USB ports....Why not?

[LLewellin]

Wouldn't it be great if Lowrance & HB would put USB ports on their products. Seems like this would help in fixing/diagnosing problems. I have seen many times over the years when an IT person can fix problems on computers and they can be located anywhere. You actually get to see the curser move and click while they work on your computer. So why don't they just have internet access for these units? It would also help with updates.


Sure wish Apple would make a GPS/SONAR combo for marine use

[Shellback]

Ya really think they want you to have the ability to repair or diagnose your own stuff? What they charge for out of warranty repairs probably covers their warranty costs!

[reddog]

What about linking your unit to your home computer, so you could set up a tech session directly with Humminbird or Lowrance, where they could go right into your unit while your unit sat at your computer and they worked on it from Tulsa or Eufala?

[locomoto]

It may seem that technology has really changed how we attack fishing but in my opinion the big two are sitting on their hands. Wireless networking has been around for over ten years in the home computer world but nonexistent in the fishing world. How about buying your sonar/GPS module as a stand alone unit and then buying a display of whatever size suits your needs. Don't even get me going on this iPilot thing. First you can only record 3 tracks, then a couple years and a few hundred dollars later you can upgrade to 6 tracks and now the iPilot link is the next big thing. But yet long before the iPilot was even thought of I could store 30 days of music on an iPod that is smaller than an empty wallet. Sorry for the rant but these marine electronics guys are 15 years behind in their game. It wouldn't take long for a new player to get serious in the market and the Humminbird or Lowrance threads would be extinct.

[tugger]

Originally Posted by locomoto

It may seem that technology has really changed how we attack fishing but in my opinion the big two are sitting on their hands. Wireless networking has been around for over ten years in the home computer world but nonexistent in the fishing world. How about buying your sonar/GPS module as a stand alone unit and then buying a display of whatever size suits your needs. Don't even get me going on this iPilot thing. First you can only record 3 tracks, then a couple years and a few hundred dollars later you can upgrade to 6 tracks and now the iPilot link is the next big thing. But yet long before the iPilot was even thought of I could store 30 days of music on an iPod that is smaller than an empty wallet. Sorry for the rant but these marine electronics guys are 15 years behind in their game. It wouldn't take long for a new player to get serious in the market and the Humminbird or Lowrance threads would be extinct.

++++ Don't forget the regurgitating (FINALLY) of Pinpoint features from a decade or more ago.

[acar555]

I agree the technology in these units is dated compared to other items today. Especially for the price. For $2000 you can buy some really nice items for your house. There is no way a 8" display in a water proof case is that expensive. Especially when 60" LED backlit tv with internet is cheaper. The Pinpoint technology isn't close to the same as the way IPilot works. Pinpoint when it worked was great, problem was it didn't stay working for very long. The main reason I believe you don't see alot of the new features in these items is power. You only get so much from a battery. It is pretty easy to do at home plugged into a wall with basically unlimited supply but not in a boat.