Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

[stevens]

Hi guys,<br /><br />My two seasons' worth of experience with the Lowrance LMS 330C combo unit has not been overwhelmingly positive. I.e., it's great when it works, but too often it does not.<br /><br />At first, the boat dealer hadn't realized he had to hook up the power for both the main unit and the GPS antenna, so the electronics dealer had to come and fix it after I would just get the "GPS unit not responding" message.<br /><br />Now, we have had problems many times that the depth sounder stops responding. It just locks up on some depth and just doesn't start back up. It is not like when I am going too fast and the depth number just starts to blink on the last depth it had a fix on. Turning the unit off and on again usually fixes the problem.<br /><br />Then, today, I again got the same "GPS unit not responding" message. Has happened a few times before. Tried turning off & on a few times to no avail. Then unplugged unit completely, turned back on and it worked again.<br /><br />Are these common problems to these units? Does it sound like it is time to get a new one before the warranty expires?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

If all your connections are clean and tight I would get it replaced while its still under warranty.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Lawrence should to make good equipment but it seems like they’ve gone astray as of late. Most of the guys in our fishing club got tired of all the problems and switched over to Gamin GPS systems and either Furuno or Raymarine DF

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Sounds like the unit needs a sofware upgrade have you talked to Lowrance yet?<br /><br />I have the 332c and it's awesome.

 

[stevens]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Hi guys, and thank you for the responses.<br /><br />I did talk to the retailer but with little help to be had.<br /><br />The importer/agent on the other hand was very helpful. I've sent the whole unit off to them, expecting they'll either fix, replace or upgrade it.<br /><br />It turns out the retailer probably gave me the wrong type transducer. Also, provided there's nothing else that is wrong, both the main unit and the gps unit will probably need software upgrades.<br /><br />They also said that they hadn't heard of these specific problems before and that they wanted to send the unit off to headquarters in the US so that they could investigate this.<br /><br />At least I was given the impression that they take this seriously.<br /><br />I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Thanks again.

 

[FishyFun]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Call this guy at Lowrance, Luke Morris, 918 438 8710. He is THEE man to talk to!!!!<br /><br /><br />lee

 

[stevens]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Lee - Thanks for the lead. Good to have should the process with the local importer not go as hoped for.<br /><br />How about that; Norway, Iowa! I think I've seen your town on a TV documentary a few times, and it seems that some of your neighbours are better at keeping up the Scandinavian traditions than we are back here.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks again.

 

[stevens]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Update - I finally got a hold of someone at the importer. The unit has been checked by LEI in the US and they found nothing wrong with it...<br /><br />The transducer, however, is probably of the wrong kind and the GPS antennae has since had a few software updates.<br /><br />They offered to send the unit back to me with the same GPS unit and a new transducer, or to upgrade to a LMS332 (same but with better screen) for approx. USD 480 (I think this may be their net cost).<br /><br />I am not very impressed by this. Are my expectations wrong, or are they just being cheap? Any views on how Lowrance would have handled this in the US?

 

[Bill-MO]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

If there isn't anything wrong with the unit I don't see what it is you want them to do. The software upgrades are free, just install the correct transducer. All the transducers compatible with that unit are on their website.

 

[navigator336]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

I have had the same experience with Lowrance on a Global Map 2000. The unit was new in 1999. I bought the boat in 2001 and found the GPS unreliable (similar problems to yours). I sent the unit back to them and they replaced the main screen and board. I still had the intermittent problem. I told them I suspected the antenna. And sent the unit back to them along with the antenna. They tested it again and said it was fine. I was adamant the antenna was likely bad. They said the antenna was no longer available but I might find one from dealer stock. They offered a new model at a "discount" price if I wanted. The discounted price was a few dollars less than what I could get it for on the internet. I asked them to send the unit back. When it arrived, miraculously a brand new antenna was included with it. The GPS has worked flawlessly now for 3 years. However, this Global Map had the separate SAM unit for sonar. The module went bad two years ago, and of course Lowrance no longer makes the module. As I have the thru-hull transducer on a boat in a slip, I ended up buying a used Lowrance fishfinder which would work with the transducer. On the occasions I talked to their tech support, I was given the impression that if I got two years of use out of it, well, its old technology now. I would not be inclined to buy another Lowrance product.

 

[stevens]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Thanks for your responses so far. Here's how I see it:<br /><br />They have sold me a unit that came with the wrong transducer and has had intermittent problems with both the sounder and the GPS. There have been expenses in both installing the wrong transducer, shipping, and now in pulling the wrong one off and putting a new one on.<br /><br />Although they can't find anything wrong with the unit, it is a fact that it has had intermittent problems. If they can't find the problem, they for sure haven't fixed it.<br /><br />I would have expected them to send me, free of charge, a new up-to-date unit complete with the correct transducer and gps antennae. Ideally, I would have expected them to compensate me for the expenses incurred as well.<br /><br />What do you think, would this be reasonable?

 

[DangerDan]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Here's the best way to fix that problem. As soon as you get your GPS/FF back from repair/diagnostics. put it on Ebay!! I'm not suprised you found that they did'nt know about the problems you suffer with your unit. (loosing a fix on depth, inconsistant readings ) Many have had the same story when it comes to tech. assistance and repair. This problem seems to be inherent to every Eagle/Lowrance FF I've ever seen in a boat. All may not experience this "blinking" when the unit looses a fix on the depth or seen the inconsistant displays but I myself have. I've witnessed both on my unit and others as well. Like a previous poster said. Consider another brand. I certainly will when it comes time to replace my unit.

 

[navigator336]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Stevens,<br /><br />I would insist on a new GPS antenna. I am certainly not an electronics expert, but I believe when the main display says, "GPS not responding" and then following a power down and repower, it works, it is a circuit problem with the antenna (not software). <br /><br />When I asked Lowrance about how they tested for an intermittent problem, I was told they let the unit run for over an hour. This obviously, is unlikely to find an intermittency. On the sonar, hopefully the new transducer will make the problem tolerable.<br /><br />I like you, would expect a good company to make things right for their customer. Unfortunately, I doubt they'll give you the latest version. I think, they will give you a new antenna though.

 

[stevens]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Update: They ended up sending me the same unit back, with a new transducer and a new GPS antennae. They forgot to update the software so they'll be sending me a chip so I can do it myself (Edit: no updates were available). The antennae is of their latest type, called "Stealth", and is supposedly unencumbered by faults so far.<br /><br />Now I just have to convince the electronics dealer to reinstall this for free...<br /><br />I'll post back here next summer when I've tried it out on the water again.<br /><br />Thanks for all your input, guys.

 

[AndyL]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

I have always held Lowrance in High regard but I think now they are trying to produce new models and discontinue old ones faster than they can resolve problems with last years model. I bought a 335cdf 18months ago(now discontinued) which locks up occasionally but more than that it doesn't work as the manual says it should. After mailing Lowrance they say its a known software problem with Navionics gold charts, and they will produce a fix sometime. As yet still nothing although I see the new models of this year had software fixes issued almost as soon as they were on the shelves. I still think they are a good machine however as I bought a Furuno LS6000 which was dead out of the box and have still yet to have the unit returned after 3 years. <br /><br />Just me whinging really.<br />Andy

 

[stevens]

Re: Lowrance LMS 330C - these problems common? *Update*

Latest update: We had the first trip out two days ago after winter finally ended. Tried the same LMS330C unit that in the meantime had been factory-checked and equipped with the proper GPS antennae and the right transducer.<br /><br />The same problems reappeared within the first two hours of use.<br /><br />I called the importer, who told me to bring it in to the local dealer the next day and they would solve the problem. And, yes, today the dealer had waiting for me a new LMS334CiGPS unit, and I just had to pay a nominal charge for the upgrade.<br /><br />To their credit, they came to my rescue in the end. I think this will work out well.