsive and easy to work with. I have always had Lowrance in the past, but Bird is winning me over.

Yea but 0 x 100 still equals zero!

Go check out bassboatcentral. Lowrance's reputation has been taking a beating for some time now. My future units will be birds!!

dskelly7,
Not sure if your problem resolved but it could be your LSS accessory wire is plugged into your key switch. I did that so when I turn the key off my unit is off so I don't run the battery down. It gives me the same message when I turn my motor off, then I turn the key on and it goes away.

I sent a unit back to lowrance a year or so ago and got it back almost 4 months later. They don't work on them anymore and they moved all of their production to mexico. So everything takes forever. Then they act irritated when u call. It really ticks me off! I guess im just retarded. I justbought hds8 with sscan last month. Hope it keeps workin! I bet one of the pros can get a new one overnight.

horseplay, thanks for the tip but the LSS was not wired directly to my key switch. I must say that the tech's at Bass Pro in Bossier City LA went beyond the call of duty to resolve this problem for me. First, they did a great job on the initial install. When one of the Navico tech's said it sounded like a connection and/or battery issue I went back to BPS and those guys checked all wiring, batteries, every single connection....everything...then took a HDS from the store and plugged it up and the LSS worked perfectly. One of the guys noticed bubbles around the edge of the screen and said they thought the unit was bad. Then I contacted Navico and got an authorization to return the unit. And BPS never charged me a dime for all the time they spent trouble shooting everything.

Jason, I see you are a Lowrance Pro Staffer and perhaps you can defend Navico because you have seen improvements. I was just stating my experince to the gentleman that started the thread, didn't want to hijack this thing. I didn't even get in all the detail through out this whole thing, being told I would be called back when a HDS is available to ship and never receiving any such contact from Lowrance. I've managed large corporate customer service operations in my career and if what I experienced was an improvement Navico will have a long road to hoe. And I have been a Lowrance user for a very long time, all the way back to the paper graphs and have always favored Lowrance over other brands. I haven't had my new HDS out yet that they shipped to me but hopefully I can finally put this to bed.

Did you buy them at Pro bass shop ?

No, I did not purchase the HDS and LSS at Bass Pro. I simply had them do the install which is why how much they did to help me is so impressive.

I bought mine from Cabela's over the internet. Also to update this thread I have sent Jason the return number and more information via pm. I also filled out a customer service survey from my e-mail. I got a return e-mail asking more questions about my dissatisfaction. I returned that and now am waiting.

I don't want to turn this into a bash lowrance, or bird vs lowrance thread, I just wanted to vent my frustration. I love the unit I have that is working and am amazed at what I can find with it. I keep having to idle with the unit at the console and then unplug it and move it to the bow to fish. When I want to move, then I repeat the process.

Footballfisherman, I agree I did not want to turn this into a bash Lowrance thread but was just sharing a similar experience I had in the turn around of my replacement with Navico. Like you I filled out the customer satisfaction survey and got an email back with more questions but the questions were not so much about my problems but who at their company told me that there had been a known issue with some of the units built in Mexico and they were replacing some with problems. That comment in my orginal contact with them must have made someone mad. This guy from their Resolution Team seemed like he was on a witch hunt to uncover who would tell me such things rather than resolve my problems. Hopefully Jason can move the process along for you and get you back to fishing with great electronics.

dskelly, thanks for sharing your experience as well. Maybe someone in management will get the hint and start taking care of loyal customers. I have always used lowrance and plan on still using them. The stuff I have found is amazing and has helped my fishing tremendously. Just a major inconvenience after spending so much money.

These threads exist all the time on the boards. I guess I'm amazed that a company can sit back and take a licking like this publicly and not fix it. I've used Lowrance products for ever and have had no real issues. I just installed a HDS5 on the bow and won't get to use it for another 3+ weeks. My hope is to not need CS from Lowrance.

Lowrance must see these threads - since they are all over the place. BBC seems to have one every few days. Is it Lowrance's goal to give HB 90% of the market share?

rudapa,

not changing the thread, but where in Nebraska are you at. I went to school at Chadron state and have family and friends all over Nebraska.