Looking for Lowrance help/advice

[joeytmn]

Sorry, I mistakenly posted this in the Misc.-Computers/Electronics section first. So here it is again.

Hi - My dad has a Lowrance LMS 330C and it works fine, but it is mounted in the back of the boat. Whenever there's two or more of us in the boat, you cannot see the trolling motor from the back. In other words, it's really hard to see the GPS/Sonar and operate the trolling motor without straining your neck trying to see around everyone.

So my question is (finally), is there any way to add a second unit or even just a monitor that feeds off of the existing unit? I'm guessing you cannot simply get a video output to duplicate on a second monitor, but is there a way for two systems to share one sonar/gps signal to reduce some wiring?

I know we're going to have to invest in some new gear, but I'd like to make the best of what we already have.

Thanks for any help that anyone can offer!

[mwal]

Lowrance units can network and share GPS coordinates and transducer via Nema 2000 conectivity. On that old of a unit I do not know if that is worth the money and effort. You could probably get another locator on hsolist but would need a Lowrance Nema 2000 kit It appears that LMS units are capable of networking. I would give a Lowrance dealer a call.

Mwal

[CaptainMusky]

If you are not needing a transducer for the other unit you can certainly just find a head unit and install in front. Unfortunately networking units of that vintage gets spendy because you have to have a nmea backbone. That's gonna run $100 on its own I'm sure. If you had an hds unit you could just get an Ethernet cable to connect the other device at like $40. Lots of good used hds units out there. They will likely still work with the cables you already have in your boat too. So you could just get two head units and an Ethernet cable and be in business.

The other option would be just buying a dedicated unit up there. Lowrance just announced a color sonar for under $100 new! You could mount the ducer to the trolling motor and not worry about networking. This would be cheapest route provided you don't need GPS.

[joeytmn]

Thanks for the good info everyone. I had a feeling this was the place to ask. Great forum, great folks.

Sounds like my options are to get a new system with networking capability or add another old/inexpensive, independent unit in the front.

[CaptainMusky]

Pretty much. Lots of good used ones out there.