Lowrance GPS lock in question

[ccarlson]

I put a new lowrance 3500 C stand alone GPS on the boat this year and I am noticing a pattern that I'm wondering if the rest of you are seeing.

Most of the time when I turn the unit on it does not want to lock in, even if I wait a very long time. But then if I shut off the power and turn it back on it locks in to the position almost immediately. Same thing happens if I should lose the position, it won't lock back in most of the time unless I shut the power off and back on at which time it locks in within 2 seconds every time.

What is going on and are the rest of you experiencing this?

I already had to have the cable and antenea replaced after the first week because it kept saying "gps module not responding"

ccarlson

[dockehr]

ccarlson, Lowrance has put out an update for the LGC-2000 GPS antennas. One of the "enhancements" is a faster acquistion time. Go to their HSOforum and determine if this will help you.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle

[dockehr]

ccarlson, another thought occurred to me with regards the wiring of the 2004-2005 Lowrance GPS and GPS/Sonar units.

When you wired your unit did you wire BOTH the black wire of the NMEA wire bundle AND the silver ground wire of the NMEA wire bundle to the negative post of your battery? It follows of course, that the red wire of the NMEA wire bundle goes to the positive post of your battery.

An incedible number of people have overlooked this step owing to the fact that these new units use a powered LGC-2000 GPS antenna versus the older non-powered LGC-12 GPS antenna. Anyway, just an additional thought.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle

[ccarlson]

Dockehr,

I'll check on the update. I assume mine would be updated since I waited a month for Reed's to get one in stock and it finally came in only about 3 weeks ago. Then, I had problems with the antenea wires and Reed's replaced both the wires and antenea with an even newer shipment right off Lowrance production.

Also, I did double check my wiring in regards to the powered antenea and even had my wiring job looked at by Lee at Reed's to make sure I had done it right when I experienced the first problem.

The unusual thing is that it does lock up immediately after I re-power.

Anyone else having the same problem?

ccarlson

[Northlander]

Dockehr,

Do you know where I can get a instructional video for My Lowrance X-15 and Lms 332?

My LMS continually shows 32 degrees water temp and I cant figure out how to get it to read the correct temps. Im wondering if something is wrong with my universal sonar on my Minkota bow mount? The LMS is on the bow hooked up to my Minkota .

I know Im not using my X-15 to its full potential and want to learn how to do some more in depth stuff with it.

[email protected] Thanks a lot.

[Da Beak]

Northlander,

I don't believe the Universal Sonar on the Minnkota's are capable of transmitting temp. (At least mine isn't) Also, you can download emulators from Lowrance's HSOforum, and play learn them on your pc.

Beak

[Northlander]

OK I tried that but cant find that feature on their HSOforum. What am I doing wrong? Where should I be looking?

Thanks for helping a computer dumby out!

[Da Beak]

Northlander, e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll send you the link.

[dockehr]

ccarlson, the update for the LGC-2000 antenna is dated June 29,2005. I would really try this. By the way, lucky Lee is on his way to Alaska for salmon fishing. Aren't those guys at Reeds great?

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr,Jr.

Lindy Tackle

[dockehr]

Northlander, you've got mail.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle

[ccarlson]

Dockehr,

Good to know on the update date. I'll definately try that tomorrow. It doesn't sound like I have a widespread problem or trait of that particular unit by the responses on this board so I'm assuming I'll get a fix from Lowrance.

I agree that Reed's and their staff have been a great addition to the area but terrible on my bank account!

ccarlson

[Northlander]

DaBeak and Doc thanks a lot for the info on my e-mail! I really appreciate guys like you with knowledge who are willing to share with guys like me.

Doc I sent ya one back with some more questions I hope you can answer them when ya get time. Thanks again!

[ccarlson]

UPDATE:

Just got off the phone with Lowrance and they are sending me an MMC card that will update my unit. Apparently the update solves a problem where some of the LGC 2000 GPS Modules (blue connector types) were pre-maturely going into a sleep mode.

Although the rep I spoke with said my specific problem was not one he had heard, we speculated that the update will solve my problem as well since it is a gps module response issue.

Anyone else having problems - the lowrance number in the US is: 800-324-1356

ccarlson

[dockehr]

ccarlson, I'm sure you'll let us know if the LGC-2000 update fixes your problem. Either way it keeps the rest of us on our toes. Also, thanks for bringing it to everyone's attention that the update(s) are available on mmc cards for those without computers and mmc/sd card readers. Good luck.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle