Lowrance Users - Update Your Software!!!

[PerchJerker]

Just wanted to make sure you're all aware that in the last month or two Lowrance put new software version updates on their site for all/most of their gps units and antennas. You can download the new software to a SD card and update your gps, both permanent mounts and handhelds. If you have a permanent mount with external antenna make sure you update to the latest software for the antenna too.

On their site go to Products, then Software, then Updates. From there just follow the directions. Good luck.

[HaywardBound]

Thanks for the post!

Any idea what the update does?

[carlcmc]

i'd be interested to know anyones experience with this and the 330-c

[PerchJerker]

I updated all my Lowrance gps when I bought them, now there is another new version of the software.

There is a little info for each update that explains what is covered in the new update, I know for the units that are LowranceNet capable it added some functionality like sharing some (not all) waypoints over the network. Not sure what it does in the handheld units.

[fish2live]

how do you go about getting the downloads on to the unit? mine did not come with any pc cables.

[HoleHopper]

I just called Lowrance. They said they will send the MMC card with the update free of charge for my H20 as long as I return it within 30 days. All they needed was a credit card number just in case I did'nt return it.

There customer service # is 1-800-324-1356. Be prepared to wait a half hour for a live person! They said they will send it out right away. Great customer service!

[MasterClear]

Looks to me like the most major change is to provide support for the new Day Light Savings Time. Not extremely important here but the tide tables for coastal users are affected.

[PerchJerker]

Quote:

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how do you go about getting the downloads on to the unit? mine did not come with any pc cables

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You need a blank SD card and a card writer connected to your PC. Download the software to the card, put the card in your GPS, and let it go from there. Or as HoleHopper said, contact Lowrance for a card with the update on it.

[Ryan_V]

I bought the card....but after an hour of it loading, following the instructions on the web site, nothing on the card!!! any ideas anyone. it said download complete, so I put the card in the gps and fired it up, nothing. so I checked the card, and it's empty. help!!!

[PierBridge]

Even on a dial up Internet connection it should not have taken an hour.

Did you use the web installer "Install Shield" at the top of Page?

When it confirmed where the download was going are you sure it was where the SD card was located? For instance my SD card reader is on drive G.

If your computer experiences problems with the web installer, try using a stand-alone installer it's located on the middle of the page select your operating system and try again.

I have succesfully loaded the update for your I-Finder Pro using both methods.

[ScoutII]

I think that Lowrance software updates require Java program to load a card.

[Ryan_V]

I'll try again today after work. I do have java on the computer, so it should have worked, it's nowhere to be found on my computer anywhere!!! Maybe I'll try and load it to the computer and then x-fer it to the card.

[delcecchi]

do you need the special card and reader that lowrance sells in order to install updates? Or can you use a generic SD card and reader like I have for my camera? I know you need the special one for map create.

[Ryan_V]

I just used the built in card reader on my computer and got it to work after a little bit of trouble. so you shouldn't need the lowrance one.

[anyfishwilldo]

I just went and looked at the HSOforum, and the update was not for the H2OC. Does anyone know what the update does?

[PerchJerker]

TTT -- just a reminder

[iffwalleyes]

Thanks Perch got my updates. I am ready to update now.

[picksbigwagon]

I am still waiting for my new H2Oc to show up. Ordered it online, great price, but I have been waiting for a month. now I am backordered again..........ugh, but I will update

[sparkyaber]

dumb question: the only sd card adapter I have is actually my cameras. I have 2 nikons that use an sd card. Can I use the camera as the medium between the computer and the lowrance? Hooking up the camera with the usb adapter and load the upgrade onto the camera (sd card) and then move it to the lowrance unit?

[marine_man]

Can you move files from your computer to your camera?

I know I can't, but I've got an older camera... I can only move files from my camera to my computer, not vice versa.

The other trouble might be the formatting that is required by your camera on the SD card - it might not get along real well with your GPS.

marine_man

[DEADhead]

Quote:

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Can I use the camera as the medium between the computer and the lowrance?

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If you have a device that can used as a USB flash drive, where you can save directly to your SD/MMC memory card, it will work. I do not have a card reader on my PC and this is what I did to upgrade my H2Oc:

My cell phone uses a Micro SD card; it came with an adapter available to fit into the normal SD slot on most devices. I hooked my cell phone up to my computer and connected as a USB drive. I dragged and dropped the Lowrance update file into the Folder recognized by my PC as the External Portable Drive. I disconnected the cell phone from my PC, removed the Micro SD card from the phone, inserted it into the adapter piece, and installed the card into my GPS and updated the unit.

Even though my wife's laptop has an SD card reader built in, I'm glad I found this alternative way to use my cell phone as a card reader, especially when she has her PC with her and it is not available to use. Hope this helps!

[Paul]

The Update with make the GPS Speedometer more precise, in intervals of 1/2 mph.

[Fish Head]

I called Lowrance yesterday. They told me the GPS on my 18c is current, but there is an update from 12/06 for my 332c. They are sending me a MMC card to update it. I only paid for the Fed Ex shipping which was $7.95 and the updated card is free. They said they might start charging for it because so many people aren't sending the MMC cards back to them after updating their unit.

[sparkyaber]

Tried the camera trick today- worked like a champ. even with the camera junk on the hd card, it still read only the lowrance info.

[FWA]

Lowrance/GPS related story:

I sent my 334-LMS last month for repair and after hearing nothing from them, I finally inquired last week. They replied saying that my unit was non-pairable and that I would be getting a replacement. However, those are on backorder.

I guess I will email them back and make sure the replacement is fully updated...

[dhaman]

I have a Lowrance ifinder model and would like to use a navionics hot map chip. I went to Lowrance web site and downloaded the most current version for my unit. I can see the different files on the chip but can not load the files, am I doing something wrong or is this unit not able to use this chip?