iFinder H2OC Help Needed...

[slicerboy]

I just puchased the h2o, opened up the package, popped in the battery....

No satellite signal? Is this normal? I am trying this outdoors. I haven't ventured much farther than my driveway and have clear view of the sky. Still no luck.

Do I call Lowrance???

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I had the same problem with my H20 unit. Go to the GPS setup and there should be a box that either says "require WAAS" or "require DGPS", if a box that has either of those checked uncheck it and you should get a signal pretty quick even indoors.

[slicerboy]

checked that... didn't work. In my frustration, contacted Lowrance and they gave me an RMA number... this sucks!!! I'm hitting the ice this weekend and Mille Lacs trip next weekend. Looks like I will be GPS'ing by my memory and mr. wilson's tree and the house over there.... this sucks!!!!!

[Surface Tension]

slicerboy, thats a bummer. I wouldn't give up till I've exhausted all my options. Look around on the Ice or Equipment forum for the procedure to reboot your H20, ya just never know. Good Luck.

[LMITOUT]

When you go to the satellite screen, you see no signal strength on any satellite? Is it even trying or is the unit set to "indoor mode" where it saves on batteries by not trying to acquire a signal? It may be something you've already checked but I had to ask just in case....

[Cliff Wagenbach]

You also may not have waited long enough for the GPS to orientate itself! Sometimes it will take at least 5 to 10 minutes the first time. After that it will work fine.

Cliff

[slicerboy]

I didn't try the 5 - 10 minute wait... I will try that. I did figure out how to reset/reboot the darn thing. I'm not giving up yet, but it will be shipped back on Monday if I don't get it working. Thanks for the tips and I will take any other suggestions.

[Captain B.R.K]

Did you try to initialize the unit to your location? When this is done, it allows for your unit to pick up the satelites above you a bit faster.

Lets us know how it goes.

[slicerboy]

I did try to initialize the GPS by picking my general area. Still no luck. This is just crazy. You would think that for the amount of money these cost, they would work. Again this item was brand new. The only thing I did was insert batteries... I've talked to the vendor and they will exchange it once I return it. Why cant they send me another one and I then send the defective one back

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Probably a dumb question, but are the batteries in right?

Or maybe you just have bad batteries!??

Cliff

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Did you see any boxes I referred to in my first post? Did you need to uncheck it? If so you probably just need to wait for the satelites to locate the unit like others said. I know others who had slow units (including myself) that did this and it solved the problem.

[slicerboy]

the unit powers up - just no satellites show - i did check the menus and nothing needed to be unchecked. I'm going to take it with tomorrow when I go fishing to see if miraculously it starts working... I'll let you all know what happens.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Are you running it in easy or advanced mode? it needs to be in advanced mode to make changes.

Hope you get it figured out I know how frustrating it is to get your new toy only to find out it doesnt work.

[marine_man]

Unfortunately this isn't unheard of...

iffwalleyes purchased a I finder Hunt... and ended up crushing the screen on his first one, shipped it into Lowrance for replacement, got the replacement unit back and it took about 2 hours to acquire a signal, and if you shut it off it took another 2 hours to reaquire it's position...

He ended up shipping it back and getting another one which has been working flawlesly since...

marine_man

[slicerboy]

Took it out to my favorite hot spot and it never connected up with the satelites. I did show a signal from one satellite, but it must be broken. Looks like I'm returning it for a new one...

[slicerboy]

Shipping this out today via UPS... I won't have a replacement until sometime next week. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the advice.

[slicerboy]

Received my replacement H2O on Friday... what a difference. This one locked on in about 2 - 3 minutes the first time and it has been taking about 10 - 20 seconds ever since. At it works indoors too

We're heading up to the big pond today and I have loaded road maps from here to there. Should be interesting to see how well this thing works. Plus we are meeting someone and he's taking us out about a mile and I would like to mark my new fishing hot spot. I'm pretty excited about using my new toy...

[kdawg]

these things are the "cats-meow". You can sit in the house, pull up a lake, look for spots you think will be productive, mark 'em all while inside your toasty-warm house, then head out from your garage, turn on the gps and let it guide to the lake access. I just did this the other day, went to a lake access I've never been to and fished a spot I've never seen before. Way too cool. Especially for guys who easily get lost or off-track (not like I'm one of them). Good luck, you are gonna LOVE using this.

[Bob Horn]

Glad to see that thinks worked out for you and you stayed with the company. I have a garmin176 so I have no clue to this question I was asked by a friend of mine. What is the difference in the H2o and hunt? He is looking to get it for travel and boat/hunting.

[PierBridge]

iFINDER Hunt has these features.

Exclusive, hunting-specific graphic icons.

Built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter.

Built-in microphone for recording voice notes.

Realtree Hardwood camo case designed specifically for hunters.

[slicerboy]

this thing is awesome... my buddy has a garmin and it only marks waypoints. That feature is great. But the mapping capabilities of the new GPS systems is really the icing on the cake. I cannot believe how sophisticated this little thing is. I marked a couple of spots and was able to map out the surrounding area. Just crazy!!!

The first one was defective. I wonder why...

[not_nuf_time]

I also just bought an h20 like it and all, but put in batteries started messing with it and they wore down in about 10min., no lie. So I went and bought some Duracell Alkalin, checked power and it said full. Messed around for another 10 min and power was at about 3/4. I heard they really ate batteries, but that rediculous. I hope they last longer than I'm seeing. Any Replies.

[MuskyNutz]

I too heard the alkaline batteries lasted longer. It don't much matter it just sucks the juice right out of 'em. Had the most luck with Energizer L3 or something for electronics. About half again as much as a six back of regulars. Use the power cord as much as possible!

Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't.

[slicerboy]

Using the external power is the best way to go. The thing does eat batteries with the backlight on. I set my delay to like 10 seconds, it can be a pain, but it does help save on the batteries. I'm done looking at what I need to see in that time anyway.