What kind of distance error to expect with a LMS 332?

[shouldbefishn]

Just got my 332 powered up and it is reading about a 26ft distance error with WAAS. Is this to be expected or should it be better? What is everyone else getting?

[dockehr]

shouldbefishn, a few days ago I did a google search of the term "WAAS". The resulting sites were rather informative.

The short version: two WAAS enabled satellites covering the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Ground correction stations placed throughout the country. System was set up for aviation. Increased ground-level accuracy away from the coastal regions is somewhat iffy. What I could not verify is that more satellites would be added in the future to enhance ground-level accuracy as per posts that appeared in the past. Anyway, it's a starting point for you. If your "initial" reading is taken while on a driveway or shaded location while the orbiting satellites are not in the best reltionships to your location will result in poorer accuracy even with WAAS than say the reading taken out on a lake while the orbiting satellites are aligned in a way to give a better fix of your location.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle

[Umma Gumma]

Distance error with my LMS 330 was about the same, somewhere between 25 and 29 ft.

[LocalGuide]

On my 3500C it was around 17ft error. And that was up to 25' and down to about 15'. If the WAAS is not enabled then its much higher. But mine is in the neighborhood of 20' id say.

[MedicineMan]

My error is usually in the area of 12-15'.

[musky hunter]

I think the error is maybe a little more like 50'. I have an LMS332C and run the St. Louis River. Occasionally, it will put me on the wrong side of a bouey, but most times it's right on. I do not know how accuratly the boueys are placed, or how much they can drift, but the Coast Guard must have better eqipment than I for locating these things. I did hit a sumberged log while following a trail earlier this spring. No problems going out, thump coming in and I was right on the track. While it's very good, a little can mean a lot.

[Scoot]

FYI- the different gps brands all offer the same amount of error for measuring position (assuming you're talking about the same technology- i.e. both are WAAS enabled). The only difference between Lowrance, Magellan, etc. is that they use a different formula to calculate accuracy. So, if some people are reporting more accurate readings than you're getting, don't sweat it- they're actually no more accurate than you are.

All the modern units are very accurate. However, if you need to be within a couple of feet, no unit will meet this need.

[backlash 1]

What I have found on my 332c is it makes a world of difference what zoom range your on when you're in gps mode. If you're following the line trail, you must be zoomed in all the way, otherwise you will be off!

[blacksheep]

most units are dead on. i have spoken with lowrance people about there error numbers, and they said that most of the time they are right on, the number in the corner of your screen is just the worst case scenerio for that moment. i have tested on dry land with fixed points in a vehicle as suggested by the lowrance rep. he was right. FYI they do make gps systems available to the public that are sub - meter accurate.........but they are something like $12g.

[Whoaru99]

Yes, there are some very accurate GPS systems available. The RTK-type GPS systems can be accurate to ~1 cm.

[Captain B.R.K]

I could be wrong here, but the graph isn't always in WAAS mode from the first time you get your exact coordinates. If you hit the PAGE button and go to the STATUS menu, you will see what satellietes you are connected with, and you will see a 2D, 3D and WAAS status in the top right corner. There will be a little star on the top of the satelliete bar if you are connect plus the WAAS mode will be highlighted.

Normally I'm in the 2D or 3D. I have only been in the WAAS mode maybe 2 times out of the many times I've been on the water.

I to have had the same type of distance (17-27ft) difference from my location on a lake in relation to where it says I'm on the lake. But if it is around 17ft, my boat is 16ft and I normally get on the spot then.

Good Luck.

[blacksheep]

antenna placement goes a long way also.

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Normally I'm in the 2D or 3D. I have only been in the WAAS mode maybe 2 times out of the many times I've been on the water.

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brk, that just doesn't seem right. i would really look at where your reciever is placed. you should have no problem consistantly locking up with WAAS.

[Whoaru99]

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antenna placement goes a long way also.

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Normally I'm in the 2D or 3D. I have only been in the WAAS mode maybe 2 times out of the many times I've been on the water.

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brk, that just doesn't seem right. i would really look at where your reciever is placed. you should have no problem consistantly locking up with WAAS.

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I'd agree. My handheld normally locks in on WAAS within a minute or two of power-on.