Lowrance 337 GPS Question

[shouldbefishn]

Any of you have a problem getting a WASS correction signal on your Lowrance 337(same as 332)? When I set the unit to require WASS it loses the signal. This happens constantly. I never get it to show a WASS signal. Lowrance has no answers. They say uou may not be in a position to get the satelite. This is not true as I work extensively with Agricultural GPS equipment in Iowa and Minnesota and getting a WASS signal anywhere is not a problem. I feel Lowrance has a problem. Is it just my unit or are others experiencing the same?

Thanks

[PerchJerker]

Never had that issue with my 332, it works like a champ.

Try updating the software for your 337 and for your gps module if you haven't done that already. The downloads are on Lowrance's site under Products and Software.

Good luck with your unit.

[shouldbefishn]

PerchJerker

If you check the require WASS box in the GPS setup window does it maintain a signal?

[PerchJerker]

I always have mine in WAAS

Updated:

shouldbefishin - my bad, I got confused with one of my handheld gps' that has a menu setting for "enable waas", meaning the unit will look for waas satelites all the time. Apparently that puts more of a drain on the batteries and that's why it's an option.

Re: my 332, I do not have the "require waas" box checked. If you check it you are telling the unit to not give you any gps info unless waas is locked on. I don't remember the exact particulars of waas but I think there's only 10 or so waas satelites and they're in orbit over the equator, so very low in the horizon for our location and not always visible.

I frequently look at the satellite status page on my 332, it marks the satelites it can see and puts an asterisk by the ones that are waas enabled, and gives you a position error. Even in my garage with the doors closed I can get 3D positioning with a 30-50 foot error, but I don't get waas satelites in there. Out on the water the positon error drops below 30 feet and I don't worry about it - sometimes it's in waas, sometimes it's in 3D. I don't check that closely but I believe the waas lock comes and goes.

Hope this helps. If you uncheck the waas required box does it work like it should? Check the position error when you're on the water and moving.

Also, if you haven't updated the software for the gps puck you should - it might chase away any gremlins you have in there causing trouble.

Hope this helps.

[shouldbefishn]

Thanks for the info. I have not updated the puck so I will try that. The position seems to be "OK" but it bothers me why I can not ever get a WASS correction. Like I said earlier, Agriculture GPS hardware uses WASS and has to have a corrected signal to operate correctly. The devises I work with rarely lose a WASS lock. Should be able to get it in most midwest locations. The WASS satelites are stationary satelites and I believe there are only 2. Thanks Again

[ChuckN]

FYI- There are a lot of complaints with the 337 units this year with the internal antenna. A lot of people have returned them and went to the 332 with external GPS puck.

[PerchJerker]

I think the 337 is the dual frequency version of the 332, the 334 is the one with the internal antenna.

[ScottND]

The internal antennas are being disturbed by the display lighting. If you turn the light down a notch they work better. Better than that is to get a replacement unit from Lowrance now that they know the problem. I just got mine and it works great compared to the "disturbed" unit.

[shouldbefishn]

You are correct PerchJerker. The 337 has dual sonar frequency and has the external antanae. The only reason I have the 337 is that Cabelas was out of 332's when I ordered it. I downloaded the update for the receiver but have not updated the unit yet.

The unit gets a position quick and holds it, just not a WASS corrected signal. Maybe I am being too anal but for what this equipment costs it should do what is advertised.

[ChuckN]

Oops! got them mixed up, my bad..

I have noticed on my 25C (still learning all the features)that WAAS isn't always locked in, but it really hasn't bothered me too much. I have played with the features of selecting WAAS only on my unit and it would lose the signal at times. If I put it in auto mode where WAAS would be acquired, but not "only" WAAS it works fine.