Lowrance HDS 5 GPS keypad locks up

[meerkat]

The keypad on my HDS 5 GPS keeps locking up. Has anyone had the same problem and figured a solution?

It powers up and works fine to start but then the keypad locks up. The screens are still there and functioning but the keypad does not work. You cannot even switch it off. If you unplug it, leave it for a while and plug it back in it works again.

Don't know if it has anything to do with it but it has been really hot on the lake and the GPS sits in the sun and gets hot to the touch???

Anyway - the lowrance website gives three steps to fix it:
Download latest software
Soft reset
Hard reset

I did all of those in sequence and I still have the same problem.

If those dont work Lowrance says to fill out a return authorization. I am really reluctant to send them back the GPS since this HDS 5 is actually a replacement for the 527 I originally bought and had to return because the sonar did not work. And it took them about 6 months to finally get a replacement unit to me.

I would appreciate any advice!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Lowrance HDS 5 GPS keypad locks up

I would have expected the latest firmware to fix it.
Check and make sure you have good 12 volts coming to the unit.
It should be 12.6 volts to 15 volts range.
Maybe turn on the voltage overlay and see what voltage unit reports.

 

[Jason Gilstrap Lowrance]

Re: Lowrance HDS 5 GPS keypad locks up

You need call in CS dept and get a RA # and send it in. Turn round on that unit shouldn't be that long.

 

[meerkat]

Re: Lowrance HDS 5 GPS keypad locks up

Thank for the comeback. Someone told me to check the input voltage which I will do first before I send it back. If the voltage was a problem I will come back to you on this post.

 

[meerkat]

Re: Lowrance HDS 5 GPS keypad locks up

Followed Boatist's advice and turned on the supply voltage overlay. Voltage is 13.1 so that is not the problem. I will follow advice from Jason Gilstrap, get the RMA# and send it in for replacement. The unit is registered with Lowrance and is still under warranty.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Lowrance HDS 5 GPS keypad locks up

please come back and let us know how long it takes to get thru and get your RMA number and also how long it takes to get the unit back.

I am a Lowrance fan and looking at the HDS 7 and HDS 8 but have heard a lot about poor customer service. Also I have not been able to find a map that has buoys and depth readings in the Ocean and inland harbor.

Good Luck.

 

[Jason Gilstrap Lowrance]

Re: Lowrance HDS 5 GPS keypad locks up

If have any trouble with your RA or have any question after you talk to CS dept. just PM

 

[meerkat]

Re: Lowrance HDS 5 GPS keypad locks up

So far the response has been pretty good.

I emailed them about the problem on Friday Jul 9 and got a response Monday Jul 12 telling me to send the unit in & asking for my info so they could give me a RA number.

On Tues Jul 13 I got the RA number and information to send the unit back.

In their email they say 3 - 4 weeks turn around which does not leave me with a warm fuzzy feeling - but we will see.

I will send it today & post when I get it back.

In the meantime I guess I am back to navigating with a map and compass...

 

[meerkat]

Re: Lowrance HDS 5 GPS keypad locks up

I got the unit back July 21st so that is just under 2 weeks from the time I first emailed them about the problem till I had the new unit in my hands.

In addition they have given me a 2 year warranty on the unit from the time they sent me the replacement unit.

That is pretty good and a dramatic improvement from my experience last year! I guess people can change!