New Lowrance 334c- first trip

[yarcraft91]

I took my 334c on its maiden voyage in Saginaw Bay today, with a Navionics Premium Hotmaps North chip. Some observations-

It was slow to get a GPS fix, but once it did it was as accurate on position and speed as the Garmin GPCMap 76 I brought along. The internal-antenna 334c worked fine in my open-top boat, just like the internal-antenna Garmin 162 it replaced.

I had to start the main motor several times at the dock and I get the impression the 334c doesn't like being "on" when the main motor is started. The option for split-screen GPS/Sonar display had disappeared from the GPS page. The other 4 GPS display modes were available, but the last line where the GPS/Sonar option should have appeared was blank. I had to "reset all options" on the unit to get GPS/sonar back on the list of display options.

Bright sunlight- I could barely see the display at first and I couldn't get the backlight to work. Once I got the unit options reset, I was able to turn on the backlight enough to make the dsplay visible- it was a very nice display then.

We cruised structure on Saginaw Bay and found the Navionics chip agreed pretty well with the depth finder data (another low water year- Sigh! Found a DNR crew at the Saginaw River boat launch discussing a dredging project today- which this launch really needs! They said the project would start next week, last about 2 weeks and the launch would probably be closed during dredging.)

Interesting feature of the 334c split-screen GPS/sonar mode. I could easily adjust the size of the numerals in the display of Speed over Bottom on the GPS part of the scrreen, but could not figure out how to adjust the depth numerals on the sonar part. So, back to the manual...

Overall, the unit looks like a keeper. I'm bothered by the need to reset the options to get the 334c working properly. Anyone else have experience with this? Should I avoid turning it on until after the main motor is running? Does the 334c need to be on a different battery?

[Wade@JollyAnnMarine]

>Overall, the unit looks like a keeper. I'm bothered by the need to >reset the options to get the 334c working properly. Anyone else have >experience with this? Should I avoid turning it on until after the main >motor is running? Does the 334c need to be on a different battery?

I don't know if this is the problem for your unit but that generally indicates that your battery output is dropping too much, which may mean a bad battery. Not always, but it's something to check into.

Otherwise, I wonder if it's properly grounded? It should be. You may want to check with Lowrance and see what they have to say. That shouldn't be happening.

Wade Kuehl - Jolly Ann Marine
Jolly Ann Marine can be found in the Walleye Central Business Directory under Electronics/GPS
www.walleyecentral.com/phpyellow/

[yarcraft91]

Hey, Wade!

The manual says minimum 10 volts required for the 334c, so I was also suspicious of the battery, but it's pretty new and tests OK. I've always run the boat electronics off the starting battery without trouble 'til now. I've got a second battery and will wire the unit to it directly. If the problem shows up again, I'll call Lowrance.

Just wondering if you mounted the unit with a RAM mount (or something similar) or just use the base that comes with it? My 334 is on the way!

I reccommend using a ram mount. You will need to be able to swivel the unit somewhat under various conditions.

I agree with Wayne. It sounds more like a power issue than the unit itself.

Sorry, Wade.
(not "Wayne")
Sheeese!

[yarcraft91]

I mounted the Lowrance gimbal bracket on the dash in front of the helm. No Ram mount. The power wiring runs directly to the battery- not the switch panel.