Just bought a new rig and it came factory with a Lowrance X 135 on the console and I want a GPS as well something for the front of the boat. I am leaning towards..

Console-Lowrance 5300 C GPS with internal puck

Up front- Lowrance 520 C combo GPS/Sonar


Have you guys had good luck with these and what are your thoughts?? I wanted to use the same brand as I have had good luck with lowrance and also I can swap around any software chips I purchase between units if need be.

Linda Colt

Customer Service Department
12000 East Skelly Drive
Tulsa, Ok 74128
1-800-324-1356 #8747
Direct line 918-438-8747
Fax 918-234-1745 Email: linda.colt@navico.com

She will make things right!!!!!!!!!!! She is the best representative of Customer Service I have ever ran into with ANY company.

She is the best one to contact about keeping it alive and get any help within 24 hours!

I am running a 522 on the bow and a 27C on the rear (tiller boat) with GPS on both units and have had very good experience with them. I have the two networked so can view either unit's sonar image on the other unit.

The GPS on the front comes in handy when trying to stay on mid lake humps.

Paul

Kino you should look at the LMS520 combo sets like Cabelas sells.

For about the same price you could get two 520s with one GPS puck supporting both units and add a bow transducer on the TM and install the transducer that comes with it on the transom. This comes with the stuff to install it and network the two units for $1133 and you would spend $1148 for the 5300 and 520 combination.

PRD1,

Are you actually able to see either sonar images on either unit? I was told all you could do was share way points. I have LCX 27's on the front and back of my boat and it would be great to be able to see the other units sonar image.

Could you tell me more about how to do it?

Thanks!

You sure can.

With both units powered on there is a menu selection at the bottom of the sonar menu screen to select sonar source. It will be either local (the transducer connected to this unit) or list your other X-27 as a sonar source. If you select it you will see the other units sonar image.

Prior to the X-27/522 combo I had an X-18/522 and like to have the front unit useable even when not running the trolling motor so I had installed a switch so I could use either the univer sonar in the MinnKota or another transom transducer I had installed. I know they say the interference is a problem but it really isn't for me even in deeper water.

So now I can use any of three transducers (one on the X-27 and either one of those on the 522) and be able to see that image on both units. It works slick. All you need is the ethernet cable to the orange connector of both units.

Paul

PRD1,

Thanks for the info!

I will give it a try!

PRD1,

Went and looked at my LCX27 on the back of my boat and could not find and option to select sonar source. All I could find is Sonar Features and Sonar Setup. Also, went into both these options and still could not spot any option to select sonar source.

Maybe the LCX 27's do not have this option?

Thanks!

I have a 27 and it does have the option. It is only present if BOTH units are powered up and the ethernet cable is installed. I do have level 2.3 code in the unit and will check if that is where it was enabled. On both of my units it comes up on the first sonar menu screen (one with sensitivity at top) and it is the last item on the list. I looked at Lowrance and it was implemented sometime before 2.3 but I don't know just where.

Paul

U have to have ethernet cable between the 2 also it will turn that 5300 into a graph saves a few bucks that way

SONAR SOURCE will not show up on your menu till you connect the ethernet cable between units.

Hey guys, finally found it. Must be my old eyes.

One more question, is there any way to have both transducers registering on a split screen? So when I am in the front of the boat I can see a sonar chart for both transducers... one in the back and one up front?

Thanks for the help!

Not that I know of, it is an either-or situation

Not that I know of, it is an either-or situation


Your correct PRD1, I've questioned Lowrance specifically with that question and as you say, it's an either-or setup.