Lowrance and Navionics

[MJBaldwin]

So here is my question I just bought a Lowrance H20C on the list for fifty bucks not knowing a whole lot it comes out I think it might be junk after reading a few posts on here it's just not locking into he satellites. I think I might just put it in the bay store and see if I can get back what I spent on it.. Anyways my question would be if anyone has tricks for fixing hat I would be happy to hear them if not wondering about the navionics app for the iPhone. I just got it so I only get he 2gb data plan so I'm wondering once I download it would it use data to track everything of find my points thats the only thing I am concerned About seems like a lot of guys like that all let me know that's in advance..

[MNPIKE]

Sorry that your H2O is not seeing satellites. I would reset the device and then turn off WAAS. I have an H2Oc that I bought used last year and I use it along w/ the navionics app for the iphone. The navionics app drains my battery pretty quick on the iphone unless I remember to turn off the appliation...and I have forgotten to do that a couple of times.

BTW...you can save maps on the navionics app...so then all you are using is the GPS antenna...which doesn't use the cellular network.

[broman]

You're SOL. They do sell external GPS antennae for them. I always wondered if one would fix the issue. But probably not.

[eyebjim]

My H2o will take a very long time to find satellites if I let the batteries totally die. I mean 1 to 4 hours. I just leave it in a area where there is good signal and eventually it will connect. Maybe give this a try.

[magnum mike]

Mine takes a long time to aquire also after it has been sititng for a long time. Get it fired up, make sure it is intialized and let it sit.

[MJBaldwin]

Magnum mike, how do you know if its initialized??

[eyebjim]

press menu 2 times then select gps setup then select initialize gps

[MJBaldwin]

With the navionics app is says this should not be used with a 3G phone does anyone have a problem with their phone and or app not working with the navionics app??

[PRO-V]

Just because it won't lock on doesn't necessarily mean your unit or antenna crapped out. It is still a computer and can get confused. Try these steps to reset it.

With unit off, hold power and exit keys till it beeps and release.

or

press and hold pages and power and release when map appears

if that doesn't work try holding Zin and Zout keys, hold power key, when tone sounds release and hit find,holding this key till a higher tone sounds then release and turn off.

Have had to reset mine a few times over the years.

Just remember when your on this forum there are alot of opinions with a few facts mixed in here and there.

[mr_jman]

Mine takes a while to lock in as well... Depending on how far it is to the lake, turn it on and put it on the front dash of the truck (I do it at about 10 - 15 mins before I get to the lake) and when you get there you SHOULD be locked on.

[MJBaldwin]

Well guys I have tried those things. And still not locking in to the satellites I think I'm goin to leave it in my truck all night And let it search I did that one time and I think it locked into one but then turned it off and then back on like Lowrance said to do and nothing. I think I am doing these resets correct but I M new to all these GPS for land or water all I have used is my Tom Tom which is plug and go.

[sluggr]

PRO-V thanks for the input did all 3 procedures on the unit inside the house then went outside and turned it on and in less than five minutes had a lock on six satelites and good accuracy. thanks again

[MattL]

With the navionics app is says this should not be used with a 3G phone does anyone have a problem with their phone and or app not working with the navionics app??

I just downloaded the app last weekend for my HTC Incredible 2. So far I really like it. I'll probably use it more than my Lowrance Expedition. It works fine with 3G, but you'll want to use Wi-Fi for the initial download and to download maps. You have to download areas as you need them, but once you have them downloaded they are saved on your SD card. I just selected the whole state of MN so I have all the lakes and it took about 10 mins.

[prophet]

downloaded app on friday,tried it on two lakes and like with i see.didnt take long to load on 3g motorolla,will be playing with it again on thursday when i go out

[MinnGuy]

My brother in law had trouble locking satellites on his H2O. He bought a cheap antenna off an online auction siteand it works like a champ.

[MJBaldwin]

Minnguy, was that an external antenna then? I tried searching online for an internal antenna but just couldn't find one did he just mount it to the back of he unit or doesn't he use it as a mobile unit?