Graph question

[Scoot]

OK, here's my latest hair brained idea- I want to replace my X-15 on the bow with a color graph that has gps and takes a Lakemaster chip. I have a 332c on the dash. I love everything about this unit, but I don't like the price tag. What unit can I put on my dash that will be 1) color, 2) graph/gps combo, and 3) take a Lakemaster chip, and 4)cost less than a 332C or 334C?

I'm willing to go a little smaller in the screen, but not much.

BTW, I realize what I'm saying is that I want an expensive graph for very little money.

Any suggestions welcome!!!

[iffwalleyes]

You probably are not going to be able to find one for less but what I did that made it cheaper. You can buy a 332 without anything from cabelas for $399. Then you can do the lowrance network for to run the GPS off of 332 that you have at the console and hook the new 332 to your old transducer from the 15 they should work. That is what I will be doing with mine this spring I have everything I just need to rig it. I think it cost around $60 for the network stuff you need. I found a 332 without anything in Bargins Cave for $300 that is always a good place to look.

[caseymcq]

The 332C uses a Transducer with the blue conection, I don't think you will be able to hook it up to the grey conection from the LCX-15.

I would agree with iffwalleyes, I don't think you will find anything cheaper than a 332C that is color and still takes a chip. The m68c is smaller but it doesn't take a chip. If you have a Minkota bowmount with Universal Sonar you could buy the unit without the transducer and buy the adapter for $15 - $20 and then tap into the GPS antenna with a Lowarnce Net conection like walleyes said.

Let us know what you end up doing. I am always interested in hearing about how people rig their boats.

Good Luck.

[iffwalleyes]

I know it takes the blue connector but this is why I think they will work with each other. My universal sonar on the Minnekota uses the same connector for the grey and blue connectors according to the litte adapter box. I ask a salesman and he said that he thought they would work. Granted it was a salesman. The power cords between blue and grey are different though. So I am going to see if the grey connector works it might not. But the whole universal sonar is what has gotten me to thinking it will.

When I am all said and done it will be a sweet set up. I have a LCX 20 at the console right now with the GPS. I am going to do all my connections for the network under the console and run a 15' extension cable to the bow and put a set of hook ups up there for the 332. The I will also drop another power cord at the console for the 332. Depending on how I am fishing sometimes I want to get a the console so in those situation I will run my 332 as the depthfinder and the LCX 20 as just a GPS. With the networking I will have to do a little switch of connectors to make this work but it won't be a big deal. You can't have a open end on the network or it won't work. So when I run both units at the console I will have to disconnect the 15' extension cable under the console and put on one of the 120mhz terminal ends. It will be pretty easy to do with the setup I have. The network is a really slick little system. To make this work with the set up I have you need 3 t connectors, 3 2' extension cables, 1 15' extension cable, and 2 terminal ends look in your boxes you probably already have some of this stuff. You can buy a network starter kit that has another t connector and the terminals ends and I think one extension cable. I think I had to buy a little more because I 20 didn't have any of this kind of equipment. But the network will work with any blue connector units.

[PerchJerker]

If you don't care if your new unit is LowranceNet compatable, look at the Eagle color sonar/gps units. I don't know the specific model numbers, but you will get essentially all the performance and most of the features of the Lowrance units but at a lower price. And they take map chips.

I assume you realize you can connect your units in a network, so if you buy a new 332 for your bow you can network off the gps antenna you already have and save yourself a couple hundred bucks going that route? But you'll probably have to buy some network components. Good luck.

[PerchJerker]

Quote:

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You can't have a open end on the network or it won't work. So when I run both units at the console I will have to disconnect the 15' extension cable under the console and put on one of the 120mhz terminal ends. It will be pretty easy to do with the setup I have.

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iffwalleyes -

Have you done this wiring yet??? If not, STOP! You're making it more difficult than you need!!!!

You have to have the ENDS of the network terminated, but you can have an "open" connector in the MIDDLE of the network.

I move a 332c between my bow and my kicker depending on how I am fishing. Each location has it's own power cable, transducer, network cable, and T connector in the middle of the network. One of these network connections for that 332c is always open, sometimes both of them are open. The network works perfectly like this, all I need to do is move the 332c (RAM mounts at both locations) and make the connections at the back of the 332c. Very quick and simple.

The only concern is that the unconnected cable ends are more susceptible to corrosion and dirt.

The Lowrance literature is not very clear about how this works, and I got conflicting answers from their tech staff before I elevated the issue with them. I still wasn't sold on their answers but made a leap and rigged my boat like I described. Works great, very flexible and versatile and there's no messing around with any connections other than at the back of the unit.

[Scoot]

Thanks for the info, fellas. I'm considering both of the options presented- networking vs. an Eagle. Also, given that the 332's and 334's will be going on sale very soon (new electronics), I may just buy one of them. The Eagle units may or may not be going on sale (at least from what I'm hearing-- the Eagle 502C that is).

Given that I have a trolling motor with universal sonar- I'll likely buy a 334 for the front of the boat. Thanks again for your help.

P.S. IFF- Lowrance told us that the X-15 connections would not work for our 332. Despite this, 1 1/2 years later we haven't had a problem with them.

[iffwalleyes]

Hey sweet man thanks no I had not bought the parts yet. I was just going off what the people at Lowrance were telling me. I guess I won't listen the them anymore I should know better.

Ya Scoot I am not sure it it will work or not but with the universal sonar and 332 hopefully everything works right. Otherwise I will be down to looking for different transducer.