View Full Version : Lowrance X-15?
eleyfish
07-11-2001, 07:55 AM
I am purchasing a bigger boat for Erie, I currently have a LMS-350 in my old boat but I was considering purchasing one of the new X-15 units. Should I just take my 350 off the old boat and put it on the new? I have heard a lot of negative feedback on the X-15s and wondered if they had it straightened out yet, thanks.
When my X15 works I love it, when it doesn't I hate it. So...if you'd like to join the thousands of other consumer product testers like myself that Lowrance is using then I'd buy one. If long phone calls to customer service and downloading software every month aren't your thing, then I'd wait til next year when we've worked through all the bugs for'em.
FISHPRO
07-11-2001, 08:40 AM
Eleyfish,
Sounds as though you are already familiar with Lowrance. The x-15 is clearly a remarkable device. I presently own both an X-15MT and an X-15CT. Ensure that you get the latest software update (2.10) and your unit will amaze you. When I first installed mine in April, they had not yet released the series of software updates and the units were troublesome in shallow water. However, since upgrading the software, they are both functioning perfectly. I have owned numerous Lowrance and other brand fish locators over the past thirty plus years and I can truly say that the X-15 is the finest I've ever owned. There have been numerous messages posted on this board regarding the pros and cons of the X-15. I am sorry For those who have had problems and have "written off" the X-15 because it is a superb piece of equipment! I am not sponsored by Lowrance, but I am proud to use their products.
squidkid
07-11-2001, 09:39 AM
hope you don't mind me jumping i here.....i am in the process of purchasing a new graph and am looking for input.......is the x-15 worth the $300 more than the x-85?........how about these graphs.....lms350a? zercom lpg 2000? pinpoint 7820? pinpoint 7520? pinpoint 7220? pinpoint 7420? thanks
FROGMAN
07-11-2001, 09:43 AM
Like everyone else out there that purchased an x-15 early on I have had to work through the bugs in their software. That being said, the x-85 can no way compare to the Lcx-15. The x-15 will give you so much more detail, and has more power to boot. Good luck!
Keith Segar
NPAA #260
ezmarc
07-11-2001, 11:29 AM
I had trouble early on with mine also and there are a couple features missing that I would like, but this thing blows away my 350A as a fish/depth finder, I use the 350 as a plotter when trolling, so I can have full or split screen sonar on the 15mt. I'd suggest keeping your 350 for this purpose.
I've purchased a couple of hot spot maps for it and they are right on the money.The graphics and target separation are awesome and I've had no trouble in the last 2 months or so since the upgrades and a new transducer.
Bad Finger
07-11-2001, 11:32 AM
If you can live without a built in GPS, take a look at a Vexilar Edge2. Blows everything on the water away!
Jim Carroll
07-11-2001, 11:42 AM
I am running two X-15mt's updated to 2.10 and have had zero problems. When I'm pulling crankbaits, I run the units side by side on the dash with the NMEA wires linked and a single GPS antenna. This allows me to have one unit with a full screen sonar chart and the other with a GPS Mapping screen. Additionally, I have a third X-15 power cord from the bow and my NMEA wires from my VHS radio tied in at the dash also. When I'm using the bowmount, I move the second X-15 up to the bow and split the screen for sonar/GPS. The NMEA VHS interface will allow me to transmit digital position data in the event of an emergency. Ideally, I would rather have a third X-15 or a Global Map 3000 to avoid moving the units back and forth but that wasn't in my budget.
I am very impressed with the sonar on the X-15 especially when using it in manual mode. The detail it will show is far and away above the 350A's I've had in the past. One of my benchmarks is that I am marking a lot more fish inside of baitfish clouds than I ever did before. The X-15 also does extremely well seperating fish from bottom structure.
I know several people using X-15's, and after software updates, none of them has experienced any problems. I have every confidence that Lowrance will continue to improve these units and I view that as real plus in that, if you have access to a computer, you can update your unit without sending it in to the factory. There are a few things I would like to see changed (digital data on the GPS screen and some convenience related things- like why in the world would you put the fish icon in the MIDDLE of 42 other icons. I use that icon as much or more than any other; you would think they would put it near the upper left corner) but overall I am very satisfied with how the X-15's perform and I regard them as money well spent. JC
Mine developed a mind of it's own and started doing all kinds of strange things. It got sent back to the factory a few days ago. Hopefully they will send me a new one (and soon), if not, I'll end up having paid top dollar (plus shipping charges) for a rework . I'd suggest you leave your money in the bank for a while til they get the bugs out of it. Keep in mind, the one you buy might be one of the originals that's been sitting on the shelf for months.
What about the reliability of the LPG2000. I thought they had some problems too. I am either going to buy the LPG2000 or the X-15 w/out the GPS. Which one of these units will help you catch more fish? I believe the detail is excellent on both, but the LPG2000 updates faster. Will be fishing inland lakes and Lake Michigan. I would like to hear froms some of the LPG2000 owners who have had theirs for a while.
Thanks,
GLee
I have both the Zercom LPG2000 and the X-15 MT w/ GPS. I have the zercom mounted in the bow and the X-15 at console. I don't see a whole lot of difference as far as detail goes between the 2. Reeds has a the Zercom 2000's on sale now for 479 - which is a great deal.
I like the x-15 better in some ways, but it is more complex than needed. The GPS with software mapping is real nice. Unless you are totally satisfied with your current GPS, you may want to consider adding that. I have 2 other GPS units, but decided to step up and get the GPS on this. It is very nice. The detail in the unit can't be beat. It is a little better than the Zercom, but not a lot as far as this goes. Biggest advantage of the zercom is that it is very simple and easy to use. I like the push button dial style much better than the more complex Lowrance style.
Unless you want the GPS capability of the x-15, I would be leaning towards the zercom. The transducer isn't as nice on the zercom - only drawback. You can probably get better ones through zercom.
- Dan
BTW - I have had zero problems with my X-15 MT. I wouldn't let the initial bugs influence your decision. Lowrance is a top quality company and I wouldn't worry a bit.
squidkid
07-11-2001, 02:24 PM
as far as quality graphs go, do these thing need to be all adjusted manually or do they run almost as effectively in an auto mode?..........can you justify to me the need for a $600-$800 graph for fishing waters 15 ft.(saginaw bay for me) or less?............i guess what i am getting at is i am willing to spend the money to do the job......would a 600 watt unit be sufficient?..........thanks
Tracy
07-11-2001, 02:38 PM
I bought my X-15 in early April. I almost took it back before instalation because of all of the negative comments here on WC about the unit. I am glad that I did not. I have had ZERO problems with mine on Lake Erie. I love it. It is by far the best sonar unit that I have ever owned. I have yet to download the new 2.1 software into mine, and still have not had any problems. I have the full GPS Mapping Package as well, and am equally please with it.
Tracy
Today there was a package. It was a brand new X15. The defective one was mailed to Lowrance last Mon. afternoon. A new one was back in my hands in less than a week. Who could complain about that kind of service? Thanx. Lowrance. Much appreciated.
Lowrance sent me a brand new x15 replacement unit. Got it in less than a week from the time I sent in the bad one. Will be using the new one this wknd. Pretty good service, even tho I did have to pay the postage to send them my faulty x15 unit. I'd be willing to bet that in the future all new models will be properly tested before hitting shelves.
Lowrance sent me a brand new x15 replacement unit. Got it in less than a week from the time I sent in the bad one. Will be using the new one this wknd. Pretty good service, even tho I did have to pay the postage to send them my faulty x15 unit. I'd be willing to bet that in the future all new models will be properly tested before hitting shelves.
wish2fish
07-19-2001, 08:57 AM
I have a X 15 and the second one works great. I did have a problem out of the box and Lowrance sent a new unit. I asked that they send the new unit before I sent the old one back. I had the new unit within a week, it worked, and sent the old one back.
I did have to provide a credit card # to have the second unit shipped. They don't charge unless you fail to return the original within 30 days.