Lowrance owners sound off!

[Thembonez]

Lowrance owners this is your chance to speak your mind. Share your thoughts and opinions on the company, products, and support. I would like to see real feedback here. This is not a chance to wave your banner for other companies. Also keep it clean and as proffesional as can be. The goal here is to get all the lowrance owners thoughts on the current state of the company so I can email this link to the right people over there. Change starts with us people! Let's keep it to the point and do our part!!!

[went522]

I'm torn!!!

I've had great luck with my Lowrance products, my X15, X51 and H20C have been great units. The new HDS/LSS-1 units are impressive, amazing clarity and definition. I really want one. I believe they make some of the finest fishing electronics in the world.

But, the whole lawsuit/patent issues worry me. Now, what happens if I spend 1600 and they no longer support the LSS-1 if I had a issue? I'm out $600 and bought the HDS unit with the intent to use the technology. The fact they are no longer supporting so many units that are still widely used is BS. Lots of Lowrance faithful that dropped a good chunk of change on units that lowrance won't touch.

The customer service, we all now how that is. My last phone call took almost an hour, most of that was on hold and when I did finally get to talk to someone...she wasn't happy to be doing her job, the tone in her voice made it clear. Just didn't sound happy, in fact she sounded like she had a chip on her shoulder. It wasn't me making her unhappy. I was...please, thank you and have a good day....my take, when dealing with CS is kindness will get you what's deserved, at times more than you deserve.

Even with the above negatives...I'm still enamored with the LSS-1 technology and do want one. I need a new graph...is this it??

I'm torn! I've had such good luck with their electronics...but will they support my expensive purchase? And, can they pull their heads out of their rear ends when it comes to CS?

BIRDDOG

[flipp19585901]

I have a 334cigps ,not one problem ,it works great and those new ones are great but it's like a tv to me ,if it still works why replace,and ill get some yrs out of what ive spent. I would buy again .cant say anything bad at all ,:rockit:

[Richard B]

Have a 6 year old x 18 that had to be replaced while I was in Canada 5 1/2 years ago, no problems since. The service center in Sudbury Ontario was outstanding to deal with. Have an Eagle 480 that has burned through 2 transducers.

[stevehughes]

I have been a lowrance user since the 350 days. Yes have had some problems with the differant units but I have been taken care of ( i feel ) very well.

Right now I have a LCX 110, LCX 37,and HDS 8 no problems with them, just order the LSS-1 and can't wait to get it installed.

The only thing that ticked me off is the rebates for the HDS 8 with another purchase . I bought my HD in august and it is not valid for any of the other rebates offer.

Steve

[yanish]

I Have HDS-5, 7, and 8 on my boat. Love the Hds system. Can't wait for the LSS-1 I have on order. I had a X-18, x-15, and x-102 on my last boat. Lowrance took care of my issue with the X-102. I will stay with Lowrance even through the law suit. I Believe in their product and all businesses has some issues with Customer Service and I believe they will fix it.

[RLS]

I have owned and operated Lowrance products for the last 15 years. Out of those 11 yrs have been tournament fishing. I currently own a lcx-25, lcx-27, and a lms-520. All the years I have operated Lowrance, I have had no problems. Basiclly, the reasons I got rid of units was to upgrade or let them go when selling my first boat. I have owned and operated lowrance only, so can't compare to other brands. I have no reason to change what I'm using. Overall quality excellent. However, if I was to ever change brands it would probably be due to poor customer service.

[perchjerker]

I have a 28c hd, works perfect

Before that I had a X-15, worked perfect

Before that I had a 350a, worked perfect

also had a Ifinder, worked perfect until it got stolen. Hope that died LOL

I also had a Humminbird 997c si, that worked perfect too

[stinkycat]

I've been using Lowrance since the days of the Green Box and never had issues until I purchased 2 LCX 27's in 2008 and they were terrible. Fortunately I was able to up-grade to HDS7's in 2009. I had one screen leak and my retailer took very good care of me. The HDS7's are performing well. The law suite does not bother me at this time but the Customer Service scares the *ell out of me. When we invest these kind of $ and receive not only poor but horrible customer service it makes you think of their competitors real fast. So far the HDS units are great and my retailer is great. I hope I never have to deal with Lowrance CS again or until they get their head out of their rear end, as someone already posted above.

[K Gonefishin]

I'm happy with them, I currently have a 38HD, 4000M and X135 on my current boat, all units work great, no problems with them, My last boat had 4000M (I took it with me and this unit is from 02) and 2 X-18's one on the dash and one for the bow, all worked great. Also had a 5 inch Global Map GPS only worked great. I had a issue with GPS locking on and staying put on my 38HD but it was a power issue, it no longer does it and works great like it's suppose to, Linda helped me out there with some info.

My next unit after one of these fail Iif and when they do... don't know to be completely honost.

[yarcraft91]

Several positive reviews, so far. I would have written a similar positive review before I bought my 334c iGPS. The history since then:
- 334c had by far the poorest GPS satellite reception of any of my 6 GPS receivers. Eventually, I connected my Garmin handheld GPS to the 334c via NMEA 0183, so I could have reliable, accurate position fixes displayed on the 334c digital maps. I published the method to do that on this forum.
- Moved the 334c from my Great Lakes boat to a smaller boat I use on inland lakes.
- Bought an LCX27c for the Great Lakes boat in order to have an external GPS antenna.
- Found the $550 334c could not see bottom in shallow (<13'), weedy water. The $200 Eagle 320 Seafinder DF in the bow had no such problem using the same style 200 KHz Skimmer transducer. Software updates or rollbacks made no difference.
- Transducer on the 334c failed, as in, couldn't see bottom in 30' of water.
- Called Lowrance Customer Support to talk about the 334c problems, waited 1 hour on hold, then gave up.
- Found Linda Colt's contact information here, contacted her, very fast response. Linda sent a new transducer.
- New transducer worked great for about 1 week, then failed, as in, sometimes it would see bottom, sometimes not. Gave up on Lowrance transducers.
- I bought an Airmar P66 transducer, which is still working fine.
- Called Lowrance Customer Support to talk about the GPS antenna and shallow/weedy problems, waited 45 minuters on hold, then reached a young man whose only answer was "send it in and we'll look at it". What will that cost me? "send it in and we'll look at it".
- Talked to Linda about the same problems. She advised the newer LMS-520 series had an improved antenna and would get a software update to solve the shallow/weedy problem, the 334c software would not be updated. She offered to swap a refurbished 527c for my 334c. I agreed.
- The 527c arrives promptly, starts up OK, GPS antenna performance is much better, but the DOWN part of the UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT switch doesn't work. Try using your sonar/GPS without the DOWN switch!
- Contacted Linda, who promptly sends me a second refurbished 527c. The screen on this unit was broken- a crack right in the middle running from top to bottom.
- Contacted Linda, who promptly sent me a third 527c, which she personally inspected and tested before she had it shipped. This unit arrives OK, good GPS performance, software update fixed the shallow/weedy problem. I'm still using this 527c.
- I bought Dr Depth software so I could use the 527c and 27c to create my own lake contour maps. Discovered that the 27c would not load Lakemaster maps if I put a blank SD chip in the other side of the chip tray, which seriously limited my mapping operation.
- Called Lowrance Customer Support, waited 1 hour, gave up, called again the next day, waited 40 minutes and reached a young man whose answer was "send the chip and 27c in and we'll look at them". What will that cost me? "send it in and we'll look at it", but advised my Lakemaster chip was out of warranty, so if that was the problem...
- I read some posts on Lowrance losing customers' units sent in for repair, had just seen first-hand what happens to refurbished units at Lowrance and decide that my 27c isn't going to face those risks, as it works perfectly otherwise.
- I looked at the Lakemaster chip, found it was one of the original ones produced and sold by LEI (Lowrance Extras Inc) and the chip was a non-standard memory chip, neither MMC or SD (I posted a picture of this non-standard chip in another thread on this forum).
- Called Lakemaster, where Steve advised me that Lakemaster had taken over production of map chips for Lowrance and was well-aware that the original Lowrance chips had problems like mine. Lakemaster uses standard SD chips. I visit a local merchant (who also knew about the LEI chip problem), where we put a new Lakemaster-made chip in the 27c and- problem solved! I bought a new Lakemaster-made map on a real SD chip.

So, I found one (and only one so far) Customer Service person at Lowrance who was both responsive and knowledgeable about their products (and now she's gone), unacceptably long waits on the phone, other CS people who either knew nothing about the same products or chose not to reveal what they knew. I found terrible quality control in the refurbished units sent to me (only 1 out of 3 arrived in complete working order). I found Lowrance used a non-standard electronic component to produce a map chip that would not work correctly in their own products. I wondered "What happened to the company that used to keep me happy with their products and customer support?"

I currently have a Lakemaster chip, 527c and 27c, all of which work well, but why did it take so much effort to get there? I do not currently trust their repair service to receive and return my unit in working order, because I've seen the poor quality control in their refurbished units. So, when I go sonar shopping again, I'll keep this in mind and watch for signs of improvements (or lack thereof) at Lowrance before I buy again.

[AllenW]

Currently I have 2 LCX27C's and a 510C, so far good luck with them, but they don't have a lot of hours on them, seem to work just fine once the shallow water thing was figured out and main complaint I have is removing the cables from the units, seems plastic on plastic wants to stick after being on all day.

Will I buy a Lowrance again?

Doubtful, next upgrade will probably set me back $3000 for two GPS/Locator's and one Locater, and customer service will be near the top on requirements needed for this purchase.

Units this expensive are to costly for me to just replace, they will need to be repaired and I have doubts on Lowrance's ability to do this in a professional and timely manner.

Al

[mr ducks]

Rigging new boat with 2 HDS-10's both with the new LSS-1. Owned many units over the years --still have my original green box. Overall performance has been excellent. Some issues, sure, but what don't you buy that you have issues with from time to time!
Have owned "Birds" as well and they were great units as well!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think!

[geareng]

I started using Lowrance products in 1989 with my purchase of 2330c flasher. I used that unit until 2006 when I bought a new boat, even at that point I ended up buying it back from the individual that purchased my boat because he couldn't figure out how to use it. I still use that unit for when I occasionally ice fish. Since 2006 I have ugraded a few times as newer units and technology have come out with units such as the 26c and 38c HD (which I feel is one of the best units they have ever made). I currently have a HDS 8, a 520c and am in the process of installing my new LLS-1. Have I had minor issues over the years? Yes, but Lowrance has always stood by there products with me. The initial release of the HDS units was probably premature and rushed, but the latest software update is very good and they addressed all of the issues I ever ran into with the unit. My only negative would be that they changed mapping suppliers and the new maps on the most recent HDS they are selling have just sonar depth readings and not contour lines. The last I talked to Lowrance, they said that there will be an update to fix this issue in the near future. I will continue to buy Lowrance products because as far as I am concerned, there base products are still the most technically advanced products that are available to your everyday angler.

Customer support has been fine when I have called, sometimes I have waited up to an hour, but other times I got right through also. I think alot of it has to do with the time of year one calls as well as the time of day.

[csuram99]

In the early 2000's i started with x65 and x85, then went to lcx-15mt and x135, and now i have 332c and 522c. I've had problems over the years (more so about 5 years ago) but always had great experience with lowrance (maybe it was linda). I haven't had any problems of late and have no complaits. It seems like all of my fishing buddies use lowrance as well and seem happy. This year i'm spending my money on a terrova/ipilot. Next year i'll be looking into a new hd unit with sidescan. Hopefully the hummingbird/lowrance patent issue and lowrances problems will be sorted by then.

[crappieman]

Been using Lowrance for over forty years, no need to change now. Whatever minor issues i've had were quickly taken care of.

[JOHN L. HECKLSMILLER]

I too would compliment the previous "Lowrance" organization on several fronts. I have only been a customer since 2000. My first real major interface with the organization began in 2005 when I purchased an LCX19c, Globalmap4000m & a x67c sonar. I went through (5) LCX19c units in a year & ahalf before I obtained a satisfactory unit! But, in that year & ahalf (2005 to 20006) the Lowrance service & technical staff was always cooperative, responsive & prompt with solving the multiple problems that constituted my experiences with the (4) 19c's prior to resolve. I was so
impressed with "Lowrance", that up until this fall, I have litterly sent over a dozen friends to their products! Yes, in those days there would be some
frustrating waits on the phone to get threw to CS, but when they did become available they made you #1.
I have not required any assistance since 2006, but I have closely watched this forum & paid attention as to what the "Navico" Corp. attitude has been to the inherited customer base, as well as their newly
acquired customers of the past 2 years. And quite frankly am quite upset
with them and what appears to be their "Corporate America/Europe" bottomline dollars only attitude. And from a very selfish point of view, I cannot comprehend why a business appears to be so willing to throw away 40 to 50 years of an acquired customer base, by not standing behind their product or servicing those previous generation units they inherited!! I am now of the opinion that when my existing 19c, 4000m, 27c
& now 520c have a functional operating failure, I need to find the closeset garbage
can to disgard my $3500 to $4000 worth of equipment! That's my input to this whole issue, and can only hope that there will be a change of attitude to come out of these past several months of public exposure to "Navico's" apparent attitude. I want to be able to continue using what I have!!

[Thembonez]

Well since I started this whole thing I might as well chime in on it. I have been a loyal Lowrance customer over the last 7 years. Starting with a small eagle unit to now owning an lms 522c, hds 8, and lss-1. Only problem I've ever had was with the 522c. Even then the issue was minor. To me the buttons seemed a bit unresponsive. So I called and got a hold of Linda Colt. We managed to resolve this issue within minutes and in one week I had sent my unit in (via the pre paid postage she had sent me) and had a new one on my boat. Hands down the "BEST" c.s. I have ever had anywhere PERIOD!!!! That has been the only problem I've had. But it seems to me I hear of a lot of folks who dont get as lucky as I have been. Now with the news of the recent departure of Linda things seem "shakey" on the c.s. front (putting that mildly). Then theirs the quality issues you hear about and now a dark cloud in the form of the side scan technology patents. It just seems this company is in a nose dive, and nobody is pulling up on the stick. I like these products and chose to purchase them over others, but serious issues need to be resolved before I can say I'm totaly committed to the cause!

[buck.eyehunter]

well I have had a bird, bottom line and lowrance. The bird was ok but, behind the times in my opinion but then again this was in 1999. That is not the case anymore.
So the next unit was a bottom line sidefinder which would not see the bottom ever. I had no luck with c.s. at bottomline. Cabelas was nice enough to exchange for a lowrance 15mt never had a issue with that unit and since then I have had five lowrance units and had no troubles.

Now I was planning on buying a hds 10 with structure scan but to be honest I am a little concerned.... I really hope the get there act together this is not a very good economy to be screwing up in. mike

[yaggie1956]

I have had lowernce units for years. Presently still use a 332c. I have never had to contact the company for any problems. Now I have just purchased a new boat which was prerigged with a HB. Since it already has a HB I ordered it with an additional side scan unit. If the original HB unit would not have been already in the boat I would of went with Lorwence.

[Skunkedagainunlogged]

There was a poll on here last year about the number of people having issues with new Lowrance units. I don't remember the exact number, but it was over 70%. That's absolutely horrible quality control. 7% would be bad, but 70%. If the factory I work in turned out a 70% defect rate, we would be out of business rather quickly. What really makes this bad, is that these units are VERY expensive. Why anyone would want to risk a thousand dollars or more with this company right now is beyond me. If you have bought good units from this company in the last 3-4 years, consider yourself lucky. The last three that I bought from them all had to be returned for repair. Which took them 8 weeks to get them back to me. One of the units never did get fixed and eventually found its way into my trash can. I can't say that I will never own another Lowrance product, but there will have to be some extreme changes at this company before I will.

[whofan]

Many people were sticking with Lowrance just because Linda Colt took good care of them.

Now shes gone.

I never understood the logic in staying with a brand relieing on one person to take care or you?

Lowrance has very nice hardware probably the best. Shame they can`t get the quality and service right.

[SAMSAMSAM]

No problems with my HDS 7, and I got it last march. I have had a 520 for 3 years that has worked well and an Eagle 480 that has been running for about 5 years. No problems with any of the units.

I am not sure I get all the vile toward lowrance. There is no way 70% of units fail or have probelms. Also, the guys who really make me laugh are the ones who get cheap units on closeout (knowing the product is being discontinued) and then complain 2 years later (after the unit is out of warranty) when they can't get parts or worse they often want a free unit. Heck, I have a whole basement full of electronics ... Humminbird, Eagle, Lowrance and BottomLine units from 5+ years ago that not only look like ancient compared to my HDS but I doubt any could be repaired if they failed (and several of them have).

[SAMSAMSAM]

One thing I forgot to add ... Lowrance is clearly to blame for some of their own problems, to wit:

1. The 500 Series was plagued with shallow water software problems that took too long to solve.
2. The first HDS 7 units leaked. Try marketing a cheaply made Mexican products in the USA.
3. There has been a massive campaign on prominent boards to prop up HB by their pro staffers and the Lowrance guys, for whatever reason, have mostly been silent. You can tell many of the negative reviews are written to attack, not to address REAL problems, but they continue unabated at this point.
4. HB had the side scanning first and there was not much Lowrance could do or say.
5. Insight was a $200 money grab ... it was clear that all it was at first were a few select FHS maps added to the units. Lowrance made it look like you would be getting Platinum detail for every lake in the USA, even though the promo materials never actually said this and with a little digging it became obvious what Insight really was (and what it was not).

Lowrance strikes me as being in the same boat as Toyota. They were #1 for a time and have had a few problems which have been over blown to some extent. But they were handled poorly by the new customer service team. The ball is now in their court to dig themselves out of the mess they have let evolve.

[jmw642]

Have used Lowrance when it was only paper charts. Had great luck with them then. When I updated to the new units in the last 5 yrs have had nothing but trouble. Most of the trouble was with the transducers. And that turned out to be mostly connection problem. Had a very hard time dealing with them. Bought a Humminbird and have had no problems.

[Hombre Robusto]

I've owned countless Lowrance units over the past thirty years. I've never had a single problem with any of them, and most of them have been pounded on Lake Erie day after day. As far as I'm concerned, that's a pretty good track record. I know a guy that had over heating problems on a one year old LCX38HD, and it was promptly replaced with a new unit, no questions asked.

[crappieman]

I don't remember the number of responses to the poll previously mentioned, but I seriously doubt it was a good cross section of the number of units sold, and a good cross section of the country. If 50 people replied to it and only 70 percent were bad then only 35 people were dissatisfied. Those type of numbers could be spun anyway you want. We could look at it that 10000??? units were sold across the country and only 35 people are unhappy???? Stats can be made to show what we want them to show. Before this thread dies you may find that there are just as many people happy, as the previous poll showed were unhappy, so does that mean it's a wash 50/50?????? Yes, I am a Lowrance fan, No, I pay full retail for my units.

[dw 185]

well i currently own two 38 HDs, one of them has some thing loose inside of it. i can hear it, but i don't want to send it in i may not get back for a long time, i will wait till it quites and buy a new one or send it in. They both work great so far at least the heads, as for transducers i carry 2 extra in the boat all the time as i had alot of problems with transducers. I also own a gps 3600 that has treated me very good, ive used summer and winter with no problems. A few years back i had two x-15's they where nothing but problems, they where in the mail more then they where on my boat. I would think a company this big could have more then one warrenty center, meaning train the dealers and pay them to help fix the problems that come up locally. I also think that linda colt is a huge loss to lowrance, would i buy again, at this point i'm not sure. i know i going to buy a humingbird just to see what there like. Put them side by side for a season. You don't hear alot of bad about them, Now there might not be as many out there, but you sure don't seem to hear alot negitive about them either. I would buy a new lowrance if i new the service was good. Time will Tell

[whofan]

I bought a Lowrance X75 back in 1999.
I ran this graph for 8 years with out a hiccup, awesome graph.
The color units came out I held off until 2007.
For the sake of going to color I replaced my X75 with a X510c.
I had the shallow water issues, even when the graph was not frozen up it didn`t perform anywhere near as good as the x75 did.
I sent this graph in twice for sofware upgrades and replaced the transducer. nothing fixed it.
Lowrance didn`t have a fix they were wasting my time just by throwing upgrades at it.
I could not return this through Lowrance for a refund.
My retailer stepped up to the plate and took care of me even went against their policy of returning electronics.
Thank God. If it wern`t for the good people at Iboats.com I would have been stuck with a $579.00 paper weight. My 5200 globalmap is still going strong. I spend over $1000 on that Lowrance upgrade.
I upgraded to color and bought Lowrance despite reading the negative post on this forum and others based on the great X75 I had. I believe the experiences I read here now.
I can`t afford to eat $600.00 on a piece of junk thats not supported by its manufacturer. My refund should have came from Lowrance if they couldn`t fix it.
I don`t mind having problems in fact I expect to have problems. I expect problems to be taken care of too.
I can buy a $500 television use it everyday and get 10 years out of it maybe 20 years, and almost bet for sure it would be problem free.

[Skunkedagainunlogged]

All I know is, I bought 3 new color units two years ago, and all three were turds. What are the odds of that!!

[freespoolin]

I have used Lowrance/Eagle products since 1985. Started with a 2260 flasher which was still working when I sold it last year.
Have had one of the first LCR's (7200?), a Fishmark 480, now LCX27, Globalmap 4800 and H2O. Knock on wood but I've never had any problems. I update the software version whenever a new version is available.

[1shooter]

No problems with my HDS 7, and I got it last march. I have had a 520 for 3 years that has worked well and an Eagle 480 that has been running for about 5 years. No problems with any of the units.

I am not sure I get all the vile toward lowrance. There is no way 70% of units fail or have probelms. Also, the guys who really make me laugh are the ones who get cheap units on closeout (knowing the product is being discontinued) and then complain 2 years later (after the unit is out of warranty) when they can't get parts or worse they often want a free unit. Heck, I have a whole basement full of electronics ... Humminbird, Eagle, Lowrance and BottomLine units from 5+ years ago that not only look like ancient compared to my HDS but I doubt any could be repaired if they failed (and several of them have).

Here is the link to the poll:

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154446

As far as the people who get deals on the units that are being discontinued if they worked they wouldnt be complaining.

[sandhills]

AllenW,

I just bought a boat that has a 27c installed. You mentioned something about figuring out the shallow water thing...what did you mean by that?

Thanks!

[blueicecpa]

I got into Boating in October 2002 Purchasing Mark Martins 2025 Lund Pro V. I am a CPA and am up to the challenge with computers since 1981.

It had 2 LCX 16c's and a Global Map 3200, I have upgraded with LCX18c, LCX 37c & LCX 113c , I added Humminbird Side imaging 897SI, 997SI & 1197 SI.

Last year and in 2010 I am running LCX 37c & LCX 113c & Humminbird Side imaging 997SI & 1197 SI.

Had a lot of Trouble with GPS pucks and Transducers on Lowrance and HB is now my Better Products. I use Lowrance for Sonar Recordings. HB has a faster computer to get the GPS Digital Maps up.

I did four MWC tournaments and was happy to see the Lowrance Trailer great help for those participants.

I understand GPS and Transducers are better, but did hear about HDS issues ( I don't ever want to be the Alpha when a new product comes out).

I know with HB I get 2 -3 upgrades free every year, they do listen to us users and have a Software engineer that can get them out. We got free Down imaging last month with no part to purchase.

Lowrance seams to have an annual way to roll out them 1 time a year. And time we cam get beta software before it come out.

I don't care these are Good Chevy/Ford/GM/Toyota product fairly priced at $1,000.00, $2,000.00 or $3,000.00 depending on screen size.

Other companies for Larger Vessels do have more expensive products , but these have Fisher people with digital mapping Navionic's and Lakemaster.

Would like to see these product last 7 years, but like computers these detail maps need greater Computing and higher resolution screens.

That HB 1197SI flys with 2 processors.

For now plan to have both company products and see what the Beta HD units look like in 2011 and how Lowrance Parent runs the company in the Future . A European Private Equity Fund that hold ~ 30 companies. If the cost accountants don't understand Quality Control and customer support this will be an easy decision to make in 2010 or 2011.

[Knot Tellin]

I am for the most part happy with the Lowrance units I have, which are a LCX 20C, GLOBALMAPS 5500C, X98DF, AND LMS 480. I used to run my x98 on my old boat and then add a Zercom LCG2000. I will say the Zercom seemed to pick up the fish better than the x98.

My only real complain is that the LMS 480 turns on all by its self and the light will flash on and off. I have been told by other members that have had the same issue that is over $200 to repair. I find this ridiculous for a faulty button. The whole control panel probably cost less than $10 to make. I always figured that a real company made their profit selling a product. Not gouging them to repairing faulty equipment. I guess what I am getting at is that I paid over $450 for it new and I doesn't go far to keep your customers happy by charging them so much for a simple repair.:badidea:

[Cape Cod Basser]

I have owned many Lowrance units over the last 15 years. Almost all of them ended up being returned at some point. I owned two X-85's. They were the most dependable units that I ever owned. Never had a problem with either one. One of them is on a boat that I sold to friend. Its got to be at least ten years old. He loves it, and has never encountered any issues with it.

With that being said, I think I had to return all the other units I owned at some point. The last two I owned were high end expensive units, an X-104C, and an X-26HD. Both had issues with the gps. That brings up another gripe. Even when they worked, Lowrance gps seemed to be very slow to react as the boat changed position. I would regularly lose my signal. I now have a hand-held Ifinder H20. Same thing. I formerly had a Garmin 168 that worked great. I notice that Lowrance has a 16 channel gps for their units. Humminbird offers 50 channel gps. It is supposed to be much faster to respond, and much more accurate in location. I don't see Lowrance offering anything higher than 16 channel gps. For units that are priced well-over 2k that seems rather antiquated. I haven't tried Humminbird gps, but I intend on going with them this season.

I never had any negative experience with Lowrance customer service. My gripe for example is that I laid out a lot of cash for the X-104C, and then a year later I bought the X-26HD. I wanted to network the two units, but found out I couldn't because one was a gray plug, and the other was blue. That doesn't make sense when you're talking about relatively new units. Its not like I was trying to retrofit a ten year old unit. The products change rapidly and they don't either provide adaptations for the older models, or provide some type of trade-in upgrade if you want to switch out. We're not talking about units that sell for a couple of hundred dollars. If you're spending thousands, you should have some assurance the product will be viable and have upgrades to keep up with changes in technology. Now the dilemma is if you drop 3k on a current unit, the company might go bankrupt and you'll be screwed on both warranty and upgrade issues.

Lastly, I would say that I know many guys who own Lowrance products and swear by them. I am always hearing about them returning the units for repairs. I'm sure the Birds have their problems too. I don't know as many guys who own them, but I don't hear much about sending them back. It seems like with Lowrance its a given.

This is just my experience and observation. No bashing intended.

[yarcraft91]

I notice that Lowrance has a 16 channel gps for their units. Humminbird offers 50 channel gps. It is supposed to be much faster to respond, and much more accurate in location. I don't see Lowrance offering anything higher than 16 channel gps. For units that are priced well-over 2k that seems rather antiquated.

On the specific point of the number of GPS channels...

There are officially 32 US GPS satellites in the "GPS constellation" and the majority are below the horizon at any given time, therefore not visible to a ground-based receiver. The most I have ever received is 11 on a 16-channel receiver. I don't understand what value there would be in having more then 16 channels in a boat GPS, unless there is a plan to dramatically grow the number of GPS satellites.
http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/gpscurr.html

For the eggheads among us, the GPS system is an example of the Theory of Relativity put to practical use. Interesting link I found today:
http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast162/Unit5/gps.html

[Spuddy64]

I can blame Lowrance for a good share of my weight problem. Would have caught one **** of alot less fish without having a lowrance. used to have a hummingbird and learned nothing from it, went to a hi-end lowrance and found fish I never knew were there. I will buy another, and it will have structure scan.

[Esoxchaser]

It's really fairly simple. I am not happy with my Lowrances, nor the support I get from them regarding software issues with a GPS that can't tell what time it is.. I will no longer be buying their products. I don't care, obviously, neither do they. End of story.

[Catch'nRelease]

The last two I owned were high end expensive units, an X-104C, and an X-26HD. Both had issues with the gps. That brings up another gripe. Even when they worked, Lowrance gps seemed to be very slow to react as the boat changed position. I would regularly lose my signal. I now have a hand-held Ifinder H20. Same thing.

I have an LCX-37C and this is my main complaint - it was constantly losing its signal, after taking far too much time to lock on. What I learned from a different dealer is that the GPS puck had been installed in a poor location (just in front of the console, where it was getting too much interference). He said it should have been installed as close as possible to the transducer, which for this unit is mounted on the transom. So he did end up moving it back there, and I am hoping this will make things better. The work was done as the boat was being winterized, and I am anxious to try it out as soon as the lakes are clear.

[Thembonez]

If anyone here would like to do their part in sending Lowrance a strong message. Feel free to e-mail a link to this thread to any or all of the following pearsons:

leif.ottosson@navico.com
louis.chemi@navico.com
jeanine.coleman@navico.com

I sent the link back when this thread was just getting off the ground I guess (many thanks to everyone who has contributed). This is the response I was hoping to see. If anyone else knows any other e-mail addresses at navico that might do some good feel free to post them. Once again thanks everyone. Lets make our voices loud cause without us they dont have a job!

[chitterchad]

Since getting back into fishing after a long lay off from a serious auto accident back in 1992 and not fishing till 2003 and then buying a boat in 2005, I’ve owned 4 Lowrance’s, LCX-15MT, LCX-38C,HD, HDS-7 with base map and a H2OC. I also have owned 1 Eagle Fish Mark 480. The 15MT worked great never had any trouble with it, I used it 3 fishing seasons and I fish at least 70 days every year. In January 08 Cabela’s had the 38-C on sale the day my wife and I where there for $1250.00, the wife said go ahead and get it, she didn’t have to say that twice. My son-in-law sold the 15MT on E-Bay for $500.00. The LCX 38C has also been trouble free and I’m very happy with it I do all the up dates when they come out. The H2O I got for Christmas 05 and used it on the bow of the boat with FM-480, it work great but I did notice that it didn’t show speed below 1.20 mph. I’d say about mid summer 06 it stopped locking on satellites, called Lowrance they told me to send it in and they fix it, they sent me a new one with in 3 weeks. That one still works great it would get a lock on satellites even in the woods with heavy canopies, I just sold it to my buddy with Navionics hot maps & a Ram Mount that I had for it. The Fish Mark 480 also worked great for me and I had it 4 years, it was hooked into the Universal Sonar in my Terrova, I thought for the money it a good unit and I sold it last year after buying the HDS-7.
　
Last spring I got a HDS7 for the bow, in April I fished the MWT on the Detroit River, I was down for 10 day so I could do some prefishing and fish with friends. The first 2 days it rained, I fished one day in the rain with my best bud and his son. The next day my buddy and I go out and fishing by Mitzie’s and steel plants, the GPS stops working. So I try turning off and then back on didn't help, the sonar still work fine just no GPS. Lucky I had the hindsight to bring my receipt for it, but forgot the boxes.

So the next morning I drive to Dunn Dee to take it back to Cabela's. I didn’t pulling the power cable and I didn't have the transducer it was back home, the HDS7 sonar is hook through US2 on my Terrova. Go in Cabela's with HDS in hand, go to the return counter and talked to a lady that helped me. She gets here manger and I told him my circumstance about being down fishing the MWT in 2 day, I told him that I didn't have the power cable, transducer or box, I did tell him I would bring the box, power cable and transducer back with in 2 weeks. I left with a new HDS7 and that HDS-7 has worked great I like the menu and the sonar works really good with the US2 and the GPS has been trouble free. Just like the LCX the HDS gets all of it’s up dates when they come out. One think I really don’t like is how after you do a update it changes the way the you had the unit setup. So I didn’t have to deal with Lowrance on the HDS and after reading & hearing all the horror stores I’m glad I didn’t have to. At the MWT Tournament there was a Lowrance Rep and I talked to him told him about it, he said seal issues, he said send it in. I told him I took it back to Cabela’s and they gave me a new one and he said they shouldn’t have, I told him as much money I spend there yes they should‘ve. I've returned other stuff over the years to Cabela’s some of the thing I've returned I had for a year or a little more, I never had trouble returning anything to them, as long as you have receipt.:bowdown:
　
Next time I'm in the market for fishfinder/Gps I'll have a hard time buying one from Lowrance, it just seems that there having to many trouble and not doing much about it. People with Hummin Bird don't seem to have as much prombles and there units look really nice, but I guess they don't have a ajustable ping speed.

[doubleheader]

When you have a problem you shouldn't have to wait more than a few minutes to speak with a qualified Lowrance customer service person. That has not been my experience. I currently am in the process of puchasing a new boat that includes an HDS5 and 7. These will be my 6th and 7th Lowrance products. I probably would not buy these had they not been part of this purchase package. I even got a price to switch them out but it wasn't very cost effective. So somewhat by luck Lowrance is getting another chance by me. Trust me though, if things don't change I will never buy another.

Overall my Lowrance products have been pretty reliable. I've had one replaced, an LMS 300 series last year, and I've had a few lock up from time to time.

[rabbit]

Had a faulty 12 volt adapter plug on my new expedition C and sent it in with a RMA # over 2 weeks ago and have heard absolutely nothing from them so far. Not even a courtesy note with explanation...So I'm stuck cramming batteries in it all the time...I drive out on the ice this time of year and like it plugged into my truck.... I'm not happy.. When my 104C pukes I'm heading to a different brand...Paul Schmidt

[Thembonez]

On the phone the other day with tech support. Asking a networking question. Called at 4:00p.m. and wait time was only 10min.! Sign of change!? Who knows, but this was the quickest I've ever gotten through and the advise was spot on.

[yanish]

Just got off the phone with Lowrance on a rebate letter. Called today at 4pm the wait only took 9 minutes. Got a rebate Letter and away I go.

[Wallgeye]

I am a fairly new boat owner, bought my boat 4 years ago and it was rigged with a LMS 332C and a X67C up front. I really did not have a clue what I was buying at the time. I had zero problems with either unit for the first two years I had the boat.

I jumped when the LCX 113HD came out and bought a LCX-38C to go on the bow along with the 113, I really was excited to have the larger screens. I also bought a HB 1197SI, I really dropped some coin that spring! I could not wait for opener that year, major let down, I had the shallow water problems mentioned earlier in spades. Still feeling like a new boat owner, I wondered how a $2500 sonar could choke on some shallow water and weeds when my 332c that I took off the boat in favor of the larger unit would hum along with nary a hiccup?? I called Lowrance CS and was told that was the first he had heard of any problems in shallow, weedy water. :cookoo: Either I was an early complainer or I he was blowing smoke. I even bought into the stand along Hi-def box that they came out with that year, hoping it would correct my shallow water woes. It did not.

Then the unit started acting up, I was getting no or erratic at best depth readings from the unit, on screen depth would flash and the sonar screen would show nothing until it recieved a ping. Called again, I was told to buy a new 'ducer ($80 or so right?) I did that and no change, called back and agreed to send it in, took about 6 weeks if I recall to get unit replaced. I get to use the boat from May (possibly a bit earlier depending on ice and how cold I want to be) through the end of Oct. or so, I only get to use the unit for about 6 or 7 months of my 12 month warranty anyway so the clock was ticking. I was told the new unit would have a 3 month warranty on it, I would not get a new 1 year warranty. :mad:

So the following year, about halfway though the season, I notice that there is something loose rattling around inside the case. I call and am told it is out of warranty! I give up, and run across a pro angler who's seminars I have attended, he suggests getting ahold of Linda Colt and see what she can do. I give her a call and I get a new unit sent out to me within a couple weeks!!

Lastly, late last season I took the boat out 2 consecutive weekends. My 38C worked fine the first weekend, took it home, garaged the boat, plugged in the charger as I always do and did not look at it again until I went out again the following weekend. I reinstalled the head units out of the padded cases I keep them in, launched the boat and went to turn on the 38 and was greeted with a horrible beeping noise that would not quite, the screen never seemed to turn on, I waited as long as I could and had to resort to killing the master power to get it to turn off again. I waited a couple minutes, and after turning the power back on found the 38C totally dead! A call again to CS resulted in me being charged a couple hundred bucks to send it in out of warranty where it was replaced. This was late last year, I never got the boat out again after that, so my new unit has never even been turned on, I sure hope it works in 6 weeks when opener rolls around! I asked about upgrading to an HDS unit and was declined.

Two units, about $4000 in gear, and both have been returned at least once. I am not a weekly user of the boat either, I think I made it out 5 times, 2 trips were for a week each. These units should still have been brand new they were used so little before failing. Oh, I also replace transducer again and will again this spring as something was not looking right on sonar late in the year.

I understand the need to make a buck, since buying my boat and learning about sonars it has really frustrated me to see Lowrance bring out a new model almost every year, I really feel for the guys that bought the LCX-110 and 109 those were out what one, maybe two seasons before being replaced by the 112 and 113, that was the year Low added the network box that allowed sonar viewing on multiple displays, the 110 and 109's did not have the required connector on the back though. The software fix for the shallow water stayed in beta form online for a really long time before a software patch was released "officially", I really think there have only been 2 patches since I bought the things.

What issues did I have with the Humminbird that was installed at the same time as the Lowrance units? None what so ever.

The boxes on our boats we call sonar head units are really just mini computers in a water proof case (hopefully), with a ultra bright display screen. I can go to best buy and purchase a 42'+ television for under $1000, or a 24'+ computer monitor for under $300, I can purchase a "netbook" for under $400 with a 10 inch screen, just like my 113 and 1197 and never doubt that said items would work almost daily without a problem for several years. I cannot however, spend $3000 on a mini computer/sonar unit and have any certainty of the unit working for 6 months of occasional usage while half of my warranty fly's out the window during the winter months when the boat is in storage.

The makers of these head units, Lowrance, Garmin, HB, etc. have the makings of a cool multi-function device. I know Garmin and Furuno? have taken the next step but it is costly to allow the units to function as a video screen, not sure what HB decided to do with the video jack on the back of the 1197. Lowrances website says it does not accept product ideas. :cookoo: What I would love to see Lowrance do is open a forum like board like this one here where customers can ask questions, and get them answered by company reps, leave the posts up for everyone to see. Maybe they would end up with fewer calls handling the same problem over and over and over again. I have found the KB on the website to be about useless. I would LOVE to see more software updates for products already out there, continued development if you will. Though I am drooling at the downscan that came out, that is why I bought the HB, and to charge $600 more for it! bleh!! I am guessing, like the HD box I bought a couple years ago only to see it get integrated into the new units, that next year we will prolly see the same thing with the sidescan.

I want to love my Lowrance units, I really do. But, even before the whole Linda Colt fiasco, when my 38 died on me, I decided that I will go with HB when the Lowrance's break again and I cannot get them repaired/replaced, the situation with Linda simply put the final nail in the coffin. Unless some big changes come about soon.

[maxxum]

I sent a message to Navico. Two of the emails came back immediately. The one to louis.chemi was received and answered. I honestly don't think it will cause any change in the way they treat employees nor will it change Navico's customer service or there products. They are concerned with the bottom line. Whether they make a good product or not is debatable.

[Sabot]

You guys did great... change is in the wind...

[muskyman73]

I have an LCX 27cHD and it has burned through 3 pucks for the gps. I have called lowrance and they told me to pound sand. I now leave the unit on the ram mount when I go places - in hopes that someone steals it so that it will become someone else's problem. I like the fish finder portion of it, but I have no GPS. I have a glorified fish finder right now. Does anyone have a GPS unit they wanna get rid of ? I need one. I figure I will install another unit, gps only, and this way I got my bases covered.

[blueicecpa]

Wallgeye , you hit it right on the nose, mini portable computers.

Lowrance for me, GPS pucks blown, went through 5 of them, now have 3 set up and cannot be without it.

My Back up is Humminbird with 2 GPS antenas , turns out it's faster redrawing the boat position and it will be my Primary now in 2010.

Transducers, also went through 4 of them. 2008/2009 was quaity prodution isseus , next one come from Airmar.

I think the Cost accountants and production moved to Mexico ? or China ? had Quality control issues. I dont have a Problem using contract production , but when Quality control suffers then we consumers suffer that a big problem.

[seaotter]

I started with lowrance in 1964 with a used green box the original owner did not understand how it worked. I have had several units since. All have worked great. I had a problem with an lms 350 a, I returned it for service and recieved it back timely and it worked until I sold it this last fall. I presently have a x75 on the front and a new last fall lxc112c at the console. I hope the 112 works as well as my previous units and if not hope for good service.

[CoolfinIE]

I have had 2 Lowrance units, a sonar and a sonar/GPS, and never a problem, never a reason to call customer service.