Lowrance did good

[Wayne Ek]

Sent two units back to Lowrance on 1/16/10. A LCX-111 and LCX-113, both units are out of warranty. Got a call from them on Friday 1/5/10 both units need repair, the cost being $312.00 on one of the units and $512.00 for the second unit. Mike said they would just send out two new units for those figures. Works for me, happy with the service. Also full warranty now with a new extend warranty as they can extend the warranty for 6 months longer if the unit is used a state that has no soft water fishing during the winter months.

[rcatcherman]

Sounds like Lowance to me.

[croixflats]

Happy they helped you out but I'm sorry but I'd be peaved to have to send two units in in the first place.

[JeffB]

Hope the next ones last longer for you.

[Northlander]

2 new units of that quality for that price seems more than fair to me. Especially with a new warranty.

[Lee Lane]

As a fishing guide in the summer months I can tell ya to have a spare on hand because you never know when ones going to puff ...however lowrance has always been good about replacing one that kicked the bucket.

[harvey lee]

Its great that they took care of you Wayne.

I wish they would have done the same for me with my 520c. Perchjerker did help me after Lowrance did nothing for me.

I personally will not have to worry about Lowrances CS any longer as I will now run the Birds.

[MarkAlm]

How old were these units and how far out of warrenty?

[harvey lee]

My unit is 3 years old and when I started to have issues it was not out of warranty but is now.

Perchjerker solved my issues.

[Wayne Ek]

Mark if you are asking me, the units I sent in are 3 plus years old. They only carry a 1 year warranty.

[7outof10]

they did nothing for me when my 334 c needed to be fixed they told me over the phone it would cost around 600 to fix it ....well we bought it 4 years ago for like 850 i said no way im a bird man after that one ......thanks lorance ....

[Rost]

Before I bash, I must say that I have $2000 of Lowrance electronics on my boat (X27, 522, and X97)and I cross my fingers each spring before I fire them up! I had several problems with my x27 right off the bat. After several software updates, it now works decent (but not perfect). I called Lowrance at least 6 times on this issue, spent about a total of 4 calendar days on hold with them.

I can't even imagine shelling out $2000 for something only to have it last for 3 years. Then, to have the company charge $500+ to fix. The one year warranty Lowrance used to have (and Humminbird currently has) is rediculous. And to top it off, most of us put these products on the shelf for 5 months each winter, where they obviously don't get used. Some will argue that the 1 year was sufficient because they are used in the harsh marine environment. I don't buy that argument. For $2000, these units should bait your hook.

And now recently, Lowrance lost it's greatest customer service asset- Linda Colt. She was the best.

I am gonna go out on a limb and make a wild prediction.. if Lowrance doesn't change things up soon, the Hum Birds will soar. The movement has already begun.

[harvey lee]

There is no doubt that Humminbird is on a huge rise in total market.

Lowrance does need to change up how they operate very soon or they will find themselves #2 or #3 in the market.

[jjohnson5150]

Do you guys that actually made progress with your Lowrance issues have a special customer service line or get more pull because you are guides?

I have had enough issues with getting Lowrance products fixed that I am officially off the Lowrance brand for future purchases.

These items cost way too much to have this many problems.

[Wayne Ek]

Look at it this way Rost. If you purchased a lap top or a desk top and it crashed after 3 years, none of the companys will give you a new one for 1/4th of your original purchase price. Most graphs take one heck of a beating when they are on the bow and a bigger unit takes an even bigger beating. So far I'm happy with the way Lowrance has handled my problem. Now that being said I have not got the second graph back yet, but they said it would be 3-4 weeks before the new ones came in.

[harvey lee]

I agree Wayne but, when you have a product that continues to give one trouble and they just ignore you, thats not the correct action for Lowrance to take.

[jigginjim]

Time to call in the tv stations. They seem to get action and /or answer

[Rost]

Look at it this way Rost. If you purchased a lap top or a desk top and it crashed after 3 years, none of the companys will give you a new one for 1/4th of your original purchase price. Most graphs take one heck of a beating when they are on the bow and a bigger unit takes an even bigger beating. So far I'm happy with the way Lowrance has handled my problem. Now that being said I have not got the second graph back yet, but they said it would be 3-4 weeks before the new ones came in.

I agree! Dell isn't going to send me a new laptop when this one crashes, but then again, they didn't charge me 2k for it either. Plus, this computer rarely get's turned off. Most of the time it's 24 hrs per day.

My question to you is...How in the heck can a guy be satisfied with the fact that not one, but BOTH of your $2000 units took a dump after three years? That's $4000 in electronics that lasted 3 years! Sure, you got a good deal on replacements, but that doesn't take away the fact that your old units still costed you roughly $1000/ year to operate.

Maybe I am just old fashioned and expect a $4000 investment to last longer than that. I guess some people don't feel the same.

[dvd]

I agree with Rost. Lowrance has known issues and doesn't take care of their customers. I had unit that was a couple years old and had the known switch problems. This unit was literally used maybe 20 times in 2 years when it failed. Stored in the house and never abusedI will never buy a Lowrance product again. Easily for a consumer these days to see what problems others are having so Lowrance can't say never seen that before.

[harvey lee]

One thing that really bugs me is that Lowrance knows and has for a long time that their 12v cords to plug into the unit has issues.

They have done nothing to help people from what I have seen or heard of.

Yes, I have recieved a few new ones for free but that does not correct the problem for many that had to purchase a new one when Lowrance knows they have issues with them.

For those who have had their units taken care of, thats great.

[walleyewild]

I would have to say that I think that is much improved over Lowrances policies in the past.

The LCX line of graphs cost 2000.00 a piece or there abouts, to get them replaced for those prices is much better then having to shell out 4000.00 for new on Wayne's boat.

I know that Wayne fishes almost every day as a guide that is more wear and tear in a year then most of us put on our boats in 3 years as weekend fishermen.

I really think we need to quit bashing lowrance CS, I have owned lowrance and eagle products for over 20 years and have gotten plenty of use out of my electronics before I have had to replace them, but have never needed to send them in for repair. If they are older then 7 or 8 years old that is about the time I look to replace them anywy, the technology has advanced quite a bit by that time anyway.

I feel for those of you that have had issues and can't get them resolved, but remember you chose to buy the product, no one forced you to buy that item, there are lemons in every manufactured device.

Being an electronics Tech for 30 + years I have found that failure rate is about 1% give or take, and if a device is going to fail it'll fail in the first 90 days.

Electronic devices are disposable anymore with surface mount components and sealed devices for weather resistance the repair part is quite difficult at best to get right if the tech is not trained correctly.

We all have internet access anymore so bashing is more the norm then giving positive feedback, I give both as my job gets customer sat surveys as well so I try to give great customer service. Companies need to get the customer sat part handled or they end up going out of business in this economy because people won't buy the devices if there is no support on the back side.

WW

[Wayne Ek]

Rost I still disagree. If you have a 2006 250 HPDI that you purchased new and did not get the extended warranty and it blows after 3 years Yamaha is not going to replace it for 1/4th the original cost... right. Lowrance certainly has to look at where their customer service has gone or is going. But the fact remains that I got new graphs after the warranty was expired by more than two years and it only cost me 1/4th the price of new ones. So we agree, when some company treats you poorly you can and maybe should let the world know about it. And when someone treats you right you can and should let the world know about it.

[dvd]

I would have to say that I think that is much improved over Lowrances policies in the past.

The LCX line of graphs cost 2000.00 a piece or there abouts, to get them replaced for those prices is much better then having to shell out 4000.00 for new on Wayne's boat.

I know that Wayne fishes almost every day as a guide that is more wear and tear in a year then most of us put on our boats in 3 years as weekend fishermen.

I really think we need to quit bashing lowrance CS, I have owned lowrance and eagle products for over 20 years and have gotten plenty of use out of my electronics before I have had to replace them, but have never needed to send them in for repair. If they are older then 7 or 8 years old that is about the time I look to replace them anywy, the technology has advanced quite a bit by that time anyway.

I feel for those of you that have had issues and can't get them resolved, but remember you chose to buy the product, no one forced you to buy that item, there are lemons in every manufactured device.

Being an electronics Tech for 30 + years I have found that failure rate is about 1% give or take, and if a device is going to fail it'll fail in the first 90 days.

Electronic devices are disposable anymore with surface mount components and sealed devices for weather resistance the repair part is quite difficult at best to get right if the tech is not trained correctly.

We all have internet access anymore so bashing is more the norm then giving positive feedback, I give both as my job gets customer sat surveys as well so I try to give great customer service. Companies need to get the customer sat part handled or they end up going out of business in this economy because people won't buy the devices if there is no support on the back side.

WW

I agree that I have choice that is why I choose to support a different brand now but others need to know of the issues. I am also in the electronic business as an Electrical Engineer. I have designed many products and testing programs for various products. I had an Eagle product and that is why I purchased my first 2 Lowrance units. Both have had the same issue with the buttons. I also personally know others that have had the same issue so little more that a 1% failure.

Lemons also can happen but it is how you handle it makes the difference. I also give products that deserve it a recommendation. I believe that many of us research and like to see both types opinions before we purchase anything.

I know I do since these or anything else usually are expensive and actual experiences are priceless. I didn't even get close to 7-8 years for very expensive devices. I don't get out very often so usage is very low and my units were very well taken care of so they should work for a long time. I know I didn't get my money out of the Lowrance products. Just my opinion.

[Rost]

Rost I still disagree. If you have a 2006 250 HPDI that you purchased new and did not get the extended warranty and it blows after 3 years Yamaha is not going to replace it for 1/4th the original cost... right. Lowrance certainly has to look at where their customer service has gone or is going. But the fact remains that I got new graphs after the warranty was expired by more than two years and it only cost me 1/4th the price of new ones. So we agree, when some company treats you poorly you can and maybe should let the world know about it. And when someone treats you right you can and should let the world know about it.

Yeah, that 250 HPDI was a bad deal all around. The number #3 oil pump was faulty therefore it would blow that cylinder. My buddy is on his 3rd powder head. And, I believe that Yamaha should fry for this! Sames goes to those poor souls that bought Opti Pops back in the late 90's early 2000's! I am just glad they don't have the same problem with the 150 HPDI!! .

I respect your opinion Wayne.. we just differ in opinions. That is what makes these forums cool.

[walleyewild]

DVD,

Point well stated and taken. I guess that I am saying that I have had good luck with my Lowrance units, I shouldn't have to say "Good Luck" it should be expected that they work as intended out of the box, but I see Maintenance releases on phone software all the time.

Which comes from the powers that be saying get it out in the field and we'll fix the bugs later. DVD it may not happen at your company but I see several different vendors and they all have some sort of issues with new product releases, and it doesn't mater whether it is high or low end product. " make the buck then we'll fix it" is the attitude.

I would be extreemly happy to replace my out of warranty units for a 1/4th the price if it was offered to me.

Wayne I like your motor analogy that is priceless.

We all agree that Lowrance has issues, but I think Wayne is saying that it is starting to change at Lowrance.

I have taken a couple of surveys from Lowrance in the last 6 months and stated that their CS is below average, and I hope that they are looking at the results and making the changes needed or Humming Bird will be gaining market share.

It is all about the almighty dollar anymore!!!!

Just My Opinion here.

WW