Lowrance HDS 7 - Dead?

[Matt C]

Went out fishing this morning, my HDS 7 wouldn't power on, I checked all the connections, looked good.

I pulled my HDS 5 from the bow and hooked it up at the helm, works like a champ. So that takes away the wiring issue.

I put the HDS 7 at the bow mount where the 5 was...nothing.

So that points to the unit its self.

I pulled the lakemaster chip thinking maybe a chip issue? No go.

It worked yesterday on the lake just fine.

Any ideas? or do I break the news to my wife...

[Nick Kuhn]

Maybe it had an internal fuse blow? Tough to say, you'll probably have to send it in. I can't imagine you'd end up paying full price for a replacement though.

[Matt C]

I dont think its under warranty anymore? I got it in July of 2009.

[Esox_Magnum]

2 year warrenty on HDS units right?? Never hurts to call anyway, like said maybe just a fuse...

[delcecchi]

Lowrance is on facebook.

It will be interesting to watch this to see how Lowrance handles it.

[smokingun]

yes 2 year warrenty on HDS units

[TooTallTom]

Any ideas? or do I break the news to my wife...

Maybe the wife...ALREADY KNOWS! da-da-DAAAAA! Has she been hinting that you've been spending too much time on the water lately? That she wants more "together time"? Or maybe that you should just sell that dumb old boat anyway?

[Matt C]

Lol! No kidding huh?

This is their response to e-mailing them on asking if I was under warranty...

Thank you for contacting us.

Based on your information, we do recommend sending your unit in for service.

If the unit is still under the 2 year warranty, please inform us and be prepared to include a copy of the bill of sale to verify warranty when shipping the product to the factory for service.

If the unit is no longer under warranty, a flat rate replacement fee of $499.95 for the replacement of your HDS-7 Insight USA unit will be charged. The repair cost includes 6 month replacement warranty. There is an additional charge of $12.50 for shipping and handling.

OUCH!

[jeff127]

That blows when you have a 24 month warranty and at 25 months it dies----I have a hds-8 and at 12 months water got inside(older unit purchased before they got water intrusion problem fixed) and the internal antennae fried and a few buttons quit working. I checked online for a possible solution and read horror story after horror story about the customer service at lowrance. I called them they said send it in and 7 days later a new unit in the box was at my house.

The new unit has'nt skipped a beat and was thrilled with the service and fast turn around.

jeff

[PerchJerker]

Here's an idea to try --- probably not what's going on but worth checking before you have to send it in .......

If your screen brightness got turned all the way down, the display is almost impossible to see in the daylight. The lights behind the button keys should come on though, and it may or may not give an audible "beep". To try to get it back, turn the unit on (assuming that it really does power up) --- then give it a minute or so to boot, then hit the Enter key to Accept the warning / disclaimer screen, then hit the power button 1 time, then hit the right arrow key about 10-20 times. If the screen brightness got turned way down this will bring it back up.

Like I said, a long shot at best, but probably worth trying. Good luck with it.

[Surface Tension]

Look at back of the unit where you plug the power cord into.

Could be some corrosion there. Use a toothbrush and electrical contact cleaner.

If that doesn't work try a hard reset before you send it in.

Press and hold the Zoom keys in, press and release the Power key. When a screen appears release the Zoom keys.