I need alittle help. I have a HDS 7 and power pins on back of unit got damaged. (Long Story) Is there any way to replace this power outlet from inside the unit. Just a thought, hate to throw away unit because of broken power pin!!!!! Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

Thx...

Why would you throw it away ??? Have it fixed. even if you have to send it off to Lowrance.

I was told to send a HDS back to Lowrance thats out of warrenty is $615. This seems crazy to me....
All the unit needs is new power port coming out from back of unit if possible. Pins were broken...

Email Medic--the Lowrance Guru

Lowrance has a flat rate replacement charge on the unit and you would receive a newly manufactured replacement unit that would include a 6 month warranty on it.

I didn't know that Jason. I wondered why their repair costs seemed so high. Getting an extra 6-month warranty with a new unit isn't an awful deal.

So I have another question: what about any waypoints/routes/trails/screenshots/etc. that he had stored on there?

I'm only asking for future reference in case I ever have to send my HDS-5 in.

You just need back up wpts and trails etc...every other time you go out or when you add a lot wpts etc.

Thanks Jason, not the answer I was hoping for, but it is what it is. I should have been backing them up more often anyway. I backup my home computer pretty often so this really shouldn't be any different.

rmartin, you ever figure out a way to fix the power connector pins? I'd hate to think a small mistake like that would cost you $600. I'd think about pulling out the soldering gun to try and jerry-rig something before sending it in and spending that much.

No not yet, still thinking. While i do appreciate Lowrances offer to replace unit for $615 dollars i still wish i could fix mine. To me its the fact a $15 power port and an hour worth of labor from a service tech shouldnt cost $615. When a car needs new brakes you dont trade it in and buy a new one: you simply fix whats broken.

This is not a bash Lowrance issue, i have used Lowrance my whole life, in every boat ive owned. Currently my HDS 7 is networked with a LCX 111 so fixing or replacing the unit is my only option.

I am still trying to figure out how to have mine fixed.

Thx.....

where do you live? Reason I'm asking there are 2 places here in Fort Worth that might be able to repair it. Just a thought.
Tom H

Honestly, if if you can find someone who has the pin insertion/extraction tools, and access to replacement pins (plenty of suppliers locally and online), this is probably a $10 or so parts fix.
Steps are pretty simple so long as it's not a "molded-in" pin connector (in which case it's the same steps, but have to source a compatible connector assembly instead of just pins), disassemble/open casing, document and desolder pin connections from the cable/board that they are on, remove parts of broken pins, insert new pins, resolder all connections and reassemble.
Of course it sounds simple enough in "print", there is probably waterproof gasketing materials, double-stuck taped parts, etc, but realistically the only hard part is actually having the tools/pins (probably AMP parts), which I personally don't have (smallest I have are MOLEX .062" and I'm pretty sure those power pins are about half that size).
Needless to say either way it'll void any remaining warranty, but considering the options, not sure that matters!

I agree, im just about to the piont of opeaning unit up and trying to fix/resauder pins myself. I just dont want to cross that bridge yet just in case i do have to send unit back and get another one.

I just hate spending $615 dollars when i know its probally fixable.

I appreciate everbodys help.

Thx....

Similar question: I have an HDS 9 on the front of my boat and some of the metal pins in one of the blue plugs (not the unit) broke off. Is this as easy as getting a new plug end put on or is there more involved?

The cable which has a blue connector and male pins is the transducer cable. Below is the pinout for standard 2D transducer cable. If it is the temperature pins which are broke, then you may just be able to live without them. Otherwise the best option is to replace the transducer.